now tised in Vortamouih Harlo7ir. 189 



of shingle ballast annually on what is called the cimvs of the 

 moorings to render them secure, which ballast was by the wash 

 of the tide carried into the bed of the harbour and lakes where 

 the ships ride. 



Having arrived at the head of my department in April 1S12, 

 1 ventured humbly to recommend to the honourable Navy Board 

 considerable alterations in the arrangement of the moorings, 

 which would not only tend to improve the iiarbour by giving 

 more space in the lower part, where the same was required for 

 ships to pass and repass, but also afford accommodation to a 

 greater number of them than hitherto could be laid up : the re- 

 commendation being favourably received, I was directed to pro- 

 ceed accordingly. 



These alterations were effected ; but the great and growing 

 evil of filling up with ballast a harbour already too shallow, still 

 continued, and produced an anxious wish for some substitute for 

 the claw, by which the application of shingle ballast might be dis- 

 continued. I was accordingly induced to make several experi- 

 ments, and after various trials, I submitted to the Navy Board a 

 model of a cast-iron Mooring Block which appeared to promise 

 fair to do away everv objection arising from the method of se- 

 curing the ground chain, being at once a substitute both for 

 clav.'s and mooring anchors. 



The Board directed two to be cast of such form and weight as 

 I wished, and when received in the yard, trials to be made to 

 ascertain what degree of resistance they possessed. 



When received, trials were made under the inspection of se- 

 veral experienced and distinguished naval officers, and the prin- 

 cipal officers of the dock-yard; which proving satisfactory, in- 

 duced me to address the Navy Board on the 2nd of Novembar 

 1814, detailing my sentiments, &c. relative to Portsmouth har- 

 bour, and the moorings, accompanied by accurate statements 

 of the trials made with the blocks, copies of which I have an- 

 nexed hereto, having first obtained the Board's permission to 

 do so. 



A trial being ordered on a lighter block, and proving equally 

 satisfactory, directions were shortly after given for their general 

 adoption, to the exclusion of every thing hitiieito used for se- 

 curing moorings, and a contract immediately entered into for 

 the supply of them. 



The superiority of the block in question over l)Oth claws and 

 anchors is manifest; it will last for ages without repair, will re- 

 sist much greater power than either, and will comi^letcly obviate 

 the use of bhingle ballast to render the mooring secure, (which 

 must liithert(t have been extremely injurious to the harbour,) as 



oil 



