A BRIEF NARRATIVE OF THE HARBOUR, Of the Ancient Town of RYE in the County of Sussex, with the present State thereof, and Reasons for Preservation of the same.  
To be heard at the Board this present day  
THe multiplicity of good Havens and Harbours for Ships to resort to in Storms, and lie safe when arrived, being no small blessing the Great Creator hath bestowed on this Kingdom of England, and conducing so much to the benefit thereof: it becomes a duty incumbent to all Englishmen to endeavour their Preservation. And the care thereof, and provision for the same (when falling to decay) hath not been thought unworthy of the Prudence and Policy of His Majesty, and His Royal Progenitors, and the Representatives of the whole Nation in the High Court of Parliament: As may be sufficiently proved, not only by the several Acts and Statutes there made touching the same; but by the sums of Money sometimes furnished out of the Exchequer itself to that purpose.  
And although the Harbour of the Ancient Town of Rye in the County of Sussex, was never yet Chargeable to the public Treasure of the Nation: Yet hath that Great Council and Court of the King and Kingdom, viz. the Parliament provided against the damage thereof, in order to its Preservation; not only in general with other Harbours, by the Statute 34 Hen. 8. cap. 9 But in particular, by the Statute made on purpose 2 Ed. 6. cap. 30. That no Ballast, etc. be thrown into the Harbours of Rye, or Winchelsea, under the penalty of forty Shillings per Tun.  
Whosoever knows the Harbour of Rye, and shall seriously and impartially consider the state and condition thereof, and the benefit and advantage thereby, continually accrueing to many thousands both Natives and Aliens: will find several weighty and enforcing Reasons to continue the preservation thereof, although it were to be done at the Charge of the whole Nation.  
This Harbour of Rye consists principally (at this time, viz. 1677.) in one main Channel, running in from the Sea, which lies Northwest and Southeast, or very near thereto. On the South-west side of the Channel lies a Bar of Sand, which Vessels repairing to the Harbour, must leave the Larboard side as they go in. If they come from the Eastward, they may take their soundings from the Camber Beach, which reaches from the Ness point, to the Harbour, and so run in. If they come from the Westward bound for the Harbour, there be two Marks which stand on the said Camber Beach, on the East side of the Harbour, about two Miles without the said Harbour, which must be kept one with the other. And this course will bring the said Vessels (so making for the Harbour) clear of the tail: of the Sand aforesaid, till they bring two other Marks (which stand one of them upon the Cliff of the Town, and the other on the point of the Castle Beach, at the West side of the Harbour) to bear one with the other, and then the said Vessels may run right into the Harbour. And giving the point last mentioned a little distance, may Anchor in three Fathom water, at low water; or as it pleaseth run ashore at the East side of the Town, if they be destitute of Anchors and Cables, and lie very safe.  
Into this Harbour four several Waters empty themselves, and so run out into the Sea; which have served, and still are, the natural means, to cleanse, scour, open and maintain the said Harbour Navigable. Of which, two are on the West side of the Town and Harbour, and the other two on the East side thereof.  
The first on the West side, is called Tillingham Channel, or Water taking its rise four Miles from the Town, Sewing the Lowlands on that side, between Brede and Beckley, and Vdimer and Peasmarch, and anciently was much wider, and the indraught thereof more large, then now it is; because several parcels of Land have been Inned from the same within memory. And lately, to wit, about two years since, the present Tenant of Cadborough Farm in Rye aforesaid, hath presumed of his own authority (without any Patent, Commission of Sewers, or Writ, ad quod damnum) to Inn about a hundred Acres of Salts, usually before this Inning flowed by the Sea. This Tillingham Channel, is that which to preserve, the Major, Jurats and Commonality of Rye in the eight and thirtieth year of Q. Eliz. Reign, were at the Charge of six hundred Pounds to lay a Sluice, in part of those very Salts now enclosed (the Channel then running there.) About two Miles up in this Channel, have Ships of considerable burden been remembered by some yet living, to load Timber: So good was it then, before spoiled by the Innings aforesaid.  
The second is Winchelsea Channel, running up from Rye thither, and so through the levels and Lowlands of Icklesham, Pet, Gestling, and on the South side of Brede and Vdimer, and beyond Brede Bridge further into Westfield, etc. Sewing a great quantity of Marish grounds above eight Miles from Rye up in the Country. This Channel was within these twenty years last passed so annoyed and stopped by a Sluice laid cross, and Groins made therein, to, and cross the very bottom thereof: That the said levels could not Sew. So as His Majesty's Commissioners of Sewers, for the said Levels were necessitated to order the taking up the said Sluice last mentioned, and Groins placed in the Channels as foresaid, and thereby, and by deepning the said Channel about the mouth of their Sewers, and heightening their Walls, have reaped much benefit, and secured the said Lands by the one, from lying drowned by the Fresh, and by the other, from being drowned by the Salt-water.  
The third and least considerable, is that called Wenway water, or Channel lying to the East of the said Town of Rye, and on the land side of the Camber Beach aforementioned, and formerly hath been deep enough for several Vessels to Anchor in, and had remained better than now it is; but that Lands have there been Inned, and more are said to be about Inning. this yet serves to Sew a good part of the Lands in East Guldeford Marsh, the Lands called Camber Lands, etc.  
The fourth and most remarkable, is that Ancient and sometime Navigable River of Rother, running into the Main Channel of the Harbour at the East side of the Town, and by the West side of East Guldeford, descending from Appledore, and so from Redding, Smalhithe, Maytam, Newenden, Bodiham, Rothersbridge, and as far as Rotherfield in Sussex above four and twenty Miles from Rye, serving to Sew many thousand Acres of Land on the South, North, and West sides thereof, and on the East side between Appledore and Rye in Shurlemere about 2000 Acres of land. In the five Watering in Romney Marsh about 9000 Acres. And in Woolland Marsh 20000 Acres, besides a great part of East Guldeford Marsh. And on the West side in Wittersham Level, about 3000 Acres. This River hath been reported of old, Navigable as far as Bodiham Castle, in the Walls whereof were said to be fastened Moaring Rings for Vessels. And there are those yet living, that heard an Ancient Shipwright of Rye say, that he helped build one of Q. Eliz. Navy Ships at Redding aofrementioned. And until the Dam or Sluice laid about ten years since (by order of the Commissioners of Sewers for Newenden Levelly) cross this River; was it Navigable to Appledore aforesaid, which is about seven Miles from Rye. For in the year 1661. was built at Appledore, a Ship of the burden of one hundred Tuns, or thereabouts, for one William Bowers of Dover. And about half a Mile from that, was another near the same burden, built for one Captain Morecock, in the year 1656. both above the place where the said Dam or Sluice is laid. And it is well known by many yet living, that before the laying of this Dam, or Sluice, and within these twenty years last passed, and less; more than twenty Sail of good Ships might Ride afloat at low Water in the Harbour of Rye, as high up as the Ferry to East-Guldeford aforesaid; where now there is so great a Swarve, that none can lie. And beyond that, there is hardly water enough for a small Lighter to go to the place where the Stop is. Nor can a Vessel of much smaller Burden, than His Majesty's Ship the St. Andrew was, (who with the Happy Return came into this Harbour in September 1666.) Ride afloat at low water where they did.  
These things considered, it is easy to see what it is which threatens the utter ruin and decay of this Harbour, if not speedily prevented, and what reason there is for preserving thereof; which being duly weighed with those that follow, it would be a wonder if it should be slighted or neglected: As,  
First, Among others, because this Harbour of Rye is, and time out of mind hath been, so great a succour for Merchants and Mariners in Storms, to save both their Lives, Ships and Goods, there being no other Harbour for which Ships in foul weather dare deal between the Downs, and Isle of Wight; (this nigh eighty Miles to the Westward, and that about Forty Miles to the Eastward.) And this Port so fitly situate in times of War, serves for no small shelter and refuge to Ships chased by any Pirate or Foreign Enemy; into which, as experience hath often testified, they put for security, who if they had further to run, would fall as pray or prize, into the hands of their Enemies.  
Secondly, The goodness of the Harbour, as for Ships to ride in three Fathom water afloat at low water, as aforesaid; and usually there flows about five Fathom water on the top of the Stream, which makes the Harbour capacious to receive a great Fleet of Ships of considerable burden; whereby the said Harbour is rendered as good a Tide-Harbor as most in England, and better than any one the French Coast all along the Narrow. Besides, Vessels have here the conveniency of cleaning a dry, or careening afloat, or for Tallowing and Victualling: And Boats ready, when Ships by any sign shall make for the Harbour to pilot them in.  
Thirdly, The advance of Trade, and thereby of His Majesty's Customs, seeing the better any Port is, the more it is frequented; and the more resort thereto, the more Victuals are spent, and Merchandise there imported and exported.  
Fourthly, By keeping the Harbour good, in removing the stops on the aforesaid River of Rother, and other Channels, the In-draughts thereby being increased: the whole Country thereabouts will receive benefit to lad and unlade their Goods in the said River and Channels, as anciently they have done, at far more easy rates then by Land-carriage; And to sew their Lands better than now they are sewed, if the Channels be but deepened, and their Walls heightened; for thereby, as aforesaid, they will be secured against damage by the fresh and salted Waters, and with less charge; whereas now, their Waterscots' on the Lowlands in several of the Rother Sewers aforesaid, are more than the Rents and Profits of their Lands; so as many have let their Marish Lands lapse into the Commissioners hands, rather than keep them to such disadvantage.  
Fifthly, If the Harbour of Rye be suffered to perish, not only Rye, but Hasting, will be ruined thereby: for they having but a stade place, are forced to lay up their Vessels of burden in the Harbour of Rye.  
To all which, others may be added, which for brevity sake are here omitted, and the consideration of all, committed to them concerned in the premises.  
FINIS.