John McCosh

“ Here a belt of slender reeds was as effective as a substantial breakwater of masonry.
"Again, on the coast of Africa, near Cape L'Agulhas, the rocky coast is fringed for a quarter of a mile, more or less, with tangled seaweed secured to the bottom, by long ropy stems ending at the surface in filaments like ribbons that float upon the surface. ”

“ The Surf as it rolls in, higher than it ever does at Madras, is broken and quite put down before it gets half way through the belt of seaweed. When the weed is not continuous to the shore a second Surf forms in the clear water (as it would do after passing through an artificial floating breakwater) , lower than at first, but still heavy. I have rowed a crazy boat amongst such seaweed with impunity, whereas had no weed existed, not even a Massoola boat could have Used, yet the Surf was disarmed of its danger by floating filaments of seaweed! ”

“ A floating breakwater of carpentry appears more feasible, but as I will shew,it would be of very little service;for the surf though broken in passing through the carpentry, would speedily be formed again, as the wave rolled in shore, and nearly as high as at first. ”