192 



THE SEA. 



said our leading journal,* " breakwaters are always associated with millions of money thrown 

 broadcast into the sea, in out-of-the-way bays and inlets, which even without these 

 obstacles to make them more dangerous, the most distressed mariner would be particularly 

 careful to avoid ; " and the writer goes on to mention several which either ought not to 

 have been attempted, or where extravagant expenditure has been incurred. " In such a 

 woeful list of hideous failure and costly mismanagement, it is a comfort to perceive that the 

 long lane begins to turn at last, and that from our now having one good standard to go 

 by, we may hope for better things for the future. Portland breakwater is a really grand 



CHERBOURG, FROM THE SEA. 



and magnificent work, and one of which the nation may well be proud if it is inclined to 

 let bygones be bygones, and forget the many successive failures before it was able to 

 attain so much." Portland breakwater is the right construction in the right place, and 

 before its erection the Roads afforded doubtful shelter to vessels in distress. One advantage 

 it enjoys, that of possessing a splendid anchorage of stiff blue clay, and being free from 

 rock or shoal from the island of Portland itself up to the very esplanade of Weymouth. 

 There, too, was the stone on the very spot ; steep and rugged heights for fortifications, a 

 noble harbour for shipping, and rail communication with all parts. But all these advantages 

 might have been ignored but for the formidable nature of the works constructed at Cherbourg. 

 The port itself is about five hours' steaming from the French Cronstadt it was designed, 

 su& ros&, to keep an eye upon. So, in 1844, the commissioners recommended that it should 



* The Times, September 14th, 1861. 



