The Invasion Coast
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In this section: pre roman times --- roman times --- the dark ages --- danish & viking --- norman times --- medieval times --- tudor times --- stuart times --- napoleonic times --- second world war

 

British Preparations

1) Flooding
However, in September 1804, William Pitt (Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports), who had been Prime Minister since May, agreed to the Defence Plan 1, the flooding, if necessary, of low land.

 

2) Martello Towers
In October/November, the Privy Council agreed to have 86 MARTELLO TOWERS built, 2 large ones with 11 guns at the east end of the Dymchurch Wall and at Eastbourne, and 84 smaller ones, armed with 18 pounders. They were small round structures, built of brick covered with a sand-cement stucco. The bricks were set in a mixture of hot tallow, lime and ash, which set like iron.

The walls were 14’ thick at the bottom and 8’ at the top, 33’ from ground to parapet. Their entrance was on the middle floor, which also had accommodation for the officers and 24 men. The ground floor, reached by a trap door, had the magazine and stores; and the top floor platform held the guns on a swivel.

3) The Royal Military Canal
In September 1804, a second line of defence was suggested - A CANAL - THE ROYAL MILITARY CANAL - both to act as a moat and for the ease of troop movement. It was to be built from Shorncliffe Barracks to the Rother at Boonsbridge.

Only one lock was needed at Iden and it was opened in September 1808, linking Hythe with the Rother and Rye Harbour.

By April 1809, the Royal Military Canal was virtually finished for navigation and defence, built by soldiers. The canal and its parapets had gun positions at the end of each length, it had a tow path and a Military Road.