RATE OF EROSION OF THE SEA-COASTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES. 919 



annum. On the west side it would be still less, viz., one- third the amount that it is 

 on the east side, viz., 1^ foot per annum. It would thus appear that the recession 

 of the shore line was greater over former terms of years, or that the artificial works 

 at this particular frontage have kept it in check. The effect of the Kedoubt and its 

 works is, like that of a groyne, to keep up the shore westward. "Were these works 

 abandoned the shore west would recede accordingly. 



Surveys by the same authority (Searle) in 1808 show the degradation of the shore 

 as far as Langley Point. 



No. 72, Martello Tower, the one adjoining the Circular Redoubt, was removed 

 some year's since, consequent upon the encroachments of the sea. No. 71 has 

 apparently been underpinned with stone, and is also protected by a groyne to the lee- 

 ward as regards the prevailing westerly winds, viz., to the east, which has promoted 

 an extension of the shingle in that immediate neighbourhood. In 1808 high-water 

 mark was 175 feet from the centre of No. 70. It is now 35 feet from it, equal to 

 140 feet recession, or nearly 3 feet per annum. No. G9 was 19.t feet, and is now 

 60 feet, giving the same amount of degradation ; and the old fort between these 

 towers, which was dismantled some sixteen years since, had 50 feet of beach seaward 

 of the most salient angle at high water-mark, which latter is now in a line with its 

 centre, or 140 feet back as before. The degradation of the shore west of the point is 

 also shown by the exposure of about 3 feet of brickwork below the mastic with 

 which these towers were coated two years back. 



No. 67, on the other side of the Point, had 170 feet, and has now nearly the same, 

 showing that the degradation is confined to Eastbourne Bay, and ceases on the west 

 side of Pevensey Bay. The east fort had 85 feet on the outside, and has now nearly 

 the same. 



No. 66 had 170 feet, and has now 200 feet, showing that there is a local accumu- 

 lation northward of the point, but this appears to cease to the eastward. 



No. 65 had 108 feet, it has now the same ; and Nos. 59 and 60 had 150 feet in 1810, 

 and now have much the same. 



These facts are sufficient evidence of the continued abrasion of the west shore of 

 Langley Point, which at a former period extended much further westward, as also 

 a much greater distance into the sea. This has had a corresponding eiFect along the 

 frontage of Eastbourne Ba}% but I do not think, on comparing the results with those 

 obtained some ten years since for another purpose, that there is any evidence that the 

 encroachment has been materially on the increase in the neighbourhood of the Redoubt 

 of late j'ears, but, on the contrary, that its rate has rather diminished or been held in 

 check as along the frontage of the town by works of art. 



The present low state of the shore in front of the Redoubt appears to be due to 

 the late easterly gales and consequent withdrawal of the shingle. As the latter can, 

 however, only be regarded as a fluctuating medium of defence, it will be well to 

 take the level of the shore as I found it as a datum for laying out any future works. 

 The two west bays I found lower than usual, and Captain Baillie informed me he had 

 never seen them so low as during my visit, and the breastwork was consequently 

 more exposed than when he made his report. I found the west timber revetment at 

 the west end and at the ninth groyne 2 feet above the shingle, at the centre of revet- 

 ment 6 feet above, and at its east end 5 feet 6 inches above ; the south-west angle of 

 the bulwark 3 feet above ; the bulwark at the eighth groyne near the west end 5 feet 

 above, at the seventh groyne 6 feet 5 inches above, at the angle at sixth groyne 

 9 feet 3 inches above, at next angle 8 feet 3 inches, at angle west of fifth groyne 

 5 feet 6 inches above, and east of fifth groyne 5 feet 3 inches ; thence running up 

 eastward to level of bulwark, where it continued to gather during the latter part of 

 my stay, until it stopped and ran over the south-east angle of the bulwark into the 

 next bay. 



It appears that usually the west bay revetment and west end of bulwark have a 

 bed of shingle in front, which was, during my inspection, as will be seen above, very 

 low, but was again accumulating. The recent abrasion on the east side is shown by 

 the east groyne being visible, as it is usually buried in shingle. No. 2 groyne is also 

 usually more covered. No. 4 groyne appears usually to have a good supply on each 

 side, but the great accumulation appears usually to cease at the angle here. Captain 

 Baillie proposes a new groyne, but even here it appears that the face of the breast- 

 work is not usually exposed. The most exposed point, as might be expected, is the 

 salient angle at groynes Nos. 6 and 7. 



The shore fronting the redoubt may be said to be divided into eight bays by 

 No. 9 groynes, throwing out of consideration the more ancient and dilapidated ones. 



