The Breakwater

The Breakwater consists of a long arm stretching roughly E/W. Originally constructed of giant dressed stone blocks on a wooden frame, with smaller stone and other material such as brick and concrete used for later repairs, patching and alterations. On the landward side it is 3 tiered. Main quay is of stone blocks with plenty of later patching ; concrete surface covers original stone quay surface. Slipway in front widened and reinforced with later concrete. Second ramped and battered tier, also with giant blocks, incorporates a small surviving section of the Dyffryn Llynfi Porthcawl Railway imbedded in the stone surface, the rest covered in concrete. Top tier is the sea-wall mostly of smaller stone though some larger in centre, stepped up in centre; flights of stone steps join levels. Seaward end section is battered and faced in concrete though the lighthouse has a stone surround with stone ledges; flight of steps descends at end to water. On seaward side the defences rise at roughly 45% angle comprising a slope of giant roughly hewn and mortared boulders surmounted by 2 vertical courses of giant dressed blocks. Added concrete walkway with blue brick on top. Steps rise to the single width wall, here consisting of large stone blocks at base, small at top.