Waiting for the French to invade

Ten thousand of his troops were said to be encamped on the French coast. The Sussex Weekly Examiner (a forerunner of the Sussex Express) had announced the previous year that the Corporation of Seaford had arranged to lease three areas of the Seaford Bay beach to the Government in order that Martello Towers could be built.

Three years earlier the people of Seaford and other Sussex coastal towns were subject to a number of proclamations in order to prepare for invasion. One Act published in 1803 instructed, 'If an Enemy should land upon our Shore, every possible exertion should be immediately made to deprive him of means of subsistence. The Navy will soon cut off his communications with the sea; the Army will confine him to the Shore in such a way as to make it impossible for him to draw any supplies from the adjacent country - in this situation he will be forced to lay down his arms or give battle on disadvantageous terms'.

Local officials were ordered to take a census to list all available resources such as horses, livestock and men who could assist with the plan such as carters and bakers. The wagons of those occupants who lived by the sea, however, were not to be commandeered, but left as a means of escape. Families living within 15 miles of the coast were advised how to escape by wagon; 'As soon as the Alarm is given, pack your blankets, and a change of cloathes (sic) for yourself and your children, in the Coverlid of your bed. Carry also what Meal and Meat and Potatoes (not exceeding one Peck) you may have in the house at the time, but on no account will any article of furniture or heavy Baggage be allowed into the carts. One hour only will be allowed for preparation.' Inhabitants were advised to arrange escape routes and rendezvous points further inland. This must have been worrying times for Seaford people.

Although the Government had originally intended to build three towers at Seaford Bay, only one - Tower 74 was constructed. In 1806 the Sussex Weekly Examiner reported that the military had taken over from local builders to construct them, indicating there was renewed urgency in getting them completed.

There is some confusion as to when the Seaford Tower was built but I am quite sure that due to the threat of invasion, work would have been under way in September 1806 and the tower was certainly completed by October 26, 1807. We know this thanks to another report in the Examiner which states that the towers were a 'powerful line of defence, extending from Seaford Bay to Dover'. It is probable that the Seaford tower was one of the last to be built as it contains integral rainwater channels within it's sturdy walls to channel fresh water into an underground tank and also escape vents from the magazine room to help diffuse the effects of an accidental explosion. These features are missing from earlier towers.

The task of placing the heavy cannon on the roof must have been a fantastic feat of engineering in the days before electricity and hydraulic cranes. But, although the cannon was a powerful and reassuring sign for Seaford people, adjustments had to be made to the tower in October 1809 when it was found impossible to fire upon a vessel closer than half a mile. This indicates that although the Martello Tower cannon never fired a shot in anger (Napoleon surrendered in 1815) there were plenty of practice shots which must have been heard all over the town and rattled the windows of nearby houses such as Corsica Hall. Many years later the local council described the tower as a 'pimple on the face of nature' but I cannot help thinking that, 200 years ago, the people of Seaford thought that the tower provided them with safety from a very real enemy.

l Come and celebrate The Martello Tower's 200th birthday. It is open FREE this weekend from 2.30pm to 4.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) and from 11am to 4.30pm on Sunday. On Sunday you can get a taste of Napoleonic warfare when the First Foot Guards will be drilling and recruiting in the tower moat. Although the cannon on the roof will not be fired there will certainly be noise from these Redcoat guns!

KEVIN GORDON