166 



E. C. ANDREWS. 



The beach, as viewed from the bay, appears to be one flat 

 curve, but viewed from any point along the beach itself it 

 may be seen to be composed of several flat curves, which 

 apparently have been determined by the interference of 

 currents generated both within the bay itself and the two 

 saltwater arms mentioned. The northernmost curve is 

 about two and a half miles, and the one immediately adjoin- 

 ing it to the south is one mile in length, while the remaining 

 mile of beach to the south is broken by three small curves. 

 For a generation at least these small salients or cuspate 

 forelands have been stationary, according to the testimony 

 of old and reliable inhabitants. The earlier shoreline of 

 the bay formed at the close of the recent submergence, lies 

 from 1000 to 1400 yards inland of the present beach. The 

 old cliffs of erosion are now subdued, and a creek, with 

 swamps, drains the portion along this older shoreline. 

 Thence to the present beach the land consists of long sand 

 ridges and troughs the longer axes of which are subparallel 

 to the direction of the beach while the summits of the 

 ridges rise to accordant heights. The sand dunes immedi- 

 ately behind, or landward of, the beach, form accumulations 

 on the sub-horizontal surface of the parallel sand bars. 



The Winds— The prevailing winds are from the north- 

 east quarter, but the dominant winds blow from the south 

 to east quarter. In the winter the prevailing wind is 

 westerly, or a land wind, causing smooth water on the 

 beach under consideration ; in summer mild to strong north- 

 east winds cause choppy waves on the beach ; local 

 "Southerlies" affect the area after periods of warm weather, 

 while storms blow at rare intervals from the south-east 

 and south-west quadrants. These occur generally as south 

 and south-east gales at a short distance off the coast and 

 heavy waves are forced through the Botany heads on to 

 the subject beach. The waves generated either in the bay 

 or in the ocean do not strike Lady Robinson's Beach 



