In 1723, the Royal Navy surveyed the well which had survived the demolition and found it to be 200 feet (61 metres) deep and lined with Portland stone. After further deepening, they were able to extract  “good, soft, sweet and fine” water for the dockyard at Sheerness.
The Royal Navy conducted a survey of the well in 1723, which had withstood demolition and measured 200 feet (61 metres) in depth, featuring Portland stone. Subsequent excavation enabled the extraction of high-quality water, described as “good, soft, sweet and fine”, for the dockyard at Sheerness.