OP THE COAST LINK, ETC. 1B9 



1892 the banks at Percy Sqiiare have receded 180 feet. In 

 1868 the commencement of the end of the front row of cottages 

 had arrived. One of the cottages had at that time fallen down 

 the bank. 



From Percy Square to the Howling, or, what is called ''Park" 

 in Rook's Plan, four acres of land have disappeared— that is 

 19,360 superficial yards: this multiplied by 23, the height of 

 the banks in yards, gives 445,280 cubic yards, and, giving IJ 

 tons to the cubic yard of clay, produces 556,600 tons of clay 

 that have fallen into the estuary of the Tyne in sixty-five years, 

 or about 8,560 tons per annum. 



Here, I may state that a project was mooted some years ago 

 to protect the banks from the Lowlights to the "Howling" or 

 Park. The plan was to construct a sea wall from the point 

 reached by the Fish Quay "Works at the Salt Pans to the How- 

 ling, following the curve indicated by the foot of the banks. 

 On this wall a line of railway could be connected with the Fish 

 Quay from the goods yard at Tynemouth with easy gradients. 



In this work several interests might participate ; the Eiver 

 Tyne Commissioners might join for the protection of their river 

 from the falls of clay ; the Tynemouth Corporation to facilitate 

 a line of railway being laid to their Fish Quay ; the Duke of 

 Northumberland for the protection of his property; and the 

 North Eastern Railway for the saving of their line from Tyne- 

 mouth to Newcastle. 



The protective works outside of the Spanish Battery have 

 saved the little promontory, upon which the battery stood, from 

 destruction by the sea. 



From the Castle cliffs many serious falls of blocks of limestone 

 have taken place during the last fifty years. Recently the War 

 Office authorities have secured the eastern Castle cliff, but at 

 the expense of its wild beauty. The place is now hideous with 

 cement arches and pillars, and the interesting geological sec- 

 tion is nearly obscured. The old Roman building or "Gingling 

 Geordie's Hold" fell a few years ago, and several large masses 

 of the Castle cliffs on the north side. The sea is now washing 

 away the soil and clay at the north side of the Short Sands. 



