After they were decommissioned in the late 1950s, they were used for other activities, and one became Sealand, the self-described "micronation".Maunsell also designed forts for anti-aircraft defence. These were larger installations comprising seven interconnected steel platforms, five carried guns arranged in a semi-circle around the control centre and accommodation — the seventh set further out than the gun towers was the searchlight tower.Three forts were placed in the Mersey. A further three were sited in the Thames estuary: Nore , Red Sands Shivering Sands. During the war the forts shot down 22 aircraft and about 30 flying bombs. They were decommissioned by the MoD in the late 1950s.coordinates : 51°27'44.34"N 0°59'58.85Epictures sources :text source :Artificial Owl recommends: