A Study of the Strood by W.E. Duane. Chapter 7. Page 40.

The Boundaries of West Mersea and the Strood contd.

Schedule describes the property affected as follows:- [Note 1]

Parish Township etc	No. on Plan deposited with Clerk of Peace	Description	Owner	Occupier
West Mersea	5 x y	Tidal Stream	yourself and Another	yourself

This situation raises some comical problems.
a)   How can a tidal stream be compulsorily purchased? What have you got for your money when the tide goes out?
b)   Does the purchase of the stream include the stream bed?
c)   How did Mr. Henry John May, who was one of the feoffees manage to occupy his tidal stream? Was his first houseboat on the Island?

Whatever the answer to these questions may be - no more information appears in the records about the South Essex Estuary and Reclamation Co., and the Strood remained free from further threats for a few years.

The next shock came in 1901 when the lord of the Manor received the following letter:-
[Note 2] "Southend (and District), Bradwell-on-Sea and Colchester Light Railways. ...

Note 1 ERO D/DMb/M140.
Note 2 ERO D/DMb/M146.

Date: 1965