Seymour Tower

Seymour Tower
L'Avarison, Jersey
Site information
Owner States of Jersey
Condition Intact
Site history
Built 1782 (1782)
Built by Sir Henry Seymour Conway[1]
Garrison information
Garrison Jersey Militia East Division

Seymour Tower is a coastal defence tower built on a rocky tidal island called L'Avarison, located 2 km (1.25 miles) east of the shoreline of Jersey.[1] One can reach it on foot during low tide, but one must take care when walking to or from the tower as the tide comes in very quickly. Jersey Heritage now operates the tower as a holiday rental.[2] (Facilities are minimal. There is some electricity but no running water. Guests must bring back all waste (including bagged toilet waste) for disposal on shore. Guests staying overnight must bring their own sleeping bags and must be accompanied by a registered guide.)

Design

The square-shaped stone tower stands on a wider base that incorporates an artillery platform. Records suggest that these held two 12-pounder (1797), two 24-pounder (1814), or two 32-pounder (1848) guns.

History

The tower was constructed in 1782 following the Battle of Jersey (January 6, 1781), and is one of thirty coastal towers that Conway planned to build. Only 23 towers were built, and Seymour is the only one that is square-shaped rather than round.

On 28 February 1987 two women were riding their horses in the area of Seymour Tower, thick fog decended and the riders became disorientated. Attempts to make their way back to shore were thwarted by the low visibility and the rising spring tide which had filled the gullies and cut them off from the shore. To their dismay the riders discovered that they had been going around in circles and had encountered their own tracks on more than one occasion. The pair, fearing for their lives and for the horses decided to take refuge at Seymour Tower. The horses ascended the steep rock steps leading to the platform of the tower "like lambs"[3] and were soon tethered to the east wall of the tower. The horses were nervous and with the impending high tide the women were concerned that the water would come over the platform. High tide passed and the woman realised that they were relatively safe on the platform. They attempted to gain access to the tower but were unsuccessful. When the women did not arrive back the alarm was raised and emergency services were deployed including the St Catherine's Inshore Lifeboat

In film and media

The tower and surrounding area features in "The Riddle of the Tides", an episode of the BBC documentary Coast.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Seymour Tower Conservation Statement
  2. ↑ Seymour Tower
  3. ↑ Jersey Evening Post: 12–13. 02/03/1987. Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
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