Work to reconstruct a section of Castletown’s historic breakwater, which was swept into the sea during storms before Christmas, began yesterday (Monday).
The stretch of solid rock wall at the top of the breakwater was destroyed at some time on the night of December 16 when the island was being pounded by strong winds and rough seas.
The storm came at a vulnerable stage of repair work being done to the wall.
Anchors being used to stabilise the wall (while the concrete and mesh spray technique was being used as part of the repairs) came loose.
The Department of Infrastructure, which has responsibility for harbours and their repair, said emergency repairs were carried out before and during the festive period in order to stabilise the damaged section of the breakwater. This work has now been completed and will enable the section of failed parapet wall to be reconstructed the week. The sprayed concrete work can then be completed.
A different section of the breakwater was badly damaged and had major repair work done during a storm surge in 2002.
The town took a hammering in January 2014, when during a storm, the sea wall by the Grammar school car park (near the breakwater) was breached causing the collapse of a large section of the car park.
Town MHK Richard Ronan said the fact the breakwater – built in 1750 and extended in 1849 - has stood solidly for so long and weathered so many storms is ‘a testimony to the workmanship of our forefathers.’
- Castletown is the top priority for flood defence work in the island. The houses in the area of the harbour suffer from severe flooding in extreme high tides and storm surges. Sea defences measures include building a wall around the inner harbour.