Signal House (EHER 34995)

A signal house associated with the Napoleonic Wars, built in around 1800. The signal station takes the form of a single storey timber framed and weatherboarded cottage with a grey slate roof. The building has six rooms, the internal fixtures include an original dining room cupboard and fireplaces. It was once one of a chain of Napoleonic signal stations extending around the coast: originally there were two such stations on Foulness Island, the other at Burwood was demolished in the late 19th century (see EHER 46885). The signal station was originally equipped with a 50 foot high mast from which signal flags could be hung. The station was closed in 1815 at the end of the Napoleonic War.

October 1986. Grade II listed. A timber framed and weatherboarded cottage with a grey slate roof, built in around 1800. It is single storey and there are six rooms. A line of 28 coastal signal stations from North Foreland to Lands End was established by the Admiralty in 1794, the line was extended to Great Yarmouth the following year and subsequently on to cover most of the coastline. A signal house is shown in the position of this building on the Map of Foulness by J. Grist 1801. In 1811 the Officer (Lieutenant) in occupation of this house was John Lundin. The signal stations were closed in 1815 at the end of the war. This is one of the very few survivors, one other presumed station is at Bradwell-on-Sea, see EHER 32 and EHER 38601. <1> See photos <2>. Built in around 1800 this is a single storey, timber framed house, clad in weatherboard and with a slate roof. The internal timber roof structure is in good condition and appears to be original. The cottage had six rooms originally and there is evidence of a removed room partition in the largest room. A line of coastal signal stations was established by the Admiralty in 1794, comprising 28 stations from North Foreland (near Margate in north-east Kent) to Lands End. In 1795 the line was extended to Great Yarmouth and subsequently on to cover most of the country's coastline. The signalling equipment comprised of a fifty foot mast with a thirty foot top mast and a thirty foot crossyard from which could be displayed from ten hoists 145 different combinations of a red flag, a blue pendant and four black balls. During the Napoleonic Wars, 1793-1815, there were two semaphore bases on Foulness. The second house at Burwood (EHER 46885) was pulled down in the late 19th century. A detachment of the 'Rochford Hundred Volunteer' manned the signal stations. They were billeted in a public house situated at Church End, see EHER 2795. The houses themselves were occupied by an officer (a lieutenant). The living accommodation consisted of two bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, a kitchen and an office. At the end of the war the signal stations were closed and it is suggested that the coastguard took them over although there is no evidence to suggest this on Foulness. The station at Tillingham Marsh (EHER X) can be seen on the first edition OS map as 'Tillingham Coastguard Station'. The Signal Houses on Foulness were let to labourers on local farms. The public house became the Parish Property / Workhouse in around 1825 and remained so for almost a century. <3> NRHE data transfer: A late 18th century signal house was identified at Courtsend, associated with the Napoleonic Wars. It seems likely this is the only Essex example surviving from this particular system. <5> Detailed history of signal stations and description of the house. <6> See also <7>.