Islands in the Dengie Hundred
North Sea
Although there are many sandbanks that are
uncovered at low tide there are no natural islands in the sea although
there are a number of manmade structures including wind farms, Maritime
warning beacons and wartime defence towers.
River Crouch
Bridgemarsh
Island
Bridgemarsh Island with River in background
Bridgemarsh Island is about 3 miles upriver from
Burnham on Crouch within the Parish of Althorne.
Good views of the island can be taken from the main
South Woodham Ferrers to Burnham road. This view shows that today the
island is mainly marshland which is frequently overrun by high tides.
The tower blocks of Southend on Sea can be seen on the opposite River
bank.
The island has a long history of cultivation by
man. Records exist of a bad flood in 1736 following which it was
drained, piled and enclosed by a sea wall.
Following the protection the island was used for
cattle and sheep with additional uses from hunting the abundant wild
duck and catching eels which proliferated in the internal dykes.
A causeway was constructed from Stamford Farm which
allowed access to the island at low tide. The causeway was never
entirely dry although it was easily fordable.
During a bad flood in 1897 the sea wall was
breached and some livestock was drowned. Although some repairs were
carried out part of the island was lost to the river for ever.
Farming was supplemented by industry with the
island used for clay extraction and then the development of a brick and
tile works fed by a tramway linking the works to the quay on the
Riverside which was serviced by Thames Barges. Fredrick Bradbrook and
James Bates worked the site in 1870 and then The Bridgemarsh Brickfields
Co. Limited worked the site from 1878 to 1882. Problems with the
location and the need to use a wash pan to separate the clay from stones
proved that this location was not viable and in 1892 the brickworks were
abandoned.
Despite the warning no serious effort was made to
maintain the seawalls which suffered further damage by floods in 1928.
The great floods of 1953 provided the final nail
for Bridgemarsh Island. The whole of the east coast suffered serious
flooding. The clay base at Bridgemarsh was used by servicemen to fill
sandbags that were used to protect other areas of the coastline.
Ironically Bridgemarsh itself was not protected from the flood and
surrendered to the sea.
Remnants of the old farmhouse and some seawalls
can still be seen at low tide. The island is now a haven for wildlife
and salt marsh flowers that can flourish without the attention from man
for the first time for hundreds of years.
Foulness Island, Potton Island ,Rushley
Island, Havengore Island, New England Island
The islands are home to a large MOD firing range
although there are some inhabitants faming the land.
The islands are outside the geographical area
covered by this web site and as such are not detailed.
River Blackwater
Pewit Island
A yacht
moored at Pewit Island
Pewit Island is sited in the mouth of Bradwell
Creek.
The island is unprotected marshland which provides
protection to craft entering and leaving Bradwell Marina.
Pewit Island has never been inhabited or used for
farming purposes and remains a haven for sea birds.
Ramsey Island
Ramsey Island is about 2 miles upriver from Pewit
Island.
Thanks to the sea defence works Ramsey Island is no
longer a real island having been reclaimed to the extent that it merges
with nearby St Lawrence Village. It is only at times of flood that it
returns to its island status.
The area is punctuated with dykes and other
evidence of the reclamations that has been ongoing since the 10th
century.
Ramsey Island is rich in history having been
frequented by the Romans who used the area for salt production as
evidences by the presence of a 'red hill' which is an indicator of the
production.
Northey Island
Osea Farmhouse in 1903
Both of the islands are sited in the Blackwater and
both have interesting histories.
The island are just outside the geographical area
covered by this web site and as such are not detailed.
