Built to guard Globsden Gut sluice gates, Tower 27 was the last Martello in Kent, before the chain continued into Sussex. (The Dungeness promontory was not defended with Martellos due to the loose shingle and the fact that the surrounding marshland could be easily flooded, providing a cheaper means of defence.)

The tower was one of the four fitted with semaphore signalling equipment by 1820, the others being Towers 4, 31 and 55.1 By the 1840's, the Coast Guard seemingly occupied the tower. On June 15, 1847, the Chief Boatman of Tower 27 was ordered to dispose of the tower's donkey (used to carry water and stores) as the cost of forage was too high. He was to exchange the animal with another used at Lydd Coast Guard Station (which was deemed too vicious), and sell it at public auction in Dymchurch!2

However, the above story conflicts with the Report on Coast Defences, which states that Tower 27 was "demolished in 1841 in consequence of the advance of the sea."3

References

  1. Sutcliffe, S. Martello Towers (1972) p.159
  2. Shore, Lieutenant Henry N., R.N. Smuggling Days and Smuggling Ways (1892) (1972 reprint) p.233
  3. Report of Committee on Coast Defences 1870 (PRO WO 33/25) p.34

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