coastal fortifications – Illustrative Series I

Although only 45 square miles of island, Jersey has been extensively fortified over history.  

For my illustrations, I have initially focused on the towers built in the late 18^th Century by Jersey Governor Henry Seymour Conway. Motivated by the American War of Independence which begun in 1775, the French declared war with Great Britain three years later. Jersey, as the closest British Isle to France (just 14 miles) became an obvious target for invasion. Conway requested the construction of new fortifications to defend the island, in total 23 ‘Conway’ towers were built. As anticipated, there were numerous skirmishes with the French in the years that followed, including the Battle of Jersey, and ultimately, the outcome of the wars were not in Britain’s favour. However, Jersey was successfully defended and retained as British, as it had been since 1204.

Constructed of the warm orange and pink coloured local granite, today the Conway towers form a picturesque part of Jersey’s coastline. Many retain a practical value, painted white and red as navigation markers for shipping. Then as now, they all have one thing in common: a key strategic and defensive and position on our coastline. ff