Martello towers (or simply Martellos) are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards. Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions They stand up to 40 feet (12m) high (with two floors) and typically had a garrison of one officer and 15-25 men. Their round structure and thick walls of solid masonry made them resistant to cannon fire, while their height made them an ideal platform for a single heavy artillery piece, mounted on the flat roof and able to traverse a 360° arc. Artillery (from French artillerie) is a military Combat Arm which employs any apparātus machine A few Martello towers were surrounded by a moat for extra defence. They were used throughout the 19th century, but became obsolete with the introduction of powerful rifled artillery. Rifling refers to the Helix -shaped pattern in the barrel of a Firearm, which imparts a spin to a Projectile around its long axis Many have survived to the present day, often preserved as historic monuments.
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Origins
Martello towers were inspired by a round fortress, part of a larger Genovese defense system, at Mortella Point in Corsica. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Corsica (Corse Corsican and Italian: Corsica) is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily (see picture here) Since the 15th century, similar towers had been built at strategic points around Corsica to protect coastal villages and shipping from North African pirates. They stood one or two stories high and measured 12-15 m (36-45 ft) in diameter, with a single doorway 5 m off the ground that could only be reached by climbing a removable ladder. The towers were paid for by local villagers and staffed by watchmen (known as torregiani) who would signal the approach of unexpected ships by lighting a fire on the tower's roof. This would alert the local defence forces to the incoming threat. Although the pirate threat subsequently dwindled, the Genovese built a newer generation of circular towers which were used to ward off later foreign invasions. [1]
On 7 February 1794, the tower at Mortella Point was attacked by two British warships, HMS Fortitude (74 guns) and HMS Juno (32 guns), and was eventually captured by land-based forces under Sir John Moore after two days of heavy fighting. Portmarnock ( Port Mearnóg in Irish) is a small suburban Village with extensive housing estates to the north and west north of the city of Dublin Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 1794 ( MDCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Citations and notes Seven vessels of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Juno after the Roman goddess The first ''Juno'' was a 32-gun ship launched Sir John Moore, KB (13 November 1761 &ndash 16 January 1809 was a British soldier and General Vice-Admiral Lord Hood reported:
- The Fortitude and Juno were ordered against it, without making the least impression by a continued cannonade of two hours and a half; and the former ship being very much damaged by red-hot shot, both hauled off. For other related uses see Admiral Hood Samuel Hood 1st Viscount Hood ( 12 December 1724 &ndash 27 January The walls of the Tower were of a prodigious thickness, and the parapet, where there were two eighteen-pounders, was lined with bass junk, five feet from the walls, and filled up with sand; and although it was cannonaded from the Height for two days, within 150 yards, and appeared in a very shattered state, the enemy still held out; but a few hot shot setting fire to the bass, made them call for quarter. The number of men in the Tower were 33; only two were wounded, and those mortally. [2]
Design and construction
The British were impressed by the effectiveness of the tower against their most modern warships and copied the design. However, they got the name wrong, misspelling "Mortella" as "Martello".
The interior of a Martello tower was divided into three stories (sometimes with an additional basement). The ground floor served as the magazine and storerooms, where ammunition, stores and provisions were kept. The garrison of 24 men and one officer lived in a casemate on the first floor, which was divided into several rooms and had fireplaces built into the walls for cooking and heating. A casemate, sometimes rendered casement, is a fortified gun emplacement or armored structure from which guns are fired originally a vaulted chamber in a Fortress. The officer and men lived in separate rooms of almost equal size. The roof or terreplein was surmounted with one or two cannon on a central pivot which enabled them to be turned through up to 360 degrees. A well or cistern was provided within the fort to supply the garrison with fresh water. An internal drainage system linked to the roof enabled the cistern to be refilled with rainwater. [3]
Martello towers around the world
During the first half of the 19th century, the British government embarked on a large-scale programme of building Martello towers to guard the British coastline and strategic points in British colonial possessions around the world. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Around 140 were built, mostly along the south coast of England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Others were constructed as far afield as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Minorca, South Africa and Sri Lanka. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Minorca ( Catalan and Spanish: Menorca; from Latin Balearis Minor, later Minorica "minor island" is one of the The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island The construction of Martello towers abroad continued until as late as the 1850s but was discontinued after it became clear that they could not withstand the new generation of rifled artillery weapons.
France built similar towers along its own coastline, which they used as platforms for communication by optical telegraphs (using the Chappe Telegraph). A semaphore telegraph, optical telegraph, shutter telegraph chain, Chappe telegraph, or Napoleonic semaphore is a system Claude Chappe ( December 25, 1763 &ndash January 23, 1805) was a French inventor who in 1792 demonstrated a practical semaphore system The United States government also built a number of Martello towers along the east coast of the US, copying the British design with some modifications. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Great Britain and Ireland were united as a single political entity, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, from 1801 to 1922, spanning the time during which the Martello towers were erected (the initial scheme started under the previous entities of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Kingdom of Ireland). The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 The Kingdom of Ireland (Ríocht na hÉireann was the name given to the Irish state from 1541 by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 of the Parliament of Ireland. Consequently the Martello towers of Great Britain and Ireland can be considered to be part of a single defensive system, designed to protect Great Britain and Ireland as a whole. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world This is most clearly visible on the south and east coasts of England and the east coast of Ireland, where chains of Martello towers were built. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Elsewhere in the world, individual Martello towers were erected to provide point defence of strategic locations.
England
Between 1804 and 1812 the British authorities built a chain of towers based on the original Mortella tower to defend the south and east coast of England, Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey to guard against possible invasion from France, then under the rule of the Emperor Napoleon. Year 1804 ( MDCCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. A total of 105 Martello towers were built in England, set at regular intervals along the coast from Seaford, Sussex, to Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. Aldeburgh ( IPA /ˈɔlbrə/ is a town in Suffolk, East Anglia, England; it is located on the Alde river at 52° 9' North 1° 36' East Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. Most were constructed under the direction of General William Twiss (1745–1827) and a Captain Ford. General William Twiss, (1745 &ndash 14 March 1827) was a British Army Royal Engineer, responsible for the design of many military defenses Year 1745 ( MDCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common
The effectiveness of Britain's Martello towers was never actually tested in combat against a Napoleonic invasion fleet. After the threat had passed, the Martello towers in England met a variety of fates. Many were taken over by the Coastguard to aid in the fight against smuggling. Her Majesty's Coastguard is the service of the Government of the United Kingdom concerned with co-ordinating Rescue at sea Fifteen towers were demolished to re-use their masonry. Thirty were washed away by the sea, while four more were destroyed by the military in experiments to test the effectiveness of the new rifled artillery. Rifling refers to the Helix -shaped pattern in the barrel of a Firearm, which imparts a spin to a Projectile around its long axis During the Second World War, some Martello towers returned to military service to serve as observation platforms and firing platforms for anti-aircraft artillery. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Anti-aircraft warfare, or air defense, is any method of engaging hostile military Aircraft in defence of ground objectives, ground or naval forces Forty-seven have survived in England, of which a few have been restored and transformed into museums (as in the case of the tower at St Osyth), visitor centres, and galleries (such as Jaywick Martello Tower). St Osyth is a village and Civil parish in northeast Essex. It is about west of Clacton-on-Sea, and about southeast of Colchester. Jaywick Martello Tower is a renovated Martello tower that functions as a Digital arts venue Some are privately owned or private residences and the remainder are derelict.
Scotland
Three Martello towers were built in Scotland, two at Hackness and Crockness near Longhope in the Orkney Islands. Longhope is a coastal settlement on the island of South Walls which is one of the Orkney islands off the northern coast of Scotland. Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north They were constructed between 1813 and 1815 to guard against the threat of French and American raiders attacking convoys assembling offshore. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year [4] The Hackness tower has been preserved and is now a museum operated by Historic Scotland. Historic Scotland is an Executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland. [5] A third Scottish tower was built at Leith in 1807-09. The tower was built on offshore rocks to defend Leith Harbour, but now lies land-locked within the eastern breakwater. [6][7]
Ireland
A number of Martello towers were built around the coast of Ireland, especially along the east, from Millmount to Bray, around Dublin Bay but also around Cork Harbour on the south coast. Balbriggan ( Baile Brigín in Irish) is a town in north county Dublin, Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Millmount Fort, is a large 19th century Martello tower located in Drogheda. Bray (Bré formerly Brí Chulainn) is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. Dublin Bay ( Cuan Bhaile Átha Cliath) is a delta shaped Inlet of the Irish Sea off the east Coast of Ireland. Cork Harbour is a natural Harbour and river Estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. Possibly the most famous is the Martello tower in Sandycove, near Dún Laoghaire, in which James Joyce lived for a few days. Sandycove ( Irish: Cuas an Ghainimh) is a small village located on the east coast of the Republic of Ireland, in South County Dublin, and Dún Laoghaire (in Irish d̪ˠuːn̪ˠ ˈɫeːrʲə sometimes spelled Dún Laoire; Anglicised as Dunleary, dʌn ˈlɪəri is a suburban James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 &ndash 13 January 1941 was an Irish expatriate writer widely considered to be one of the most influential writers of the Joyce shared the tower with Oliver St. John Gogarty, then a medical student but later to become famous in Irish history as a surgeon, politician and writer. Oliver Joseph St John Gogarty ( August 17, 1878 - September 22, 1957) was an Irish Physician and ear surgeon The fictional character Stephen Dedalus lives in the tower with a medical student, Malachi "Buck" Mulligan, in Ulysses. Stephen Dedalus is James Joyce 's literary Alter ego, as well as the Protagonist of his first semi-autobiographical novel of artistic existence Ulysses is a novel by James Joyce, first serialized in parts in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920 The character Buck Mulligan was based by Joyce on Gogarty. Known as the James Joyce Tower, it is now a museum dedicated to Joyce. The James Joyce Tower and Museum is a Martello tower in Sandycove, Dublin, where James Joyce spent six nights in 1904 A number of other Martello towers are extant nearby at Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey Island, Williamstown Seapoint and Sandymount and Martello towers feature in many literary works set in Dublin. Bulloch Harbour is a Harbour located on the south-east coast of Dublin, Ireland. Dalkey Island ( Deilginis in Irish, meaning "thorny island" is situated about 16 km (10 mi south of Dublin, near the village of Dalkey Blackrock (An Charraig Dhubh is a suburban town and district located south of the city of Dublin, in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland, northwest Seapoint ( is a small seafront area between Blackrock and Monkstown in Dublin in the Dún Laoghaire local authority area Sandymount ( Dumhach Thrá in Irish) is a coastal suburb of South Dublin in the Dublin 4 postal district in Ireland. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. On the north side of the city, Martello towers can be found in Portmarnock, Howth, Sutton and on both Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island. Portmarnock ( Port Mearnóg in Irish) is a small suburban Village with extensive housing estates to the north and west north of the city of Dublin Howth (pronounced to rhyme with both; Binn Éadair in Irish) is a town in the Fingal County Council administrative area of County Dublin Ireland Sutton ( Irish: Cill Fhionntáin - Fintan's cell or church is a residential Suburb of Dublin Ireland's Eye ( is a small uninhabited island off the coast of County Dublin, Ireland, situated directly north of Howth Harbour Lambay Island ( lies off the coast of north County Dublin, Ireland, north of Ireland's Eye. During the 1980s Bono owned the Martello tower in Bray, County Wicklow. Bray (Bré formerly Brí Chulainn) is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. County Wicklow (Contae Chill Mhantáin is a county on the east coast of Ireland, immediately south of Dublin.
During the 19th century Fenian uprising, the tower near Fota island in Cork Harbour was briefly captured and held by the famous Captain Mackey and is believed to have been the only one ever captured. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The Fenian Rising of 1867 (Éirí Amach na bhFiann 1867 was a rebellion against British rule in Ireland, organised by the Fenian Brotherhood. Fota Island ( Oileán Fhóta in Irish) is a small island in Cork Harbour, Ireland, just north of the larger island of Cóbh. The tower at Seapoint, County Dublin, is the headquarters of the Genealogical Society of Ireland,[1] while the restored tower at Ilnacullin is a feature of an island garden in Glengarriff, County Cork. County Dublin (Contae Bhaile Átha Cliath or more correctly today the Dublin Region ( Réigiúin Átha Cliath) is the area that contains the city of Dublin Genealogical Society of Ireland (Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann is a voluntary non-governmental organisation promoting the study of genealogy heraldry vexillology and social history Ilnacullin, or sometimes Illaunacullin (derives from Oileán an Chulinn in Irish meaning 'island of holly' known locally as Garnish Island (properly Glengarriff ( Gleann Garbh in Irish, meaning "Rough glen" is a village of approximately 800 people in the south-west region of County Cork, County Cork (Contae Chorcaí is the most southerly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. Several other towers are still extant, including one at Rathmullan (the flight of the Earls), County Donegal. Rathmullan ( Ráth Maoláin in Irish) is a small seaside village in County Donegal in the Ireland. County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall.
Elsewhere
Australia
The last Martello tower built in the British Empire is said to be that at Fort Denison, a small island in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales. Fort Denison is a former penal site and defensive facility occupying a small island located north of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney Australia It was built to protect Sydney against the threat of a naval attack by the Russians during the Crimean War of the 1850s. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought Events and Trends Industry Production of Steel revolutionized by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman It is well preserved and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Barbuda
There is a Martello tower on the island of Barbuda in the West Indies. Barbuda is an Island in the Eastern Caribbean, and forms part of the state of Antigua and Barbuda. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting It is attached to a pre-existing fort, probably built by the Spanish. It was used to guard the southwest of the island, and is located approximately seven miles south of the island's main village at Codrington. Codrington is a town located on the island of Barbuda, which is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda.
Bermuda
There is a Martello tower located at Ferry Reach in St George's Parish. Ferry Reach is a three mile (five kilometre long channel in the north-east of Bermuda, which lies between St It was completed in the 1820s.
British Virgin Islands
Fort Recovery on the west end of Tortola was rebuilt by the British with a Martello tower. Fort Recovery is a Fort on the West End of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands which form part of the Archipelago of the Virgin Islands.
Canada
A total of sixteen Martello towers were built in Canada[8], of which eleven still survive. Saint John is the largest city in the Province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Canadian Martello towers were built with removable cone-shaped roofs to protect against snow, and many of the restored towers now have permanent roof additions - for ease of upkeep, not historical accuracy.
Four towers were built in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Metropolitan Halifax (2006 pop 282924) often referred to as Metro Halifax, or inaccurately Halifax, is the urban part of the Halifax Regional Municipality The oldest martello-style tower in North America is the Prince of Wales Tower [2] , located in Point Pleasant Park. Point Pleasant Park is a large partially forested area at the southern tip of Halifax Peninsula. It was built in 1796, before such structures were to be considered built elsewhere in Canada, and was used as a redoubt, a powder magazine and has been restored as a National Heritage site. The Duke of York Martello Tower [3] was built in 1798 at York Redoubt. York Redoubt is a National Historic Site situated on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Halifax Harbour at Ferguson's Cove, Nova Scotia, originally Its lower level still stands, though it has been boarded up for conservation purposes. The Duke of Clarence Martello Tower [4] stood on the Dartmouth shore. Sherbrooke Martello Tower [5] stood opposite York Redoubt on McNabs Island. McNabs Island is the largest Island in Halifax Harbour located in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Another Martello tower stood on Georges Island. Georges Island is a glacial Drumlin and the largest island entirely within the harbour limits of Halifax Harbour located in Nova Scotia 's Halifax
Quebec City originally had four Martello towers. Quebec City ( French: Ville de Québec, or simply Québec) (kwɨˈbɛk or /keˈbɛk/ is the Capital of the Canadian province Tower No. 1 stands on the Plains of Abraham, overlooking the St Lawrence River. The Plains of Abraham is a historic 108- Acre (44- Hectare) Plateau within The Battlefields Park in Quebec City, Canada, Saint Lawrence River (in French: fleuve Saint-Laurent; Kahnawáˀkye in Tuscarora, Kaniatarowanenneh meaning big waterway It has been restored as a museum and can be visited during the summer months. Tower no. 2 stands close nearby, and it currently hosts an 1812 Murder Mystery Dinner. Tower No. 3 was demolished in the 1900s after being used as a residence, and the fourth surviving Martello Tower in Quebec, No. 4, is located in a residential area on the north side of the Upper City.
No less than four were built at Kingston, Ontario to defend its harbour and naval shipyards in response to the Oregon Crisis. The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC is the Military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting University. Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St The Oregon boundary dispute (or Oregon question) arose as a result of competing British and American claims to the Pacific Northwest of Two thin towers were added to the existing fortifications at Fort Henry between 1845 and 1848. Fort Henry (also known as Fort Henry National Historic Site) is located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada on Point Henry a strategic point located These are considered dry ditch defence towers, rather than true Martello towers. The four independent towers were built as redoubts to defend against marine attacks. Two of Kingston's towers, Murney Tower and the tower at Point Frederick (at the Royal Military College of Canada) are maintained as museums which are open during the summer. Murney Tower is a Martello tower in Kingston, Ontario, Canada dating back to 1846 The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC is the Military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting University. Frederick Tower is further defended by earthen ramparts and a limestone curtain wall. The only Martello tower completely surrounded by water, the Shoal Tower, stands in Kingston's Confederation Basin and is opened to the public as part of Doors Open Ontario for one day only in June each year, (since 2005). The fourth, Cathcart Tower, stands unused on Cedar Island near Point Henry.
Carleton Martello Tower, overlooking the harbour of Saint John, New Brunswick, is now a museum and National Historic Site. Saint John is the largest city in the Province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada.
The Canadian Press reported on April 16 2006 that the Canadian military is using the same name to name a base in Afghanistan. The new base will be called Forward Operating Base (FOB) Martello.
Jamaica
There is a Martello tower located at Fort Nugent, built to guard the eastern entrance of Kingston Harbour. Kingston is the Capital and largest city of Jamaica and is located on the southeastern coast of the island country It was probably built in 1802, with a reported cost of £12,000.
Mauritius
A total of five towers were built in Mauritius. Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃəs L’île Maurice /il mɔ'ʁis/ Mauritian Creole: Maurice) officially the Republic of Mauritius, République One, near the La Preneuse public beach in Tamarin, has been restored by the Friends of the Environment and operates as a museum open for visitors. The tamarins are any of the Squirrel -sized New World monkeys from the family Cebidae, classified as the genus Saguinus. The original entrance to the tower is raised above ground but a new entrance has been constructed at ground level. Another one was built between Beau Bassin and Port Louis.
Sierra Leone
A Martello tower was built on Tower Hill at Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1805 to defend the port from attacks by the Temne people. Freetown is the Capital and largest City of Sierra Leone, and a major Port on the Atlantic Ocean. Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. Year 1805 ( MDCCCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or The Temne people are one of the two largest Ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, along with the Mende. It was significantly modified in 1870 when it was truncated to allow the installation of a water tank to supply Government House (Fort Thornton) with water. Year 1870 ( MDCCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The tower has now been incorporated into Sierra Leone's Parliament Buildings. [6]
South Africa
Two Martello towers were built in South Africa, one at Simon's Town Naval base near Cape Town and the other at Fort Beaufort - an unusual example of a Martello tower built inland. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Cape Town (Kaapstad Xhosa: Ikapa) is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has one Martello tower, located at Hambantota on the south coast. Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island Hambantota is a rural town in southern coastal area of Sri Lanka. It was restored in 1999. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)
United States
Several Martello towers were built by the United States government in various locations along the eastern seaboard. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Two were built at Key West, Florida; others were built at the harbours of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Charleston, South Carolina and New York City. Key West is a city in Monroe County Florida, United States. The city encompasses Key West, the namesake island the part of Stock Island Portsmouth is a City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. The City of New York Two more Martello towers stood at Tybee Island, Georgia and Bayou Dupre, Louisiana. Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near the city of Savannah in the southeastern The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America [9]
Although the design was copied from the towers erected in Canada by the British, the American Martello towers differed in some significant respects. The Martello tower built at Tybee Island, Georgia was constructed around 1815 utilising wood and tabby, a common local building material at the time, instead of the brick used for the British towers. Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near the city of Savannah in the southeastern Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Tabby is a building material consisting of lime, Sand, Water, and crushed Oyster shells Also unlike the British towers, the Tybee tower featured gun loops on the garrison floor that enabled muskets to be fired through the walls. A musket is a muzzle -loaded Smoothbore Long gun, which is intended to be fired from the shoulder It was never tested in battle and by the time of the American Civil War was in a state of disrepair. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Its unfamiliar design confused local writers, who often said that the Spanish had built the tower when Georgia was Spain's colony. [10]
A martello tower figures in the arms of the 41st Infantry Regiment of the United States Army. [7]
List of Martello towers outside Great Britain
| Country | Location | Tower name | Built | Current status |
| Australia | Sydney | Fort Denison | 1850s | Museum |
| Barbuda | Near Codrington | |||
| Bermuda | Ferry Reach | 1823 | Can be visited | |
| British Virgin Islands | Tortola | Fort Recovery | Private (hotel) | |
| Canada | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Prince of Wales Tower | 1796 | Open to public |
| Kingston, Ontario | Fort Frederick | 1846/7 | Museum | |
| Kingston, Ontario | Murney Tower | 1846 | Museum | |
| Kingston, Ontario | Shoal Tower | 1846 | Closed to Public | |
| Kingston, Ontario | Cathcart Tower | 1846 | Closed to Public | |
| Quebec City, Quebec | 1808-1812 | Tower #1 - Museum Tower #2 - Open for group activities through National Battlefields Commission |
||
| Saint John, New Brunswick | Carleton Martello Tower | 1815 | Museum | |
| Ireland | Achill Island | |||
| Banagher | Private residence | |||
| Bray | Private residence | |||
| Bulloch Harbour | Private residence | |||
| Dalkey Island | ||||
| Fota Island, Cork Harbour | ||||
| Howth | Museum & radio station | |||
| Ilnacullin | ||||
| Ireland's Eye | ||||
| Lambay Island | ||||
| Loughshinny | ||||
| Portmarnock | Private residence | |||
| Rathmullan | ||||
| Sandycove | James Joyce's Martello tower | Museum | ||
| Sandymount | ||||
| Seapoint | Headquarters of the Genealogical Society of Ireland | |||
| Shenick Island | ||||
| Sutton | Private residence | |||
| Williamstown | ||||
| Jamaica | Kingston | Fort Nugent | 1802? | |
| Mauritius | Tamarin | Museum | ||
| Sierra Leone | Freetown | Tower Hill Martello Tower | 1805 | Part of Parliament Buildings |
| South Africa | Fort Beaufort | 1822 | ||
| Simon's Town | ||||
| Sri Lanka | Hambantota | |||
| United States | Lake Borgne, Louisiana | Tower Dupre | 1830? | hexagonal; originally built on shore, 150 ft (46 m) from water, near Bayou Dupre's entrance to Lake Borgne; private fishing camp; threatened by subsidence and tidal erosion[11] |
| Charleston, South Carolina | ||||
| Key West, Florida | ||||
| New York Harbor | Destroyed | |||
| Portsmouth, New Hampshire | Walbach Tower, Fort Constitution | 1814 | Ruined [8] | |
| Tybee Island, Georgia | 1815 | Destroyed |
References
- ^ David Abram, The Rough Guide to Corsica, p. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Fort Denison is a former penal site and defensive facility occupying a small island located north of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales Barbuda is an Island in the Eastern Caribbean, and forms part of the state of Antigua and Barbuda. Codrington is a town located on the island of Barbuda, which is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Ba (officially The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles) is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Ferry Reach is a three mile (five kilometre long channel in the north-east of Bermuda, which lies between St Year 1823 ( MDCCCXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The British Virgin Islands ( BVI) is a British overseas territory, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands which form part of the Archipelago of the Virgin Islands. Fort Recovery is a Fort on the West End of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Metropolitan Halifax (2006 pop 282924) often referred to as Metro Halifax, or inaccurately Halifax, is the urban part of the Halifax Regional Municipality Year 1796 ( MDCCXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St Fort Frederick is a historic military installation in Kingston Ontario, Canada. Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St Murney Tower is a Martello tower in Kingston, Ontario, Canada dating back to 1846 For the game see 1846 (board game. Year 1846 ( MDCCCXLVI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St For the game see 1846 (board game. Year 1846 ( MDCCCXLVI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St For the game see 1846 (board game. Year 1846 ( MDCCCXLVI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display Quebec City ( French: Ville de Québec, or simply Québec) (kwɨˈbɛk or /keˈbɛk/ is the Capital of the Canadian province Saint John is the largest city in the Province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Achill Island (ˈækəl Acaill Oileán Acla in County Mayo is the largest island of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast Banagher ( Beannchar na Sionna in Irish) is a town in Ireland, located in the midlands on the western edge of County Offaly in the province Bray (Bré formerly Brí Chulainn) is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. Bulloch Harbour is a Harbour located on the south-east coast of Dublin, Ireland. Dalkey Island ( Deilginis in Irish, meaning "thorny island" is situated about 16 km (10 mi south of Dublin, near the village of Dalkey Fota Island ( Oileán Fhóta in Irish) is a small island in Cork Harbour, Ireland, just north of the larger island of Cóbh. Cork Harbour is a natural Harbour and river Estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. Howth (pronounced to rhyme with both; Binn Éadair in Irish) is a town in the Fingal County Council administrative area of County Dublin Ireland Ilnacullin, or sometimes Illaunacullin (derives from Oileán an Chulinn in Irish meaning 'island of holly' known locally as Garnish Island (properly Ireland's Eye ( is a small uninhabited island off the coast of County Dublin, Ireland, situated directly north of Howth Harbour Lambay Island ( lies off the coast of north County Dublin, Ireland, north of Ireland's Eye. Portmarnock ( Port Mearnóg in Irish) is a small suburban Village with extensive housing estates to the north and west north of the city of Dublin Rathmullan ( Ráth Maoláin in Irish) is a small seaside village in County Donegal in the Ireland. Sandycove ( Irish: Cuas an Ghainimh) is a small village located on the east coast of the Republic of Ireland, in South County Dublin, and James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 &ndash 13 January 1941 was an Irish expatriate writer widely considered to be one of the most influential writers of the Sandymount ( Dumhach Thrá in Irish) is a coastal suburb of South Dublin in the Dublin 4 postal district in Ireland. Seapoint ( is a small seafront area between Blackrock and Monkstown in Dublin in the Dún Laoghaire local authority area Genealogical Society of Ireland (Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann is a voluntary non-governmental organisation promoting the study of genealogy heraldry vexillology and social history Shenick Island ( lies east of Skerries, County Dublin in Ireland. Sutton ( Irish: Cill Fhionntáin - Fintan's cell or church is a residential Suburb of Dublin Blackrock (An Charraig Dhubh is a suburban town and district located south of the city of Dublin, in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland, northwest Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. Kingston is the Capital and largest city of Jamaica and is located on the southeastern coast of the island country Year 1802 ( MDCCCII) was a Common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃəs L’île Maurice /il mɔ'ʁis/ Mauritian Creole: Maurice) officially the Republic of Mauritius, République The tamarins are any of the Squirrel -sized New World monkeys from the family Cebidae, classified as the genus Saguinus. Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. Freetown is the Capital and largest City of Sierra Leone, and a major Port on the Atlantic Ocean. Year 1805 ( MDCCCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Year 1822 (MDCCCXXII was a Common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Sunday of the Simon's Town (also widely but incorrectly referred to as Simonstown) and in Afrikaans Simonstad) is a village and a naval base in South Africa, Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island Hambantota is a rural town in southern coastal area of Sri Lanka. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Lake Borgne is a Lagoon in eastern Louisiana of the Gulf of Mexico The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America For the game see 1830 (board game. Year 1830 ( MDCCCXXX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display Lake Borgne is a Lagoon in eastern Louisiana of the Gulf of Mexico Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. Key West is a city in Monroe County Florida, United States. The city encompasses Key West, the namesake island the part of Stock Island New York Harbor, a geographic term refers collectively to the rivers bays and tidal estuaries near the mouth of the Hudson River in the vicinity of New York City Portsmouth is a City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. Fort William and Mary was a colonial defensive post at New Castle, New Hampshire. Year 1814 ( MDCCCXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near the city of Savannah in the southeastern Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year 103. Rough Guides, 2003
- ^ The London Gazette, March 15, 1794
- ^ Robert A. Ciucevich, Tybee Island: The Long Branch of the South, pp. 19-21. Arcadia Publishing, 2005
- ^ Hackness Martello Tower. Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved on 2007-07-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
- ^ Hackness Martello Tower and Battery. Visit Scotland. Retrieved on 2007-07-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
- ^ Leith Martello Tower. Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved on 2007-07-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
- ^ The Martello Tower. History of Leith (2004-05-26). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 451 - The Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sassanid Empire takes place Retrieved on 2007-07-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
- ^ Saunders, Ivan J. , "A History of the Martello Towers in the Defence of British North America, 1796-1871," Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History #15, National Historic Parks and Sites Branch, Thorn Press Limited, 1976
- ^ Angus Konstam, American Civil War Fortification: Coastal Stone Forts. Osprey Publishing, 2003
- ^ Robert A. Ciucevich, Tybee Island: The Long Branch of the South, pp. 19-21. Arcadia Publishing, 2005
- ^ Codman Parkerson, New Orleans, America's Most Fortified City. The Quest, 1990
See also
- Fort Denison - Martello tower in Sydney
- List of castles
- List of fortifications
- List of forts
- Eastbourne Redoubt
- Palmerston Forts
External links
- Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site of Canada
- English Heritage Martello towers definition and description
- Fort Denison, Sydney
- James Joyce Tower, Dun Laoghaire
- Martello Towers homepage - a guide to England's south coast Martello towers
- Note on Sir John Moore - pictures of the original tower at Mortella
- Mortella Point (Punta Mortella) in Corsica - the ancestor of Martello towers all over the world
- Information on Martello Towers in Kent
- Seapoint Martello Tower, Co. Dublin [9] (Restoration of an Irish Martello tower)
- Eastbourne Redoubt Fortress Military Museum
- Eastbourne Redoubt
- The National Battlefields Commission - Quebec city's Martello Towers
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