278 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
On Friday morning, before the arrival of the main party, a visit was paid to the
Church (St. Mary) under the guidance of Mr. Rogers (warden) and the Rev. G. C.
Berkeley, rector of Southminster. It stands about a mile north of the town. Mr.
H. W. King describes it as being only exceeded by six or eight in Essex for
spaciousness and stateliness. There is an early 12th or late nth century Norman
font of Purbeck Marble. The tower and north aisle are the only remaining parts
of the 14th century edifice, showing far superior work, but the rest is much later,
belonging to the 16th century, the present church having probably been erected by
Robert Ratcliff, Earl Fitzwalter, as evinced by the heraldic insignia in front of the
south porch and elsewhere. There apparently never was a chancel arch, but two
chapels (north and south) formerly existed, and were screened off from the nave.
From the top of the tower a fine view may be had over Fowlness Island and the
Maplin Sands. It is not now at its original elevation, having been blown down in
the great storm of November 23rd, 1703, and, considering the times, was remark-
ably well restored, although the original fine pointed arch of the west window
(decorated) was necessarily shortened. A beautifully carved niche (early 14th cen-
tury) on the outside of the church, at the north-west corner, was examined with
much interest, and after Mr. Wire had taken some photographs of the porch, &c.,
a move was made to the railway station to meet the main party, who arrived at
about half-past twelve, having travelled over the new Essex line through Billericay
and Wickford, and so along the Crouch valley line, which was opened on
July 1st.
A short walk soon brought the party to the hospitable mansion "Hill House,"
where they were received in the kindest way by Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers.
Luncheon was served in a spacious marquee on the lawn, and with the abundant
floral decorations and the luxuriant gardens around, the scene of the banquet was
a most charming one. The health of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers was proposed by the
President, Mr. Fitch, who said that it was entirely through Mr. Rogers' kindness
that the Club would have an opportunity of seeing the Crouch river and the
sands outside, a remarkable piece of coast line. The toast was most heartily
honoured, and Mr. Rogers having replied, the party walked down to Burnham, so
famous for its oysters, through the broad street, and on to the pleasant quay. Here,
stationed a little way off, was the steam-tug "Shield," kindly lent for the occasion
by the Burnham Oyster Company. The perils of embarkation were soon sur-
mounted, and with steam up and pennants flying, the "Shield" began the voyage
to Southend, amid ringing cheers and farewells to the kind friends left behind.
The way was past "Wallas Ey," or Wallasea (commonly called "Wallis") and
Fowlness (or Foulness) Island, round the Fowlness, Maplin and other notable
"sands," past Shoeburyness, to Southend pier.
The Maplin Sands are used by the Government as shooting ranges, over which
the strength and accuracy of our heavy ordnance are tested and our gunners trained
by practice. These sands are also the source of a considerable income from the
fishery there carried on by vertical nets attached to posts, and enclosing consider-
able areas. Such fish as feed on floating matter pass unwittingly over the
boundary line, and the falling tide leaves them prisoners.
The river Crouch formerly entered the sea at Burnham, at a time when a wide
bay or receding curve of the coast extended from Bradwell on the north to Shoe-
bury on the south. It has kept its channel open between the alluvial accumula-
tions on either side, which have filled the bay, and, in the form of Fowlness Point,
constitute a marked promontory at the present mouth of the estuary. This alluvial
land constitutes a maze of diminutive continents and islands, oceans and rivers,