The Sea versus Wick Breakwater 1863-77 - an instructive disaster

摘要

Two failure mechanisms resulting from the force of the sea in south-easterly storms at Wick have been identified against which the breakwater was swept away despite an impressive remedial effort. The February 1870 failure stemmed from a clash of primary and secondary waves at the breakwater east face about 60 m from its seaward end forcing water up to 18 m in height which, in falling and destroying the hearting and inner wall, breached the work.