Coast Erosion Protection Works: On the Case System in British Guiana (Classic Reprint)

Guarding a coastline with a clear plan and proven methods. A detailed account of how British Guiana protected its shores, towns, and industries from the sea.

The book explains the problems that led to erosion along the coast and the evolution of protection works. It traces early, ineffective defenses and shows how a systematic study shaped durable solutions. Readers gain insight into the kinds of structures used, the role of expert commissions, and the shift toward nature-informed protection that saved land and livelihoods.

• How waves, winds, and currents move shorelines and create erosion or accretion.
• Why older sea defences failed and how a new approach was developed.
• How groynes, fascines, and other measures were designed and placed for effectiveness.
• Historical context about planning, regulation, and funding of coastal protection.

Ideal for readers of engineering history and coastal management, as well as anyone curious about large-scale protection works in a tropical setting.