NOTES RELATING TO COAST 221 



will require to be cleared from time to time, until the cliff reaches 

 the angle of the slope compatible with permanent stability. But 

 at the end of such artificial protection, Nature resumes her sway, 

 eats into the undefended face, gets behind the masonry or 

 concrete, and destroys it length by length. The only effectual 

 system under the conditions is that of closely-set groins rising 

 above springtide level, to accumulate sand and check the removal 

 of slipped or solid clay. How far this may be regarded as a 

 matter of imperial rather than of local interest and duty is a' 

 political question unsuited for discussion in these pages. 



NOTES RELATING TO COAST EROSION IN 

 ESSEX AND SUFFOLK. 



EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE 

 OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION 



The Committee on Coast Erosion was appointed in 1881 at 

 York. A preliminary Report was issued in 1884 and detailed 

 reports appeared in 1885, 1886 and 1888. The final Report with 

 summary of the evidence was issued in 1895. As these reports 

 are somewhat scattered it may be well to summarise those 

 relating to our coast, as an addendum to Mr. Dalton's remarks 

 above. 1 he somewhat crude diction arises from the notes being 

 concise answers to a set of very definite questions. 



In the second Report (Brii. Ass. Rep. 1886) Mr. John Bateman, of 

 Brightlingsea, gave some evidence concerning the Estuary of the Colne, in 

 which he stated the nature of the coast to be a fringe of flat salt-marshes 

 overflowed at high tides. They form small cliffs of about 5 feet, and then . 

 soft mud reaches to low-water mark. There is no shingle. The coast-line 

 is N.E. to S.W. and the prevailing wind is S.W. The E. wind is most 

 important in raising high waves. The set of the tidal currents is the same as 

 the mouth of the Thames. The coast is being worn back by the sea almost 

 without exception from the mouth of the Thames northwards, and eastwards 

 certainly at Mersea, Brightlingsea, St. Osyth, and Clacton. The cliffs only 

 commence at Clacton. Questioned as to the rate of erosion he stated that the 

 area of one salt-marsh of about 10 acres had diminished by nearly one-third 

 in 20 years. The Tithe Commutation Map of Brightlingsea (1822 ?) shows 

 " West Marsh Point " to have been something like 100 yards seawards of its 

 present position. Land is being gained from the sea, and something like 700 

 acres of Brightlingsea were enclosed from the salt-marshes, 1700-1800. No 

 record has been preserved of exact dates, but a map of 1780 shows much now 



