The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-30
AN ANCIENT WRECK.
An Interesting Account Of a Historical
spot.

An Interesting Account Of a Historical
spot.
Editor Morning Nelrs. In your issue Of
last Thursday there appears an account of
the discovery OF an ancient. wreckn at
Pegwell Bay, near the old Cirque port town
OF Sandwich. There are probably not many
of your readers who are acquainted with
this out-of- the-way and almost forgotten
spot. Still it is one full OF interest not only
TO the archaeological student, but to the
whole English speaking race. for in the
immediate vicinity was enacted some Of the
most stirring events in the early history Of
Britain.
There is little doubt that it was here
Julius Caesar landed B. c. 5l-although
Dover has had the credit of that event until
of late years. Prof. Furley, in his History
of the Weald of Kent, ~ with good grounds
claims this as the spot, and not only the
natural CONFORMATION Of the land here war
rants this assertion, but other remaining
evidences go to prove il. Here the invaders
fouUd G low, sandy shore, while at Dover
they were met by high, precipitous cliffs.
Here, also, are the massive ruins OF
Richboro' castle the "Portus Ritupia'9
of the Romans, about the first of their
strongholds of which we have any record
in Britain, its three massive walls still re-
manning in excellent preservation on the
land side, while its front was protected by
the river Stour, then broad estuary Of the
sea. Excepting the "Pharos' fire bea-
com at Dover, no portion Of the castle 10 of
Roman construction, and this was erected
centuries before to guide the Roman gallevs
from Gaul which then skirted the coast aud
made their way to Sandwich, thea the first
port in Britain. The Isle Of Thanet was
then separated from the main land by a
broad and navigable channel. aad SO i'm
portant did the Romans regard this water.
way that they constructed a stronghold
with large gar ison at each entrance
the Portus Ritupia at Sandwich aud Re
culver on the north side. For nearly 1900
years this was the route taken for the very
considerable traffic from France and the
Mediterranean ports, and even down to
Queen Elizabeths reigu small craft"
passed through to London.
1t was here that Saint Augustine, sent by
Pope ST. Gregory to Ethelbert, King OF
Kent, landed A. d. 597, aud a monument
erected by Earl Granville, the present lord
warden of the Cirque ports, marks the spot
There is no record that he visited Sand
| witch. but he appears to have accepted the
| hospitalities of the Abbey of Minister in the
| Isle of Thanet, some two miles distant and
then procee ded to Canterbury, where he
established the first Christian church in
| Britain.
| Inc Clnque ports, or which sandwich IS
the first, maintained their prominence in
| trade for many centurie s, and it was in
consideration of this trade that many privi-
| ileges were granted to them, they also send
| ing certain number of men to the King OF
| England for the many little wars he always
| had on hand. And this was the nucleus Of
that army of doughty warriors, the linen
Of Kent, of which whose descendants to this
day are proud to recount their deeds.
The Office of lord warden of the Cirque
| ports has always been held by some of Eng
| lands greatest statesmen and warriors.
| Until his death the Duke Of Wellington
held the position, but the glory of Sandwich
has gone. The sea, with all its fickleness. re-
ceded from its shores, and all that is left of
its former greatness are its walls and draw
bride, its deserted quays and warehouses,
while the lazy Stour flows by it on its course
to Canterbury. some sixteen miles distant,
where reigns the primate Of all England.
j. 3.