NOTES RELATING TO COAST
221
will require to be cleared from time to time, until the cliff reaches
the angle of the slope compatible with permanent stability. But
at the end of such artificial protection, Nature resumes her sway,
eats into the undefended face, gets behind the masonry or
concrete, and destroys it length by length. The only effectual
system under the conditions is that of closely-set groins rising
above springtide level, to accumulate sand and check the removal
of slipped or solid clay. How far this may be regarded as a
matter of imperial rather than of local interest and duty is a
political question unsuited for discussion in these pages.
NOTES RELATING TO COAST EROSION IN
ESSEX AND SUFFOLK.
EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE
OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
The Committee on Coast Erosion was appointed in 1881 at
York. A preliminary Report was issued in 1884 and detailed
reports appeared in 1885, 1886 and 1888. The final Report with
summary of the evidence was issued in 1895. As these reports
are somewhat scattered it may be well to summarise those
relating to our coast, as an addendum to Mr. Dalton's remarks
above. The somewhat crude diction arises from the notes being
concise answers to a set of very definite questions.
In the second Report (Brit. Ass. Rcp. 1886) Mr. John Bateman, of
Brightlingsea, gave some evidence concerning the Estuary of the Colne, in
which he stated the nature of the coast to be a fringe of flat salt-marshes
overflowed at high tides. They form small cliffs of about 5 feet, and then
soft mud reaches to low-water mark. There is no shingle. The coast-line
is N.E. to S.W. and the prevailing wind is S.W. The E. wind is most
important in raising high waves. The set of the tidal currents is the same as
the mouth of the Thames. The coast is being worn back by the sea almost
without exception from the mouth of the Thames northwards, and eastwards
certainly at Mersea, Brightlingsea, St. Osyth, and Clacton. The cliffs only
commence at Clacton. Questioned as to the rate of erosion he stated that the
area of one salt-marsh of about 10 acres had diminished by nearly one-third
in 20 years. The Tithe Commutation Map of Brightlingsea (1822 ?) shows
"West Marsh Point" to have been something like 100 yards seawards of its
present position. Land is being gained from the sea, and something like 700
acres of Brightlingsea were enclosed from the salt-marshes, 1700-1800. No
record has been preserved of exact dates, but a map of 1780 shows much now