Martello Tower E, Martello Bay (EHER 6)

Martello tower E was built 1810-12. Later converted as a water storage tower. Now disused. A third of the land parcel originally associated with this tower has been lost to coastal erosion and the rest has been redeveloped as housing. Scheduled and Listed.

Martello tower built between 1810-12 <1> <2> Martello Tower E commanded an easy landing place, with access to the main road inland. It was sold by the War Office in 1904. In 1935 it became part of Butlin's holiday camp. It is now used as a water storage tower and is in a fair state of preservation. It is now very close to the sea, standing on the sea wall <3> <4> <18> <19> <20> <21> <22> <23> 2 photos in SMR <5> Site visit (1960 or 1983) The camp was closed and the tower was impenetrable at time of visit (in 1983 or 1960?). At this time, at high tide, waves reached the foot of the tower. Though much of the facing of the tower had peeled off, it did not appear to be in bad condition <6> Photo refs: <7> <8> Photo ref <9>, AP ref <10><12>. The tower stands complete to its original height of about 10m. This tower was originally covered by coarse stucco, but this has now been largely replaced by modern rendering. The openings, the four windows, the door and the ladder chute below the door, have all been sealed in recent years to prevent vandalism. The interior is, however believed to survive largely intact and to retain many original features. <11> Scheduling Report 1999 According to a contemporary report, the tower was built to command the 'landing place at Clacton Wash and the great road leading from it into the country'. When completed in 1812 it stood some distance back from the shoreline, positioned behind a forward battery which had been built here in 1805. All traces of the battery and associated buildings have long since disappeared. The greater part was probably removed following an auction of building materials in 1819; any remains to have survived this process have since been lost to coastal erosion and the construction of modern sea defences. The tower itself now stands just behind the modern sea wall. <11> WWII photo of beach defences shows part of the tower in 1941. <16> Site Assessment = When visited, at high tide waves reached the foot of the tower. Much of the facing of the tower had peeled off but it did not appear to be in bad condition <6>