Table 2 

 Belhaven Harbor Breakwaters 

 Belhaven Harbor, North Carolina, SAW 



Date(s) Construction and Rehabilitation History 



1940 Two creosoted timber breakwaters, each 1,950 ft long and located at 

 the mouth of Pantego Creek (Figure 5), were constructed at a cost of 

 $73,187. As part of an existing project providing for a 12-ft mlw 

 channel, the breakwaters were an experiment to provide some relief 

 from beach erosion, high winds, and, generally, to make Belhaven a 

 safe harbor for vessels. The face of the breakwaters consisted of 

 4- by 8-in. vertical timbers (pales) on 12-in. centers, extending 

 from -1.2 to +3.5 ft mlw. The pales were held in place by timber 

 wales, piles, and metal connectors. 



1972 A survey of the structural condition of the breakwater indicated it 

 was in poor condition and was not proving effective as a barrier to 

 incoming wave energy. All the metal connectors were severely cor- 

 roded, creating a navigation hazard when members broke away during 

 storms. Numerous timber members were missing or decayed and broken. 

 It was concluded that major repairs would be required to restore the 

 breakwater to a safe and operational condition. Because of the 

 shallowness of the structure (-1.2 ft mlw) and the openings between 

 vertical pales (supplemented by visual examinations) , it was con- 

 cluded that the structures had little or no effect in attenuating 

 wave energy. 



1982 Visual examination showed that approximately three dozen timbers 

 were missing over the length of the breakwaters. Also, a few 

 pilings were missing. It was thought that the damage resulted from 

 the impact of transient barges tied to the structure. 



1985 The structure does not provide its intended wave protection, but at 

 present there are no plans for improvement. 



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