Lewis Tower
Lewis Tower
One of the true Martello Tower designs, this is the most northerly surviving tower in St Ouen's Bay
Lewis Tower
This Martello style tower, which is still standing, bears the date of 1835 and has Lewis's Tower carved on it. It was named in honour of Colonel G G Lewis, who was the commanding officer of the Royal Engineers in Jersey at the time. His successor, Colonel Harry Jones, complained about the damp state of several towers, including Lewis, in a letter on 31 July 1839 and was allowed to cement or stucco them the following year. This tower was also known as St Ouen No 1, although it was completed after No 2. It is more usually known as Lewis Tower today.
Jersey Heritage history
The States of Jersey ordered that work commence on the construction of new coastal defences on 3 March 1832 and a series of towers of the English Martello pattern was built. Jean Gruchy was awarded the contract for Lewis Tower and foundations were laid in May 1835.
In June Philippe du Heaume, Seigneur of the Fief de Morville and Robilliard, raised the Clameur de Haro on the site. The Jersey workmen involved in the construction downed tools and Col Lewis ordered the Royal Engineers back to barracks until the matter was settled in Court.
The Bailiff, Sir John de Veulle, called a meeting of the States on 9 June 'to consider ways and means to continue the erection of a fortification at St Ouen's Bay'. Mr du Heaume was paid 50 francs per square perch in compensation (the tower took up 12 square perches) and the States also compensated farmers who had right of common on the site.
Work resumed in July and was completed later in the year at a cost of £798. As part of the western coastal defences, Lewis Tower housed one heavy gun, an officer and 18 men with a magazine capable of containing 90 barrels of powder. In 1839 the outisde of the Tower was coated in cement following a a report stating that it was considered damp and needed to be made weather tight.
But, the risk of invasion having receded, this tower and its neighbours were neglected for many years. By 1922 Lewis Tower was sold by the War Department to the States. During the German Occupation of Jersey the tower was requisitioned. A concrete housing was added to the base of the tower for a mobile 3.7cm anti-tank gun and a new entrance door created at ground level.
The tower was opened as a self-catering let in 2007.
