BREACH, in a general sense, denotes a break or rupture in some part of a fence or inclosure, whether owing to time or violence.—Inundations, or overflowing of lands, are frequently owing to breaches in the dikes or sea-banks. Dagenham breach is famous; it was
was made in 1707, by a failure of the Thames wall in a very high tide. The force wherewith it burst in upon the neighbouring level tore up a large channel or passage for water 100 yards wide, and in some places 20 feet deep, by which a multitude of subterraneous trees that had been buried many ages before were laid bare.