The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-28 00:00:00

PROPOSED BREAKWATERS.

Having made such observations respecting; the diffo.
rent ports as may be necessary to enable your Lordships
to form a judgment on the proposals we have to sub-
mit, and having given to the subject referred to us all
the attention which its importance demand; we recom-
mend:—

I. That a harbour be constructed in Dover Bay, ac-
cording to plan No. 1, with an area of 520 acres up to
low water mark, or 350 acres without the two fathom
edge; with an entrance 700 feet wide on the south front,
and another of 150 at the east end.
Entertaining the strong opinion we have expressed of
the necessity of providing, without delay, a sheltered
anchorage in Dover Bay, we venture to urge upon your
Lordships' attention the advantage of immediately be-
ginning the work by carrying out that portion which is
to commence at Cheesman's-head.
Whatever may be finally decided upon as to the form
and extent of the works in Dover Bay, the pier from
Cheesman's head, run out into seven fathoms water, ap-
pears to be indispensable as a commencement, and it will
afford both facility and shelter to the works to be subse-
quently carried on for their completion.
This will give sheltered access to the present harbour
during south-west gales, and protect it from the entrance
of shingle from the westward ; it will afford time also
for observation on the movement of the shingle within
the bay, and for further inquiry as to the tendency
which harbours of large area, on this part of the coast,
may have to silt up.
These inquiries the Commission consider to be of
essential importance, and the results will afford the
means of determining on the greater or less width
that should be given to the entrances of the proposed
harbour.

2. We propose that a breakwater be constructed in
Seaford Road, in a depth of about seven fathoms of
water, one mile in extent, and sheltering an area of 300
acres, as shown in plan No. 2.
3. That a breakwater be constructed in Portland
Bay, to extend a mile and a quarter in a north-eastern
direction, from near the northern point of the island, in
about seven fathoms of water, having an opening of 150
feet at a quarter of a mile from the shore, and sheltering
an area of nearly 1,200 acres, as shown in plan No. 3.
If only one work i► to be undertaken at a time, we
give the preference to Dover, next to Portland, and
thirdly to Seaford.

MODE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Various plans for constructing breakwaters have been
laid before us by highly intelligent individuals, whose
projects are noted in the appendix, and fully explained
in the evidence.

We are directed by your Lordships to report on the
expense to be incurred by the completion of the works
which we recommend ; but, as no approximate estimate
of thi can be made without determining the general
principles and modes of construction, we have examined
the engineers who have come before us and other autho-
rities upon these important points.
The various opinions have been considered by the
Commission, who prefer for the construction of break-
waters, and for the security of the works of defence
upon them, the erection of walls of masonry.
The Commission do not offer any opinion as to the
profile or degree of slope necessary to insure to the
structure the requisite stability. They consider that
this will be best decided by the Government, under pro-
fessional advice, when the works shall be finally deter-
mined on.
The cost of either mode of construction having been
stated to be nearly the same, whether it be masonry or
a long slope of rough stone similar to that of Plymouth
breakwater, the Commission beg to lay before
,your
Lordships an approximate estimate of the works at the
several places, viz.:—