This little-known tower was the first of the south coast towers to be lost; being near the harbour mouth, it was claimed by the sea. It is believed that no effort was taken to garrison it, and was abandoned in 1809.1 Barely a year after completion, this was due to coastal erosion following the removal of a groyne to the east.2

However, it appears that a pensioner was put in charge of the tower from 1817, (though apparently not in residence) and by March 1822, the tower was splitting:

""A complete breach from 15 to 20 feet high and about 10 feet wide has been made...the whole body of the tower inclined somewhat towards the sea" wrote a concerned John Dumbrill, Clerk of Works at Eastbourne to Sir Alexander Bryce, CRE Sussex District. It is apparent that the local contractor who had bid £220 for the ruin had second thoughts about his bargain!"3

This purchase ties in with a statement by William Cobbett in his 'Rural Rides', which may refer to Tower 29:

"I think I have counted upwards of thirty of these ridiculous things,which, I dare say, cost five, perhaps ten, thousand pounds each; and one of which was, I am told, sold on the coast of Sussex, the other day, for two hundred pounds!"4

The harbour mouth was subject to erosion and deposition of material, and although the tower was washed away, shingle has been deposited since, meaning that the site of Tower 29 is almost a mile inland.

References

  1. Clements, B. Towers of Strength - The Story of Martello Towers (1999) p.37 from PRO WO 78/5138.
  2. Report of Committee on Coast Defences 1870 (PRO WO 33/25) p.26
  3. Pegden, B. Martello Towers and Related Works (part 4) (Ravelin No.46 January 1997, Kent Defence Research Group) Information researched by Mr. M. Saville of Rye Local History Group from PRO WO 44/54 and MPH 1175.
  4. Cobbett, W. Rural Rides (1824) p.306

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