412 REPORT—1885. 
is reached there is no local authority interested apparently in preserving it. The 
Commissioners of Pevensey Levels are supposed to protect the foreshore from 
Bexhill towards Eastbourne; a few groynes have been made by them and by the 
L.B. and §.C. Railway Company, but no great efforts are made to keep up the bank 
of shingle. The wash or scour from Eastbourne has, I fancy, affected this part a 
good deal. The whole front of Eastbourne, from the Circular Redoubt to near Beachy 
Head, is protected by groynes and sea-walls kept up by the town. I understand 
that the sea has during the gale now raging made another breach in the wall at 
the east end of Circular Redoubt, Eastbourne. Last year a breach was made and 
temporarily repaired; but as the Commissioners of Pevensey Levels did nothing 
to repair their groynes and sea-defences, doubtless the sea has got in behind the 
W.D. sea wall and has flooded the adjacent land. The local authorities of East- 
bourne intended to have taken over this portion, and to have extended their sea- 
wall along the whole front of the War Department property. 
From Beachy Head to Seaford, Iam not aware of the state of the coast-line; the 
high cliffs of chalk, &c., are, I understand, being undermined in places; but I do not 
think there is much shingle at their foot. From Seaford Head to Newhaven there is 
considerable beach kept up by groynes and sea wall. An esplanade has also been 
formed by the Commissioners. On the Newhaven side, under the fort, shingle is 
allowed to be taken by the Harbour Commissioners to make into concrete, but as the 
beach is protected by the pier and breakwater, no shingle can pass to the eastward, 
and no harm is done. 
From Newhaven to Rottingdean and Brighton, I fancy the cliffs are being 
gradually undermined by the action of the sea, There is a shingle beach at Rotting- 
dean which is used by bathers, but I fancy that the scour of the shingle caused by 
the sea defences of Brighton has denuded the foot of the cliffs between Rottingdean 
and Brighton of any shingle deposited there. The sea-defences of Brighton in the 
shape of groynes and sea-walls are of course kept up by the local authorities very 
carefully, as the importance and popularity of the place depend upon the sea-front. 
At Hove the recent works designed by Sir John Coode are approaching completion. 
From Brighton to Shoreham the ‘head’ or ‘ full’ of the beach of the peninsula 
formed by the Aldrington Basin, &c., is, I believe, well kept up. I do not think 
shingle is allowed to be removed thence. At Shoreham Harbour, to the west of the 
river Adur, the shingle is taken by the Commissioners from their property under 
the Redoubt and barged away to Brighton for making concrete at the new sea- 
defences. Apparently the shingle accumulates as fast as it is taken away. From 
Shoreham to Worthing, I cannot say that I know much. I believe the ‘head’ or 
‘full’ of the beach is kept up, and I have never heard of any breaches made by the 
sea there. At Worthing the local authorities keep up the sea-walls and groynes to 
form an efficient esplanade and roadway. I do not think that shingle is removed. At 
Littlehampton the sea-front is protected by groynes and sea-wall, but the foreshore 
is principally of sand. The shingle lies to the westward of the river Arun, and thence 
sandhills and dunes form an efficient protection from the inroads of the sea. 
At Bognor the local authorities are gradually improving the sea-front with groynes 
and sea-walls, but I fancy the sea makes many inroads into the foreshore adjacent ; 
shingle should certainly not be removed from this place. 
. I have the honour to be, Sir, 
Your most obedient Servant, 
(Signed) E. C. Sr, Colonel. 
REMARKS ON GROYNES FOR SEA DEFENCES. 
1. Groynes are indispensable—Ist. To check the movements of shingle. 2nd. To 
assist in forming a ‘head’ or ‘full’ of beach. 38rd. To cover the ‘tie’ or foot 
of sea-walls with shingle, and prevent them being undermined. 
. They should be directed towards the prevailing dangerous wind. 
If the coast suffers from both quarters—i.e. S.E. and S8.W. winds—land-ties on 
each side are necessary. 
Short groynes—say 80 feet long—are better for protecting walls, in my opinion. 
. Long groynes are better for forming ‘ head’ or ‘full’ of beach. 
- Iconsider that an 80-feet groyne will protect a part of about 100 feet. If there 
is much scour they should be closer. ; 
oar wr 
