St Catherine’s Bay was a controversial choice for a harbour which wouldn’t dry out and which could shelter the English Channel Fleet. Begun in the mid 1800s, at huge expense, only one arm of the harbour was completed. As a result of natural phenomena, changes in ship design as well as peace with France, the harbour was a failure.
Whilst one might wonder what this part of the Island might look like now had the southern arm been completed, at least the engineering of the northern arm breakwater has stood the test of time and it provides a promenade with excellent views for the energetic, as well as a fine fishing spot for anglers.
Elsewhere in the bay, two of the round towers constructed upon the orders of General Conway (Archirondel and St Catherine’s Towers), stand guard against the earlier threat of French attack
