narow(sic) escape. They were passing the spot, and had stopped to look at the mills, but providentially cut short their stay in consequence of the threatening appearance of the weather. They had not left the place more than a minute when they were startled by the explosion. Fortunately for the man who should have been looking after the mills, he was absent at the time, so that there was no loss of life.
The Bombardment of 49 Tower, about three miles on the western side of Bexhill, was commenced on Saturday, the 10th of November. The guns – two 68 pounders and two 32 pounders – had been in position for some days, and the artillerymen who were told off for the experiments had also been in the neighborhood(sic) several days. The object was to test the capabilities of the smooth bore guns, as against the Armstrongs that had been used in the demolition of a Martello tower at Eastbourne, the range of 1036 yards being the same in each case. The damage effected on Saturday was very slight, and on the open level near the battery, the air was so bleak and cold that a comparatively few persons ventured on the ground to witness the experiment. It was understood that the following Monday would be the principal day, when the Duke of Cambridge would be present and when the local volunteers would be invited or permitted to take part in the work. Thus the resumption of the firing took place on that day, and as the weather was milder, an immense crowd assembled from Bexhill, St. Leonards, Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton and other places. Carriages and other vehicles, were in so great a number as to remind one of the race-days of old. A special train also conveyed to the scene of action more than 500 persons, including 100 volunteers, in addition to those who traveled by the ordinary trams to Bexhill . The “special” landed its freight near the arranged battery between the Bexhill and Pevensey stations. The ground was fenced off, and, under the supervision of Col. Mackay and Supt. Jeffery, the police arrangements were perfect. Some forty or fifty of the Cinque Ports (Hastings and St. Leonards) Rifles, under the command of Lieut Crake and Ensign Rock were also present, and were engaged in keeping guard over the magazine in rear of the battery, where, in sub-divisions, alternately relieving each other, they formed in open lines to make a clear passage to the tent. The firing had already commenced when, soon after mid-day, the guns on the more westward towers were seen and heard saluting the Duke of Cambridge as the train bore him along to Bexhill. On alighting at that station the Commander-in-Chief and his suite took conveyances to Little Common, where he was first received by forty sailors of the Coast-Guard fleet, who formed a guard of honour -
