HISTORY OF HASTINGS .
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to be traced the vestiges of a Roman encampment. It is of considerable extent, and appears to have been strongly fortified, for which purpose no situation could have been more advantageously selected. ( 1 ) Its summit affords one of the finest and noblest views of the town. About half a mile to the west, are the white rocks, on which, during the late war, were placed some heavy pieces of ordnance, which were taken out of the San Josef, a Spanish three-decker, captured by that brave and distinguished officer, the late Earl of St. Vincent, in his memorable victory over the Spanish fleet in 1797. This ship struck to that of the gallant Nelson, who received one of his many honourable wounds in boarding her. These cannon are now dismounted.
The Fort , Pier, &c. Hastings had formerly a good harbour, and a large wooden pier, which ran out, in a south -east direction, below the site of the fort, admitting large vessels to lay and unload along side it. This pier, about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, was destroyed by a storm ; since which time it has remained a stade, as it still continues. The Queen granted a contribution , towards making a new harbour, but the money raised, as we are told by Camden, in his Britannia, was quickly converted into private purses, and the public good neglected ." Very large pieces of timber, the remains of this intended pier, may be still discerned at low water, when the tide has cleared the beach, covered by enormous pieces of rock, which were brought there to form the foundation ; and three or four long rows of piles are visible every day, at what is termed "half-ebb, " which shew the direction the pier ran in. The annexed view , taken from opposite the fort, shews the appearance of the remains described .
(1 ) " After the emperor Claudius's departure," says Major Roy, in his Military Antiquities, " Platius seems to have dispatched Vespasian to reduce the Belgic Britons, inhabiting the coast of the channel from Sussex towards Cornwall. He is said to have fought 32 battles with these people, and to have conquered the isle of Wight." Probably the above encampment was formed at this time ; the Major, however, does not describe it.
