110 Mr Stevenson 6n British Harbours. 



the air about the equator. So that the depression of the baro- 

 meter, due to the action of the wind on the acchvities of the sur- 

 face, seems to be prevented in the vicinity of the equator, by tlie 

 weight of a greater mass of air. But this, after all, is attended 

 with some difficulties. 



Excerpt Jrom a Memoir on British Harbours^ drawn up in the 

 year 1824. By R. Stevenson, Esq. F.R.S.E. & M.W. S. 

 &c. Civil Engineer. With a Plan. (Communicated by the 

 Author *.) 



L^TH Roads. — OUR nautical readers know that the Frith of 

 Forth is a principal rendezvous for shipping during the storms 

 which affect the eastern coast of Great Britain ; and as a naval 

 station, especially in the event of war with any of the northern 

 powers, it is of primary importance to the best interests of the 

 nation. To those who are not locally acquainted with this 

 great estuary, we may notice, that its access is obvious, and its 

 navigation easy. Leith Roads, which afford its chief anchor- 

 age, are ample and commodious, possessing a soft bottom, with 

 a depth of water varying from three to upwards of seven fa- 

 thoms, and, for larger vessels, to sixteen and eighteen fathoms. 

 Connected with this extensive roadstead there are other valuable 

 mooring grounds above Queensferry, which resemble the higher 

 parts of Plymouth Sound and Portsmouth, in regard to the shel- 

 ter and security which they afford to shipping. 



Leith Haebour. — Leith Harbour, the subject of the pre- 

 sent section, is situate on the southern side of the Roads above 

 described, at the embouchure of the river Leith, about two miles 

 north from Edinburgh, of which it is the port. The advance- 

 ment of this harbour is consequently an important object with 

 the corporation of that capital, and also with the constituted 



• Mr Stevenson communicated to us his Memoir on British Harbours 

 nearly three years ago ; but from the state of the I>eith Harbour Bill, then 

 before Parliament, and other considerations of delicacy, the author requested 

 us to delay its publication. There being now a variety of opinions regarding 

 this object of great commercial importance, we have obtained Mr Stevenson*s 

 consent to the publication of an excerpt of the Memoir.—EDiT. 



