In defence of the vulnerable
East Coast during the Napoleonic Wars, 29 Martello Towers were built between
Brightlingsea and Aldeburgh. Jaywick is ‘Tower C’ but was beset with
difficulties during construction owing to the marshy land and sank five feet
into the ground. It took three years to
complete and when finished in 1812 the war was over.
It contains 750,000 bricks which came from Grays and were landed on the beach by flat bottomed barges. Construction could only be done during the summer months because of the difficulties in using lime mortar.
Access was originally to the first floor, the
living quarters designed for 24 musketeers. The ground floor was for storage of
supplies, food and ammunition sufficient for a month’s stay. Many soldiers stayed at Weeley Barracks a few
miles away. The open top, the gun deck,
once held three 24lb cannons and three howitzers. The glass cabin is a later addition intended as
a coastguard lookout.
Thirty-eight
members of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History attended this Friday lunchtime meeting.
Now a museum, Jaywick Martello Tower is open during the summer months.
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