NHER 39162 (Monument record) - Post medieval timber posts

December 2004. Norfolk NMP.
Several lines of roughly parallel timber posts are visible on aerial photographs to the immediate east of a groyne and Cromer Pier (S1). These posts may be the remains of the existing East Groyne 1 or part of an earlier groyne. However it is also possible that the rows of timbers relate to the Pier of 1732 or even the 1591 Cromer Jetty, both of which are thought to have aligned with the northern end of Jetty Street. A similar arrangement of posts is located to the east of this site, inbetween the East Groyne and the present Pier, which are thought to be part of the 1846 Pier (NHER 39168).
The site is centred on TG 2199 4239. At least four lines of post are visible projecting from the beach material, although it is possible that more are present. The western edge of the timbers run from TG 2197 4237 to TG 2200 4244 and the eastern edge runs from TG 2198 4237 to TG 2199 4240. The western line of posts appears to be relatively parallel to the existing East Groyne 1. However the eastern line appears to splay out slightly to the east towards the northern, seaward side. This may indicate that they are not necessarily part of the same structure or phase.
It is possible that these line of timber posts are part of the existing groyne structure 'East Groyne 1', which possibly dates to the mid nineteenth century phase of sea defence. This groyne was then rebuilt in the late nineteenth century (S2, p6). A total of 6 rows of stumps have been recorded in the beach, possibly former holding posts. Some of these are not completely parallel to the existing groyne. This sounds entirely consistent with the posts visible on the aerial photographs. It is suggested that some of the less parallel rows of stumps may relate to another structure.
However this positioning, to the east of East Groyne 1 and in alignment with Jetty Street is recorded as having been the location of the 1732 Jetty and also the western arm of the 1590-1 Jetty (S2 pp3-4). The exact location of these structures is not known on the ground. However a series of stumps parallel to the East Groyne 1 were identified and surveyed by Philip Vicary in 1970 after exposure at high scouring tides (S2, p4). It has been suggested that these rows of stumps could be the remains of either structure. A wooden groyne type structure is visible in a photograph of 189? (S3). Examination on the foreshore at the next scour would hopefully provide further clarification.
S. Massey (NMP), 22 December 2004.