Early Maps as Historical Evidence for Coastal Change

Abstract

This paper is one of a series considering the development of Orfordness and the surrounding area, together with the processes which have been involved (see Carr, 1967; Carr, in press; Carr and Baker, 1968). Historical evidence suggests rapid growth of the spit towards the south-west in the later sixteenth century; carto? graphic data prior to about 1800 a.d. are limited in either their cover or their accuracy, and the information provided is rather inconclusive. From the nineteenth century both cartographic and documentary information demonstrate that the distal point of the spit has fluctuated widely and its rate of growth during periods of accretion has been very variable. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.28 on Wed, 31 Aug 2016 04:24:09 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms EARLY MAPS AS HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR COASTAL CHANGE 39 References: (a) Published Balding, B. J. and P. Turner 1908 'Orford castle: its history and structure*, in Memorials of Old Suffolk, ed. Redstone, 48-66. Camden, W. 1586 Britannia. (Published in Latin.) Carr, A. P. 1962 Cartographic record and historical accuracy. Geography, 47: 135-44. -1965 Shingle spit and river mouth: short term dynamics, Trans. Inst. Br. Geogr. 36: 117-29. -1967 The London Clay surface in part of Suffolk. Geol. Mag. 104: 574-84. -(in litt.) The evolution of Orfordness, Suffolk before 1600 A.D.: Geomorphological evidence. -and R. E. Baker 1968 Orford, Suffolk: evidence for the evolution of the area during the Quaternary. Trans. Inst. Brit. Geogr. 45: 107-23. Clarke, W. B. 1839 On the geological structure and phaenomena of the county of Suffolk. Trans. geol. Soc. Lond. 2nd series; 5: 359-68. Cobb, R. T. 1957 Shingle Street, Suffolk. Rep. Fld. Stud. Coun. for year 1956-7: 31-42. Irving, J. 1933 Rivers and creeks of the Thames Estuary, The Yachtsman*s Pilot, Vol. I, 2nd edition. Redman, J. B. 1864 The east coast between the Thames and the Wash estuaries, Minut. Proc. Instn. civ. Engrs. 23: 186-256. Redstone, V. B. 1908 The Suffolk shore, in Memorials of Old Suffolk, ed. Redstone: 221-43. Robinson, A. H. W. 1962 Marine cartography in Britain. Steers, J. A. 1926 Orford Ness: a study in coastal physiography, Proc. Geol. Ass. 37: 306-25. -1946 The coastline of England and Wales, ist edition, (2nd edition 1964). (b) State papers and other manuscripts