This feature is recorded in the English Heritage Historic Area Assessment for the St Mary Hoo Parish. The report states: "After 1530 the North Kent Sewer Commission constructed and maintained a sea wall along the river frontage; this formed part of a sub section known as the High Halstow and St Mary Level. Rising sea levels and periods of stormy weather in the 17th and 18th century necessitated regular upkeep of the walls and drainage ditches to prevent sea water incursion and in the 1740s 2280 tons of chalk were required to strengthen in the walls at High Halstow and St Mary. One consequence of the commission's activites was formation of an inlet known as St Mary's Bay". (1)

<1> historic england, 2014, Hoo Peninsula Outline Historic Area Assessment: St Mary Hoo Parish. Research Report 2014-52 (Bibliographic reference). SKE31593.