BRIDPORT HARBOUR. 193 



who had apparently enrolled the various companies along the 

 coast. The officers at our harbour, in addition to the one 

 already mentioned, were Owen Williams, Lieut. R.N., Benja- 

 min Williams, a midshipman, and William Vosper, Lieut. R.N. 

 (cf. Admiralty, accountant gen. registers, fencibles No. 67). 

 The " Western Flying Post " newspaper described in April, 

 1799, the assembly of all the local forces in consequence of an 

 alarm, unfounded as it proved to be, that a hostile landing 

 was imminent ; on that occasion the Sea Fencibles manned 

 the batteries, which suggests that the men were also trained 

 as gunners for the defence of the opening between the cliffs. 



THE NINETEENTH CENTURY PORT. 



The harbour, as we know it to-day, although venerable 

 in appearance, is not so in fact ; it was constructed for the 

 most part between the years 1823-5, additions being made 

 from time to time until 1840, when it may be said to have been 

 finished. A not unkindly critic has remarked that "as an 

 irresponsible haven for shipping it is pleasant enough," but, 

 even so, I am one of those who would be sorry to see the place 

 materially altered and its peculiar charm destroyed. 



Resuming my narrative, the burgesses found that the 

 arrangements which sufficed for the commerce of their 

 grandfathers had become inadequate about 1820, more particu- 

 larly with regard to mooring accommodation for vessels, so 

 they applied to Parliament for power to enlarge the harbour 

 upon the land previously acquired, and to levy such increased 

 tolls as would enable them to keep the works in proper repair 

 and discharge the interest upon the debt. A Bill giving effect 

 to these proposals received the royal assent in 1823 (4 George 

 IV., cap. 19), and this Act forms the charter under which the 

 business is now conducted. The old Act of 1722 was at the 

 same time repealed, and the Bailiffs and burgesses, who had 

 been the sole trustees of the undertaking, were merged in a 

 body of statutory commissioners, of which the present writer 

 is a member. 



