The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-20 00:00:00

GRAND EXPLOSION AT SEAFO RD
CL IFF.

The blasting a portion of Seeord Cliff—an opera-
tion which has for some time past excited much in-
terest and attention in the scientific and engineering
world—took place yesterday, in the presence of an
immense concourse of spectators. Seaford, it may
be stated, is a small town, or rat's-Tr village, lying on
the coast between Brighton and Hastings, and about
three miles to the east of Newhaven. It is one of the
Cinque Ports, and had the honour of being repre-
sented in Parliament by Pitt and Canning. Ps popu-
lation scarcely amounts to 1,000.
The extensive operations which have been recently
carried on, and were yesterday completed, at Seaford
Head, have been rendered necessary by the changes
which the sea is slowly, but perpetually, working in
the aspect of the coast, and by the operation of which
harbours and estuaries, in some places, are being filled
up, and portions of the shore continually swept away
in other localities. It is said that in the reign or'
Charles 11. a 64-gun ship could float in the harbour
of Rye, where now no vessel above 200 tons can
enter.
Hastings, which formerly had a commodious har-
bour, now has none, and vessels lying off the coast
are in hourly danger of being driven on the beach
and wrecked. In like manner, Seaford, which, three
centuries ago, was pessessed of a convenient port, is
now separated from the sea by nearly half a mile of
low marshy shingle, and the result was, some dozen
years since, the rise of Newhaven as a port. The
coast from Newhaven Head to Seaford Head, a semi-
' circular sweep of about three miles, is, for the greater
part of the distance, below high water mark, and is
only defended from the sea by the bank of shingle
which is being gradually, by the action of the waves,
swept out of the bay ; and if this barrier is once
carried away a vast tract of low-lying country will
he inundated and rendered useless. It has bren as-
certained that the tendency of the shingle is to travel,
by the action of the tides, from west to east, and the
object of the blasting of the cliff yesterday was to
throw down a mass of chalk so as to form a groyne
or breakwater, which would prevent the shingle being
carried out of the bay. How far the object of arrest-
ing the further encroachments of the see, and prevent-
ing the beach travelling to the eastward, will be at-
tained by the formation of this chalk groyne remains
to be seen ; but it is confidently anticipated that the
effect will be to protect the extensive tidal mills
erected at the mouth of Newhaven River by Messrs.
Catt, and also the forts and martello towers on the
coast.

Having thus briefly stated the object for which
hese extensive operations were undertaken, we now
proceed to give some account of the works them-
selves. Seaford Cliff is the termination of a chain of
hills running from the interior. It commences to
the east of the town of Seaford, rising somewhat
abruptly to the height of about 200 feet, and pre-
senting a perpendicular wall of rock for about a
quarter of a mile, running in a straight line, and al-
most overhanging the sea, which at high water
washes its base. The rock is of considerable hard-
ness, and is composed of layers of consolidated chalk,
in which black flint is embedded, dipping to the west
at an acute angle. The centre of the cliff is about
250 feet high, and this was the point selected for the
engineering operations. In the face of the cliff, about
50 feet above high water mark, the main gallery was
commenced, by means of a long wooden ladder and
stage. Much difficulty was experienced at starting
in making an opening in the se-lid rock, but as soon
as a footing had been obtained the work went on
rapidly. The gallery, which was 6 feet high
by 5 feet wide, was carried into the rock for
a distance of about 70 feet, with a rise of one
in three. Returns were then made, right and
left, in the form of a T, extending about thirty feet
on either side. At the ends of these returns two
chambers were constructed of seven feet cube, and
lined with wood, and in each of these chambers
12,000 lbs. of gunpowder were deposited, the aper-
tures being " tamped," as the engineering term is,
with bags of sand. The returns, and about fifty feet
of the main gallery, were filled up with chalk, so as
to form an effectual resistance to the explosive force
of the gunpowder in that direction. The distance of
the centre of the charge to the face of the cliff was
about seventy feet, and the height from the base about
the same. On the top of the cliff it was originally
intended to sink a semicircular trench defining the
portion of the cliff to be detached ; but the hardness
and solidity of the rock compelled an alteration in the
plan. Five shafts were then sunk, following the
semicircular line of the trench, but of these only
three were completed when the blasting tock place.
They were sunk to the depth of forty-one feet, and
at the bottom of each was placed a charge of 600 lb.
of powder, and the shaft then filled up with chalk.
From each of the chambers a ires were carried over
the face of the cliff to a wooden shed, erected about
170 or 180 feet in the rear of the cliff. These wires
were covered with tape, and varnished, to prevent
them being injured by the action of the atmosphere
or friction. Wires were also carried in the same way
from the three shafts on the summit of the rock to
the same shed, and in this shed the galvanic bat-
teries, by means of which the charges were to be
fired, were placed. There were two of Grove's large
batteries, and one of Smee's, and they were in charge
of one of the engineer officers, whose duty it was to
see to their security, and complete the arrangement of
the wires at the proper moment—the arrangement
being that the two large chambers were to be fired
simultaneously, and the three shafts immediately
afterwards. The whole of the works were under
the superintendence of Sir John Burgoyne, and the
engineer officers detached upon the service where
Captain Frome, and Lieuts. Ward, Crossman, and
Greatorex, with fifty-five of the sappers and miners,
who have been constantly employed on the cliff for
the last seven weeks. We are gratified to be enabled
to add, that, although there were several narrow
escapes and trifling casualties, no serious accident oc-
curred during the progress of the works.
During the whole of the forenoon of yesterday
special trains were running from London, Hastings,
Brighton, Lewes, end every point within fifty miles
of the scene of operations ; and the fineness of the day,
and the vast scale on which the blasting was to take
place, brought together several thousand spectators.
The point of conveyance for all the visitors was the
thriving little town of Newhaven, and here the diffi-
culties of transport began to manifest themselves.
Everything that could run upon wheels was pressed
into the service, and made as gay as paint and gaudy-
coloured calico could effect. Many thousands, how-
ever, preferred walking three miles across the rough
shingly beach rather than submit to the extravagant
fares demanded for a jolt in a van or market-cart.
From the summit of the cliff, to which the visitors
were allowed to prcceed during the early part of the
day, the view was extremely fine. The sea was un-
ruffled by a breeze, and presented a "boundless beau•
tiful plane," studded with yachts, steamers, boys, fish-
ing, and pleasure boats, gaily decorated with flags and
streamers. Looking seaward on the extreme left, up
the Channel, Beachy Head forms the prominent and
commanding termination of the view, at the distance
of about eight miles. The cliff then recedes, forming
the vast sweep of Pevensey Bay, where, 800 years
ago, William the Conqueror leaped on shore and
grasped the beach, turning his fall into an omen of
future victory. Nearer still, and almost under the
spectator's feet, is Cuckmere Haven, and turning in-
land the eye ranges over a beautifully diversified and
well-cultivated country, embracing Alfriston, Win-
dermere Hill, Walburton Church, &c. On the right
lies the little town of Seaford, almost at the base of
the cliff; the martello tower and fort, at present
occupied by the party of Sappers and Miners, in
front; and beyond these the coast-guard station
and the long level sweep of coast which ter-
minates at Newhaven and the Castle-hill, celebrated
for its ancient Roman remains, and its geological
treasures. Behind these lies Bishopstone and
the Ouse Valley, with Rodmill hills in
the distance, the whole presenting a succession of
charming pictures, which looked to unusual advantage
in the brilliant sunshine, and studded with groups of
visitors, all wending their way to the scene of opera-
tions at Seaford. The top of the cliff for a circuit of
about half a mile was marked out by a line of staffs
with red flags, and these were continued on to the
beach at about the distance of a quarter of a mile on
either side of the cliff. Up to twelve o'clock crowds
were moving about on the summit, many of them
smoking cigars with the most perfect nonchalance,
although under their feet lay more than twelve tons
of gunpowder, which a single spark would ignite,
but with as much real safety as if the tremendously
explosive materials were 100 miles off. To avoid the
least risk of danger to the public, the following notice
was extensively posted up in the neighbourhood of
Seaford :
" Die public is informed that the explosion of the
mines in the cliff at Seaford will take place this day,
Sept. 19, at three o'clock, rm., London Railway
time.
" Persons are requested not to pass the line of sen-
tinels marked out by the banderols with a small red
flag, as within that line there is danger, as the ground
will be subject to the action of the mines. "
At two o'clock a union jack will be hoisted at
the shed on the cliff, and another on the top of the
tower, preparatory to the explosion; and at half-past
two they will be hauled down to warn people of
danger.
At three o'clock the flags will be again hoisted,
when immediately afterwards the mines Rill be fired.
" G. G. Lewis, Colonel Commanding,
Royal Engineers, South west and Sussex Dlstrict.
At half-past two o'clock the flags on the martello
tower and in front of the shed were hauled down, and.
the vast crowds who had been scattered over the cliffs
and along the beach advanced as closely as the lice
of
sentinels would permit, the great bulk being congre-
gated on the beach, as it was then nearly low water,
and a good view could be obtained of the face of the
cliff. Large }umbers were also assembled on the

rising ground behind, and the boats and steamers
formed a semicircle at a considerable distance off,
giving the cliff a very wide berth. We cannot un-
dertake, from the extent and diversified charaeter of
the ground, to say how many thousands were
assembled, but as far as the eye could reach
along the beach on either side of the cliff, and on
every height and point of 'vantage which com-
manded a view of the operations, vast numbers were
congregated. As the hour approached the scene be-
came intensely exciting. So many conjectures were
hazarded as to the nature and extent of the explosion
that was about to take place, that many of those in
the front ranks involuntarily drew back, and even
those at a remote distance were speculating upon the
probability of a shower of rocks falling in the midst
of them. At three o'clock the flags were again
hoisted, and every breath was hushed—an unnatural
stillness fell upon the vast multitude, broken only
by the long heavy roll of the sea, as it swept over
the shingle. Five minutes of anxious and ahnost
painful expectation passed, and then the murmur went
round that the wires had failed from some defect or
breach of continuity, and this surmise became strength-
ened in the course of the next five minutes. When
all were preparing themselves for a disappointment of
their high raised expectations, about twelve minutes
after three a low rumbling sound was heard, like the
muttering of distant thunder, or the appalling rumble
of an approaching earthquake. Simultaneously with
this the earth trembled beneath the feet of those who
were nearest the cliff, although fully a quarter of a
mile off. The whole face of the cliff moved outward,
as if impelled by some invisible agency. The upper
part at the same time toppling over, the immense
mass fell with a roaring, crashing, deafening sound
upon the beach below, crumbling into fragments
and rolling far out into the sea, which it drove
before it in a high wave, the shock of which
was felt by the boats stationed far out in
the offing. From the surface of the mass a
thick white cloud of finely-pulverised particles
flew out before it, like the smoke that follows the dis-
charge of a piece of ordnance, and the whole atmos-
phere was at the same instant filled with a cloud of
white dust, which, mixed with the stench of the gun-
powder, almost choked the spectators. The moment
the mass of rock reached the beach a loud and hearty
cheer burst from the spectators, which was taken up
and repeated along the cliffs. It is impossible to esti-
mate with anything like accuracy the quantity of
rock that has-been dislodged, but it presents a vast
mound, at least 100 in height, and twice as broad,
running out to a point about 300 feet from the base
of the cliff. During the afternoon several additional
masses were detached from the cliff, but this did
not prevent many hundreds of persons from climbing
to the top of the mound and examining the nature and
extent of the breach that bad been effected. An in.

spection of the summit of the cliff, after the explosion
had taken place, furnished most satisfactory ei idence
of the accuracy with which the calculation of the en-

gineering officers had been made. The space defined
by the trench bad been completely swept away by
the force of the explosion, and deep fissures extended
a considerable way back, one of them not many yards
from the hut in which the batteries were placed. All
the wires were carried over and buried in the soil,
and some considerable masses of rock will probably
fall in the course of the next few days. The result is
highly creditable to the engineering skill of the
officers employed upon this service, although it re-
mains yet to be seen whether the action of the waves
will not in the course of a few years carry off the
greater portion of the chalk thrown down, unless some
additional means are resorted to to protect it from

the sea.
The inhabitants of the town of Seaford were re-
commEnded to throw open their doors and windows
to prevent any injury from the explosion. They took
the advice literally, and every house in Seaford was
an open one during the day, the number of visitors,
and the obstruction they offered to each other in their
eagerness, rendering the supplying of their wants
still more difficult. The difficulty of procuring a
supply of the creature comforts was trifling compared
with the difficulty of getting away. Although the
. . .

whole beach in front of the town was covered with

vehicles, net a tithe of those desirous of getting

away could be accommodated, and at Newhaven
fresh difficulties arose. As fast as the trains

drew up they were filled to overflowing; but,
as in all such cases, everybody got into the wrong
train, and to do the few officials justice, they were

still more bewildered by their overflow of goad luck
than the impatient visitors. It was a complete em-
barras des riehesses, and in most cases being
honestly ignorant of the destinations of the various
trains, they left the travellers to find it out at the end
of their journey. These, however, were only the usual
desagremens of an influx of business, which it was
impossible at so short a notice to provide for effectively.
All, or the greater part, were in good humour with
the gigantic operations they had witnessed, the fine
weather, and the delightful scenery ; and we trust, if
even some little delay took place, that all found their
way ultimately to their respective destinations.