History and Pj'ogress. 



5 



miles for steamboats the whole length of Donkgall Quay, 

 extensive docks and shipbuilding yards, beyond which there 

 is a straight course out to the open sea. Queen's Quay 

 on the County Down side is devoted to the discharging 

 of coal steamers; beyond this are Abercorn Basin and 

 Queen's Island Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering 

 Works. An extensive reclamation of land is at present 

 being made on the County Down side, and the formation 

 of the new Muscrave Channel, which will very largely 

 increase the accommodation of shipping interests. 



A daily service of steamers is carried on between Belfast 

 and the principal cross-( hannel ports. There are also weekly, 

 bi-wt-ekly, and tri-weekly sailings to many other British ports, 

 besides regular steamers trading to various foreign countries. 

 Steam-ferries, which cross the harbour at different points, ply 

 regularly during the day. A range of capacious sheds, for the 

 protection of cargo waiting shipment or delivery, extends 

 the entire length of the steamboat quays, and the different 

 railway companies can bring their goods trains along the 

 quays for direct shipment, or vice versa, of goods in transit. 



The Harbour Comimissioners (Sir James Musgrave, 

 Chairman), who control and regulate all matters connected 



