FISHES AND FISHING. 221 



DAGENHAM BREACH was caused by the breaking of 

 the sea bank, through a very high tide and a heavy 

 storm of wind, on or about 1703. One hundred and 

 twenty acres of land were swept away, the whole 

 marshes drowned, and not drained till 1714. Par 

 liament made a grant of 40,000 or 45,000 ; I 

 believe 12th Anne, cap. 17, refers to this grant. Mr. 

 Perry undertook to repair the sea bank, and to do 

 what was required, for the above sum ; but it was 

 said he lost 3,000 by the undertaking. At the spot 

 where the breach took place were found exposed to 

 view the trunks of many large trees, that must have 

 been buried for ages. This gulf could not be drained 

 in consequence of its immense depth, and, as it is 

 thought, the bottom being a quicksand, which has led 

 to the belief, amongst some persons, that it is bot 

 tomless. There are large bream here in abundance, 

 roach, perch, pike, carp, tench, and eels. When Mr. 

 Fry, the banker, had this water, at considerable ex 

 pense, he had cod, soles, and turbot, placed in it 

 alive, but they were never seen afterwards, the most 

 probable conclusion is that they died, and that the 

 other fish devoured their remains. It appears, from 

 measurement on a large map, to be half a mile long, 

 and at its widest part three-quarters of a furloug 

 broad. 



I never fished in this water, but several persons 



