I have been  doing some research on the History of Galveston's North and South Jetties.   Here is a paper published about 20 years ago - very informative - a little technical, but still an amazing find. Construction and Rehabilitation History of the Galveston  Jetties     Costal Hydraulics Laboratory Fact Sheet   Galveston  Harbor  Jetty, Galveston  Texas   www.tpub.com     Tech Report 9    1874-1879       The first attempt at constructing jetties was begun by placing cement covered gabions over distances of 9,700 and 2,200 ft. on the north   (Bolivar Point jetty) and south (Fort Point jetty) sides of the inlet, respectively. An additional 500 ft of north jetty was constructed of timber piling at its landward end. The gabions were 6 ft high and wide, from 6 to 12 ft long, and filled with dredged sand once positioned. The jetties were submerged, extending no higher with the majority from 5 to 6 ft below than mean low water (mlw). The gabionades were unsuccessful in either securing a...