Let us now consider whether a jetty could not be constructed to afford not only a delightful promenade, the necessary appendage to a frequented watering place, but the retention of sea-beach materials, and the consequent elevation of the beach.
For this purpose let wooden piles of English oak be employed, of requisite length to enter the solid strata beneath the surface of the beach. The extremity for insertion must be pointed and shod with iron, and the opposite end must be protected with a rim of the same material, which ought to project above each pile, so as to leave a cavity sufficiently deep to receive the one end of an iron pillar, about eight or more inches in diameter, if considered necessary; and the length of this iron pillar being determined, its upper part can be readily formed to support the wooden plank constituting the platform of the jetty, to which it can be fastened. Now, if the piles are inserted into the beach in a continuous range towards the sea, leaving a space between each pillar, from two to three feet apart, it may readily be inferred, that the desirable object will be realized, and a permanent good will be obtained. The expense, in the first instance, will of course be considerable, but its durability and usefulness ought to supersede such an obstacle.
It is a source of congratulation to observe considerable economy in the expenditure which so great an undertaking requires, can be effected by using, in a general way, the Pinus Sylvestris, or red fir, grown in the neighbouring plantations; [74] these, if taken down in the winter months, trimming them, and depositing them in the sea, in readiness for insertion as opportunity suits, will retain their resinous properties in the greatest abundance, and prevent the exudation, which an exposure to the spring and summer months would inevitably produce. Upon the resin they contain their toughness depends, and by adopting the above plan, and using those small in diameter, the instrument necessary for propelling them into the beach, will not disturb the surface of the pile most exposed to its influence. The following instance will prove their durability, and that a careful insertion of the piles is only necessary to render their stability certain, even if extraordinary gales should cause the legitimate beach to be disturbed.
At Mundsley, several years ago, not within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, some fishermen drove four piles, six inches in diameter, into the beach, between high and low water mark, for the purpose of forming what is termed a coy, for containing lobsters caught at sea, until an opportunity for their disposal occurred. To the piles were attached some boards, so as to form a square, within which was placed a box for their reception; and a piece of wood, fastened upon the top, prevented the box from being disturbed by the water. At length, however, it became disused, the boards attached to the piles gave way, but the latter still remain firmly imbedded in the strata beneath, and their tops are only visible when north and north-west winds prevail, the sand lying around, above, and between them being then removed.
The shipowner, and above all the hardy sailor, cannot but rejoice at the prospect of obtaining a broad beach upon an inclined plane, for should a vessel be driven on in ever so heavy a gale, instead of having to contend with the cheerless prospect now before them, rendered not only formidable, but terrible, from the numerous shoals existing on this coast, there would be only one, and the vessel would arrive at its destination in a more gradual manner; her keel would become almost immediately impacted in the sand to such an extent, as to render her steady; for the waves having to attain an ascent, would be checked in their career, and for want of depth, would neither be able to injure the vessel nor destroy the mariner: hitherto, the great power they possess has, in many instances, dashed the former to pieces after she had struck the beach, and the latter has been hurled towards it, either too suddenly, or by their rebounding, swept into the depths below; while he, poor creature, so long as consciousness or presence of mind exists, uses his feeble efforts to reach the blessed shore, but, alas! too frequently in vain; he either sinks, to be wafted to another, a lifeless, mangled corpse, or arrives too late to be saved, even if the vibration of the heart exists, for want of proper accommodation and attention. If a legitimate beach could be once formed, a little exertion and assistance from those on shore, would be able to rescue him from the now almost inevitable destruction.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CONCLUSION.
Let not the plan proposed in the previous chapter make too hasty an impression, or cause the reader to be too sanguine as to the result, however it may bear the semblance to truth and reality; but, if upon inquiry, consideration, and inspection, it is found to originate in facts, not theory alone, let no longer time be wasted in delaying a trial of its efficacy than is really necessary.
For a series of years, the wondrous body of waters has committed most dreadful ravages upon this and other coasts, not only to the loss of property, but what is of far greater consequence, human life.
Many countries, that have been destroyed, bear melancholy witness to the truth of history, and show the tops of their houses and the spires of their steeples, still standing at the bottom of the water. The German Sea has advanced upon the shores of Holland near Catt, that the ruins of an ancient citadel of the Romans, which was formerly built upon the coast, are now actually under water. In Friezland and Zealand, there are more than three hundred villages overwhelmed, and their ruins continue still visible on a clear day. The Baltic Sea has by slow degrees covered a large part of Pomerania, and among others destroyed and overwhelmed the famous port of Vineta.