In fact the Albert Embankment was built on arches to permit vessels to continue to access landside business premises, such as draw docks; these already had their own defensive walls -- as did most of the tidal Thames. After the Embankment was completed, floods continued to occur owing to defects in these walls (e.g. in 1877 and 1928). Any flood protection the Embankment gave was incidental.

Unlike Bazalgette's Thames Embankment