BATI3 OF EROSION OF THE SEA-C0AST3 OF ENGLAND AND WALES. 911 



lower embrasures, at -whicli level self-acting tidal-flaps should be introduced in each 

 of the cross walls to allow the water to drain out of the moat at low water, but to 

 shut back against the ingress of the sea. 



In the second bay from the north the footings of the north-east tower of the Castle 

 are exposed, and in the third bay the footings of the south-east tower, and a water- 

 worn substratum of hard sand, closely approaching sandstone in appearance, upon 

 which the walls were originally founded, and which may be traced up the coarse 

 vertical joints, and adapting itself to the irregular beds of the stones, precisely similar 

 in character to the serrated edges of the sand dunes that crop out through the beach 

 to the northward. 



During the first day of my survey, viz., on the 25th ultimo, from 15 inches to 21 

 inches in vertical height of this sand were exposed to view at low water, but on the 

 29tli only from 6 inches to 12 inches, from a slight accumulation of shingle having 

 taken place in the interim, arising from the change of wind to the westward. 



The paving of the proposed stone slopes should be laid on a bed of concrete or 

 clay to prevent the recoil of the wave drawing away the shore from under the stone- 

 work after getting through the joints, and this should be carried well up to the ex- 

 posed footings of the Castle walls to prevent the sea having access thereto. 



I estimate the cost of these stone slopes, if confined to the two bays north and 

 south of the centre groyne, at 400Z., and if extended to the whole distance between 

 the north and south groynes, 800Z. 



As regards the ' probable effect upon the land of the neighbouring proprietors,' I 

 consider that such a system, coupled with a lowering of the Castle groynes, would be 

 beneficial, as allowing a freer passage of the shingle north and south. 



In making this survey and report I may, perhaps, have somewhat exceeded the 

 precise limits of my instructions of the 14th ultimo ; but looking to the tenor of your 

 first letter of the 3rd ultimo, referring to ' the Coast between Deal and Sandown 

 Castle,' and arriving as I did when the sea had breached the beach, both at Sandown 

 and at Battery No. 1, it appeared to me, viewing the general waste going on over so 

 great a length of coast, that it was impossible to report on the defences of the Castle 

 without having reference to the whole length of the coast affected, and difficult to 

 disconnect the consideration of the works necessary to be carried out for the 

 protection of your defences and those for the adjoining properties, for an abandon- 

 ment of the Castle would necessitate the construction of a sea-wall in the line of the 

 beach, or the entire abandonment of the present line of coast, for the ground on which 

 the Castle stands has gradually assumed the appearance of an island. Should the 

 degradation of the coast cease, and a prevalence of south-west winds again renew 

 the beach, such a step might be regretted. 



As regards the coast from Sandown Terrace to the Castle, the only effectual mode 

 of defence appears to me to be the erection of a sea wall in continuation of the pre- 

 sent esplanade wall from the southward : this affects more immediately the Arch- 

 bishop of Canterbury and the town of Deal.' 



From the Castle to Battery No. 1, should the present waste continue, to preserve 

 the low lands from inundation, I should recommend the erection of counter walls of 

 earth behind the beach, with a stone slope similar to what I propose for the defence 

 of the Castle, and the consideration of this is also a landowners' question ; Romney 

 Marsh, formerly protected by a shingle beach and by groynes, is now defended by a 

 stone slope. Such a work might be executed in lengths behind the thinnest and 

 weakest portions of the beach, and the execution of the paving might be deferred 

 until the beach, which would form a barrier as long as it remained, had been carried 

 away and exposed the counter wall ; it might eventually be necessary to extend such 

 a wall northward of Battery No. 1, respecting which latter work I would recommend 

 a similar course to what I advise at the Castle, viz., a lowering of the planks of the 

 north and south groynes, and the extension of the latter westward up the crest of 

 the beach, and the entire removal of the whole of the planks of the two intermediate 

 groynes, which, from their direction and form, are not calculated to arrest or retain 

 the shingle : it would also be necessary to construct a timber revetment or wall from 

 tlie south side of the battery to the west end of the south groyne, and on to the extent 

 of your property. 



At Walmer and at the Admiralty premises at Deal notices are exhibited forbid- 

 ding the removal of shingle, and this -should be strictly enforced along the lenofh 

 of coast under consideration. Large quantities appear to be removed for various 



[Now flooding with shingle, February 1863.] 



