RATE OF EKOSION OF THE SEA-COASTS OF ENGLAND AND AVALES. 925 



As a further precaution, I recommend at the same time the erection of a counter- 

 dam across the opening under the drawbridge to the north of the basement gallery 

 doorway, and near where a similar former work stood, this barrier to be continued 

 along the base of the drawbridge pier or causewa}" as hereafter described. 



The object of the outer dam would be to prevent the sea ranging into the moat as 

 at present, threatening, as it does, to undermine the north side of the N.E. tower, 

 where a height of 4 feet of the compressed or hard sand is now displayed below its 

 exposed base. The north groyne of the drawbridge pier is in the same peril, caused by 

 the indrauglit of the great body of water at high water of spring tides that there 

 passes under the drawbridge through the narrow opening. The effect of the outer 

 dam would be to arrest the travelling shingle and to cause it to form in front of ik 

 instead of being spread over the moat. 



The inner or counter-dam under the drawbridge would confine the sea to the north- 

 ward of it in the event of the failure or leakage of the outer barrier, and would pre- 

 vent the damstge to the south moat revetment or counterscarp wall, now likely to 

 arise from so large a body of water getting behind it. The ill effect of this may now 

 be seen by the quantity of water that pours out on the receding of the tide through 

 the foreshore from under the Castle walls. 



A paved watercourse should, I think, be constructed outside the outlet pipe 

 through the south revetment-wall, the scour from wliich at present is promoting an 

 undermining of the wall. 



Coincident with these works I propose that the north timber revetment be retreated 

 and reconstructed against the sand face now exposed by the undermining of the sea. 



The broken edge of the north moat wall to be formed to a slope to approximate 

 with that of the outer sea barrier in the moat, and the timber revetment when 

 retreated and faced with stone to form a kind of projecting pier between the two. 



The exposed portions of the N.E. tower base, consequent on the failure of the 

 north revetment wall to be underpinned. 



The heart of the sea-barrier, of the counterdam, and of the backing of the north 

 revetment, to be formed with clay puddle, the two former to be also furnished with 

 wooden trunks or sluices and self-acting tidal flaps of timber, say 1 foot 6 inches 

 square, hanging outwards to allow of the retreat of any tidal water that might gather 

 behind the same from leakage or the swell from high tides topping them. 



A slope or bank of earth to be thrown up against the north side of the drawbridge 

 pier or causeway in continuation of the counterdam and faced with stone. This 

 portion of the work at present is very insecure, the stone ashlar in places being quite 

 honeycombed behind into the backing. 



If the Castle is to be maintained, the whole of the above works should, I consider, 

 be immediately executed to make it at all habitable for the approaching winter. 



Should the present statu quo continue, I apprehend the probable failure of the 

 N.E. main tower and the almost certain fall of the drawbridge pier. 



The whole of the above works can, however, as regards the permanent maintenance 

 of the Castle, be only regarded as comparatively temporary in their nature. 



Their cost I estimate at 800Z. 



Although I submit herewith a plan which I consider will achieve the object in 

 view, I feel some hesitation in recommending its adoption without first explaining 

 what appear to me inherent defects in the structure to be defended. 



The work, looking to the date and character of the masonry, exceeding three 

 centuries of age, composed of small materials, was built more as a landwork, when 

 there was a considerable barrier betwixt it and the .sea, than as one to withstand the 

 attacks of the ocean, and was founded somewhat superficially on sand, which, from 

 the stealthy encroachments cf the sea, has been undermined by degrees — it is difficult 

 to say to what extent. Not only is the work from these causes somewhat doubtful, 

 but, viewing the continued effects of the sea in its present condition, it will become 

 more so. 



If it be determined to maintain it, I propose that hereafter the maintenance of 

 the moat walls and revetments be abandoned, and that the main outer walls of the 

 Castle be entirely surrounded by an enclosing basement wall, to be carried up 

 18 inches above the sills of the lower or basement embrasures, which would then pro^ 

 bably require to be walled up solid, as those at present next the sea now are, or at 

 least on the north and south sides ; this level for the top of the enclosing wall would 

 be the range of high spring tides ; that this wall above be made nearly parallel to the 

 inclined base of the Castle walls with more projecting courses below, giving it a 

 curve outwards, the foundation carried down to within 4 or 5 feet of low water of 



