Wherever a shoal of sand exists in the offing, at a distance beyond where the ebbing of the tide recedes to its greatest extent, denominated low water mark, there the innermost shallow will probably be: another shoal immediately forms, the base commencing at low water mark, and a gradual rise takes place towards the cliffs, terminating at or beyond the extent of the flowing of the tide denominated high water mark. Here, then, the shoal will be more efficient; the tidal wave and current will be checked and broken against the ascending bank. But should a shoal of sand form whose superior surface terminates at low water mark, the innermost shallow {41} will be observed nearer to, and its course frequently terminate in, an angular direction to the cliffs; and between the intermediate spaces of the shoals existing in the offing, a current frequently sets in towards the shore, which will aid the force of the tidal wave and current, when called into excessive action, in its attack either upon the cliff opposite, or a partial shoal nearest it. Under these circumstances, the one will soon lose its inclined surface, and the other will become undermined. Where shoals of sand exist in the offing, there the beach is widest, and where they do not exist, there the beach is narrowest. CHAPTER V. MEANS TAKEN TO ARREST THE DEPREDATIONS OF THE GERMAN OCEAN BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS.—THE ERECTION OF JETTIES, PIERS, AND GROINS CONSIDERED.—THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ARISING FROM THE TWO FORMER AT YARMOUTH AND CROMER—THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE LATTER AT TRIMINGHAM, AND THEIR INJURIOUS EFFECTS ON OTHER COASTS DEMONSTRATED. IT appears, from the observations of Mr. Palmer and others, that if a pier or groin be erected anywhere on our southern or south-eastern coast, to stop the progress of the beach, a heap of shingle soon collects on the western side of such artificial barriers, {42a} while on our eastern coast, sand, stones, &c., accumulate to the northward. The plans hitherto pursued by public and private individuals have been to place abrupt perpendicular bodies, not to the southward of the property they have been most anxious to save, but have erected them directly opposite. Thus Mr. Wheatley, of Mundsley, {42b} had the hulls of old vessels placed upon the shore at the base of the cliffs adjoining his property; they were filled with large stones, secured with piles driven into the beach on either side, fore and aft, also by a strong chain cable, &c.; but a few years since they were entirely removed by the sea during a heavy gale of wind from the north-west upon a spring tide.