JERBOURG AND ITS FORTIFICATIONS 

 A Contribution to Guernsey History. 



BY ME. G. T. DERRICK, HON. SEC. G.S.N.S. 



The S.E. corner of Guernsey is a promontory about 1,500 

 yards from N. to S. On the E. is the little Russel (Le 

 Petit Rueau), on the W. Moulin Huet Bay. On the E. 

 the division is marked by a little inlet called Pied du Mur, 

 immediately S. of Bee du Nez ; on the W. by Petit Port, 

 the most eastern part of Moulin Huet ; the distance across, 

 between these two points, is about 500 yards. The peninsula 

 of Jerbourg thus formed maintains over a large part of its 

 surface a height of over 250 feet. 



This is the district to which I wish to draw attention 

 in this paper. It has from the earliest times been used as 

 a defensive position ; its physical aspect favours this use. 



Pied du Mur is one of the most interesting beaches in the 

 island, and would be much frequented if there were a more 

 convenient access. To reach it from the rocks below Bee 

 du Nez, it is necessary to jump the last 6 or 8 feet ; and 

 to leave it on the south, one has to scale a similar rock-like 

 surface ; the name " Pied du Mur " is, therefore, very appro- 

 priate. On very rare occasions, when the furze in the valley 

 has been cleared away, it is possible to come down to the 

 stream, scramble along its bank and so reach the middle of the 

 beach. On Bee du Nez will be observed a great hole overgrown 

 and almost hidden by a thick mantle of sloe-bushes, brambles 

 and fern. This is called the Smugglers' Hole ; it opens out 

 as a miniature Creux Derrible on the beach below. Imme- 

 diately adjoining this is a fine cave with a floor of deep 

 sand ; it penetrates about 70 feet, but the entrance is 

 obstructed by an immense boulder. Then come some natural 

 arches communicating with each other ; these, the members 

 of the Society have christened " The Marble Caves." 



South of the bay, the coast is formed by low cliffs, from, 

 which projects, for about 80 feet, a platform of rocks rising 

 nearly to the present high-water level. Then comes St. 



