Kempt Tower, Jersey

Kempt Tower, in La Grande Cueillette, Saint Ouen, Jersey, is also known as Saint Ouen No. 2 and La Grôsse Tou[1] in Jèrriais, and is a Martello tower that the British completed in 1834. It is named for Sir James Kempt, the Master-General of the Ordnance from 1830 to 1834. While governor of Canada, Kempt was involved in the planning for the use of Martello towers to protect the colony.[2] Currently, Kempt Tower serves as the interpretation centre for Les Mielles conservation area.

Design

Kempt Tower has a cam-shaped base, and has a trefoil gun platform. It too has a thicker-walled side facing the sea.[3] It is shorter and wider than its near neighbour, Lewis Tower. The interior of the tower is a doughnut-shaped space around a brick column, and has a curved ceiling. The tower measures 35 ft (11 m) in height and 27 ft (8.2 m) in diameter.[4] The door at ground level represents a modification by the German occupation of the Channel Islands.

The tower itself was armed with a 24-pounder gun and two 24-pounder short guns.[5] In front of the tower there was a paved redoubt that was armed with three 24-pounder guns.

Citations and references

Citations

  1. ↑ Birt, Paul (1985). Lé Jèrriais Pour Tous. Le Don Balleine.
  2. ↑ Sutcliffe (1978), p.132.
  3. ↑ Grimsely (1988), p.43.
  4. ↑ Clements (1999), p.169.
  5. ↑ Clements (1999), p. 89.

References

  • Clements, William H. (1998) Towers of Strength: Story of Martello Towers. (London: Pen & Sword). ISBN 978-0-85052-679-0.
  • Grimsley, E.J. (1988) The Historical Development of the Martello Tower in the Channel Islands. (Sarnian Publications). ISBN 978-0-9513868-0-4
  • Sutcliffe, Sheila (1973) Martello Towers. (Cranbury, NJ: Associated Universities Press).

49°13′16.34″N 2°13′39.29″W / 49.2212056°N 2.2275806°W / 49.2212056; -2.2275806

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