An absolute ships-versus-forts rule fails, as the Raid on the Medway shows. A lone vessel engaging a fort is badly placed, but a task force can concentrate many broadsides and siege mortars against one face while landing troops ashore. A fort must distribute guns across several approaches, whereas multiple ships can focus their artillery. The fleet can therefore create local superiority despite the defenders' fixed position, especially when naval fire supports troops and siege guns ashore.
Notable Point · 43:14-45:05
Why fleets could overwhelm forts in the age of sail
Concentrated ship fire, bomb vessels, and landing troops challenge the simple claim that shore forts automatically defeated sailing warships.