On November 10-12th 1860, this tower suffered the same fate as Tower 71 the previous August: partial destruction from artillery bombardment. A battery of two each of smooth-bore 32-pounders and 68-pounders guns situated at Cooden Down was used for the test, conducted in the presence of the Duke of Cambridge.
As he crossed the marshes by train towards Bexhill, he was greeted by the Pevensey Bay Martellos firing a royal salute. A large crowd of some 5,000 people turned out to watch the proceedings, and after the local constabulary began to have trouble in controlling the situation, the crowd was dispersed as a shot was fired over their heads on the orders of the Duke himself!
The purpose of the test was to compare the smooth-bore guns with those used on Tower 71 the previous August, the smooth-bores found to be incapable of inflicting the sort of damage caused to Tower 71 with a similar number of shots. The tower rubble was used to construct a small shelter on the beach for use by the local coast guard and fishermen. It was known as 'The Bricks', and was demolished in 1920.
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