Listed Building record TR 13 SW 60 - MARTELLO TOWER (NO 19)

Summary

A Georgain in date Martello tower number 19 was built in 1806 as part of the coastal defence system against an invasion from Napoleonic France. The tower is now situated within Hythe Firing Range (Monument Number 1531850). Built of brick it has walls 5.5 feet to 6 feet thick which were originally covered by a cement rendering. It was built around a centre column 5 feet thick and consisted of two storeys with a flat roof as a gun platform. In 1962 a field visit recorded the tower in complete and good condition. By 1997 it was described as partially demolished. Only the northern half of the tower now stands and the remainder, including the roof and thick central column, has collapsed as a result of coastal erosion. The tower was visible before its collapse, on historical aerial photographs.

Location

Grid reference TR 1391 3291 (point)
Map sheet TR13SW
District FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE, KENT
Civil Parish HYTHE, SHEPWAY, KENT

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Full Description

Description from record TR 13 SW 15:
[TR 13903291] Martello Tower (No.19) (NR) (1) Complete and in good condition. (2) 1253 The Ranges Martello Tower (No.19) TR 13 SW 8/78C Grade II Erected in 1806 as part of the coastal defence system against an invasion from Napoleonic France. Built of brick with a coating of cement on the outside. The walls are 5.5 to 6ft thick. It is built around a centre column 5ft thick and consists of 2 storeys with a flat roof as a gun platform. (3) TR 139329. Martello No.19 built in 1805. It stands in the middle of the flat land where the Hythe firing ranges are sited. It has an `N' painted on its side, as it is in a danger area used for rifle practice. (4,5)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 1253 THE RANGES
Martello Tower (No 19) TR 13 SW 8/78C
II
2. Erected in 1806 as part of the coastal defence system against an invasion from Napoleonic France. Built of brick with a coating of cement on the outside. The walls are 5½ to 6 ft thick. It is built around a centre column 5 ft thick and consists of 2 storeys with a flat roof as a gun platform.
Listing NGR: TR1555734372 (7)


<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> F1 CFW 05-DEC-1962 (OS Card Reference). SKE42432.

<3> DOE (HHR) Boro of Hythe Kent 21 12 73 (OS Card Reference). SKE39846.

<4> Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 1977 38 (D Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE43679.

<5> Martello Towers 1972 88 (S Sutcliffe) (OS Card Reference). SKE46560.

<6> Field report for monument TR 13 SW 15 - December, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5390.

<7> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources/Archives (7)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1961.
  • <2> OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 05-DEC-1962.
  • <3> OS Card Reference: DOE (HHR) Boro of Hythe Kent 21 12 73.
  • <4> OS Card Reference: Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 1977 38 (D Bennett).
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Martello Towers 1972 88 (S Sutcliffe).
  • <6> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 13 SW 15 - December, 1962.
  • <7> Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

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Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Ref: 71330) (EWX10073)

Record last edited

Dec 3 2021 5:28PM