The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-27 00:00:00

Feet. I Grains.
42 ' 10.26

Low water at the surface
Half flood tide—
At 9 feet below the surface
High water—
At the surface
At 9 feet below the surface
At 18 feet below the surface
At half ebb tide—
At the surface

51.29

60 I 24.10
51 ! 22.28
42 53.76

51 30.93

Examination of the Bodies in Suspension.
Proportions
Sand
Lime with a small quantity of argile and
oxyde of iron
Vegetable substances

24
24

100
" The Commission was not satisfied with these ex-
periments ; it asks for fresh ones,- for the purpose of
ascertaining the quantities of substances kept in sus-
pension by the running of the tide on the Dover coast,
and liable to be deposited. The Commission asks that
these experiments may be continued for a whole year
under the directions of the Board of Admiralty. Here
are the conclusions of the Commissioners in favour of
Dover, adopted unanimously, excepting one dissentient
vote—that of Sir W. Symonds.
" Dover at four miles and a half from the Goodwin
Sands, advantageously situated for affording protection
to the navigation of the Straits, is the natural station
for ships of war ; there can be no doubt of its im-
portance in a military point of view. Further, the
construction of a harbour of refuge at this spot is indis-
pensable, in order to give to Dover that efficaciousness as
a naval station necessary to the safety of that part of
the coast, and to protect commerce.'
" Following the English coast from Dover to the
westward the first projecting land or cope which pre-
sents itself, at a distance of twenty-eight miles, is a
remarkable situation, which attracted the attention of

the Commissioners.
" The cape of Dungeness is p-otected by a fort erec'ed
near the extremity, behind the lighthouse, and by four
batteries at the sides, two to the east and two to the
west. This cape presents a singular conformation of
shingles spread over a space of several miles, stretching
out into the British Channel, and terminated by deep
water, close to both its extremities. This bank, in front
of Dungeness, has considerably advanced into the sea
since the lighthouse was constructed in 1792. At that
period, at low water, the sea was at no more than 100
yards from the tower, whereas it now is at 190 yards,
which is an increased length of 90 yards in half a cen-
tury. The Commissioners recommend that regular
surveys be made in order to ascertain the annual pro-
gression of the bed in front of Dungeness light-
house. Tho two bays to the east and west of this cape
afford an excellent anchorage. More than 300 sail
of shipping have ridden at anchor at the same time
in the eastern bay, and more than 100 in tue western
bay, as the winds caused the one or the other to be

selected for a place of refuge. The only inconvenience
attendant on such a good anchorage is not to have at
hand, as at Dover, Seaford, and Portsmouth, the advan-
tage of an inner port. This inconvenience, added to the
very short distance from Dover, is the reason which has
led the Commissioners not to recommend the construe-

lion of any considerable works at Dungeness. When
nature, rightly say the Commissioners, affords such a
convenient shelter, it will always be a matter for serioux
consideration to be satisfied with that which is found to
be well, in order to reserve the means of bestowing on
other places of admitted importance as to situation the
artificial assistance which may give them the capacity of
a safe and sheltered anchorage. These reasons have led
the Commissioners to lay aside any idea of erecting a
breakwater for protecting the anchorage to the east of
Dungeness.

"Starting from the cape of this name, proceeding to
the westward, the coast again recedes, and forms some-
thing of a bow, at the centre of which is the celebrated
situation of Hastings ; at the extremity of the bow or
semicircle is Beachy Head. To the east of this cape is
the Bay of Eastbourne ; to the west are in succession
Seaford and Newhaven. The Bay of Eastbourne is pro-
tected by a series of Martello towers, constructed at the
time of the preparations of England against our expedi-
tion from Boulogne ; they are close to the highest water
line, in order to be the more effectual against a landing,
very feasible in that direction, as was proved not far
from thence by William the Conqueror. In front of
Eastbourne the bed of the sea is very irregular ; sound-
ings were taken with very particular care ; the conse-
quence of which has been to induce the Commissioners to
abandon the idea of erecting a breakwater, which would
cover too confined a space in proportion to the necessary
outlay.
"They turned their attention wholly to the other side
of the cape, on Seaford ; here there is a magnificent
anchorage, which fortunately is at an equal distance
from Dover and Portsmouth. Such is the intermediary
situation at which the Commissioners have not shrunk
from recommending to the Government the erection of
great works. It recommends in a direction from N.N.E.
and having to S.S.E., a breakwater or jetty, of one nautical mile
inlength,
a rectilinear return at each ex-
tremity, be constructed. This jetty to be constructed
towards the middle in 41 feet water, and something less
at the extremities. Behind this long jetty there would
be more than sufficient Water for first class vessels ; and
nearer land there would be an extensive space for mer-
chant vessels of all tonnage. This formidable situation
would threaten, at the same time, all the French ports
comprised between Havre and Boulogne.

• Travels in Great Britain, Part 1., " Military Strength"
2 vols. 4to. Part 11., " Naval Strength," 2 vols. 4t0., with
an atlas to each part.