22 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[January, 



cntiaiico was origiiiallj- 300 feet, and ojicii due. soutli. The exposure to 

 vessels miioreil in the liarhoin', was swch as to iiichioo the necessity for an ail- 

 illtional protection ; and the eit»tern jiier was extended as sliown in the 

 drawing, and the width of the entrance reduced in 'JOG feet e\]i03eil directly 

 to the south west, or tlie most prevak'nt winds. I'Vom this circumstance it 

 nir.y he readily inferred, tliat, (hninj g.iles from the quarter last mentioned, 

 Kamsgate harhonr offers hut little security. 



Dover harhour is less exposed than that of Ramsgate, but it is frequently 

 rendered iiiaeeessihle iiy the accumulation of shingle, of which the beach is 

 composed. The direction and position of the jiiers, which define the entrance 

 to Dover liarbour, liavc been, for the most jiart, designed with a view to 

 avoid tlie dilllcullies arising from the accumulation of the shingle, rather than 

 as a jnotection .igainst the etfeet of the winds. The entrance is 150 feet in 

 width, and is open near due S.E. 



Folkestone harbour has advantages over all the others on the s.ime coast, in 

 reference to its position. It is the most easily accessible, and is well jiro- 

 tected against the effect of tlie south-westerly winds. It is, however, ren- 

 dered very imperfect, and the entrance to it sometimes ira|iracfirablo by the 

 same causes, which so much deteriorated the value of Dover harbnur. It is 

 frequently necessary to remove the shingle from the mouth of it by manual 

 labour. But, in other repects, the position of the entrance in relation to the 

 prevailing wind is very favourable. The mouth faces the S.E.E., and is 100 

 feet in width. 



Swansea harbour is the most extensive artificial harbour on the British 

 coast. It is situated in the Bay of Swansea ; and has the advantage of a 

 river flowing tlirough it, by which a considerable portion of tlie bed is cleansed, 

 and its <leptb preserved. The mouth is 300 feet in width, and is exposed 

 nearly due S.W. The slope of t!ie bed is such as to occasion a considerable 

 ground swell when the wind is strong from the prevailing quarter. 



The chief qu.ility of the entrance to Folkestone harbour is derived from 

 the angles of the line of its mouth with that of tlie prevailing winds. The 

 angle is about 39 degrees, which forms an angle 210 degrees with the line of 

 action of the wind referred to. 



The wind agains iwliicb the most protection is required at Penzance is 

 S.S.E. The angle of the line of entrance as drawn in the plan is 45 de- 

 grees with that bearing, or 200 degrees with the line of force. As before 

 observed, the positions of the pier heads are so arranged, that that angle may 

 be increased, if by experience the necessity for so doing may be evinced. 



With reference to the width of the entrance of the intended hai'bour, the 

 same latitude will be preserved as witli the direction of it, for it is imjiossible 

 to determine beforehand with certainty, what width will, under all the cir- 

 eunistances, he most advantageous. In the first place I have assuiiied 1 75 

 feet. 



Having adverted to the first and most important point to be decided, I 

 have now to describe the general design for the harbour. 



In the first place, I have endeavoured to include as great an area of ground 

 as possible within the limits of the property of the corporation. The northern 

 pier is drawn near about the line of low w.ater of spring tides. Its direction 

 forms an angle of 20 degrees with that of the S.S.E. wind. — The capability 

 of the pier to resist the action of the sea is therefore satisfactory. Tlie sur- 

 face of the pier is proposed to be 30 feet in width, exclusive of the parapet 

 wall. The pier is proposed to terminate at the northern extremity of the 

 town property. 



The iiier is jiroposcd to be constructed with granite, and the interior be- 

 tween the walls to be filled with the stones obtained by the excavation in the 

 harbour. A consideralile lenglh of the northern portion of the pier need not 

 he walled in tlie substantial manner required where it is more exposed, and 

 in deeper water. Rubble work, laid with a long slope on the face in the part 

 referred to, will not only be more economical, but will also form a better 

 termination than a perpendicular wall, in as much as it will gradually divert 

 and disperse the action of the sea. 



It being the opinion of many of the nautical men that some advantage 

 would be derived by the extension of the southern pier ; and considering that 

 the extremity of it m.iy rcijuire repair and supjiort, I have proposed an addi- 

 tion to it of 50 feet. 



It may be proper here to remark that although I have inchtded hy the pro- 

 posed pier the greatest area available within the limits of the eoi-poration 

 property, the pier as designed will cost a less sum than wouhl have lieen re- 

 quisite for a more limited inclosure in the northern direction. 



The whole area thus to be enclosed will exceed 10 acres ; and there ean 

 be no doubt that such a work alone would be one of great v.ilue and iuiport- 

 anee ; but still it woidd be deficient by the total recession of the tidal water 

 from it. The area, however, is such as to allow of a portion being abstracted 

 from it for the ]mrpose of a floating dock. In the plan I have represented a 

 jiortion so abstracted to the extent of ten acres, a communication being made 

 between the harbour and the dock, by means of a lock, capable of passing 

 vessels of 500 Ions burthen. 



The division wall is represented near to a lane called Neddy Bettey's Lane. 

 The lock is so placed as to enable vessels to be passed through conveniently 

 and with safety. 



It is proposed to form a quay along the boundary of the dock, which will 

 admit of the erection of warehouses, which being built upon arches, will not 

 prevent the traffic of carriages along the quays. 



1 have not laid down any design for a quay along the front of the town, 

 bnt, have represented by a dotted line what I conceive shoidil be tlie limits of 

 « quay if su«h should hereafter be decided upon. 



At the southern extremity of the harbour I have represented a boundary 

 line, including a space which appears to me to he peculiarly suited for a ship 

 yard, in ps much as if will be a convenient situation for launcliing. 



In considering the various circiinistanees affecting the general design, I 

 have had especial reference to the pr.acticable operation of executing it. — 

 This is peculiarly important, where the work is exposed in its progress to the 

 violent action of the sea; and I have no hesitation in slating distinctly that 

 for the execution of the work, with due regard to economy, and to avoid 

 damage to it by the sea whilst it advances, it will be iicces>iary to eommeuce 

 at the northern extremity, and proceed regularly, making all its parts perfect 

 as they are severally produced. 



This view of the case constitutes an additional, if not alone a sutTicicnt 

 argument in favour of continuing the sea wall to the point mentioned. 



In conclusion, I must beg permission to state that the shortness of the 

 time within which it has been necessaiyfor me to furnish myidan and report 

 has not been permitted me to obtain and furnish them in so complete a state 

 as they should have been presented in. 



Certain sections, soundings,aiidmeasurements, are necessary, and yet want- 

 ing, and, indeed, before the subject can be continued beyond what is neces- 

 sary for the Parliamentary jiroccedings, a comiplete survey made for the par- 

 ticular objects in view will be indispensable ; and it will be equally important 

 to obtain a scries of observations upon the tides, about which I have not yet 

 lieen able to collect ant precise or valuable information. 



In forming an estimate of the expcuce of the works, I have been obliged, 

 from the absence of sufticient accurate data, to assume a larger consumption 

 of materials than I lielieve will he required, in order that the error may be on 

 the safe side ; and hence, I can, with confid^'uce, state that the sums annexed 

 will be more than sufficient for the execution of the w orks proposed. 



ESTIM.\TE OF EXPENCR. 



Erecting a northern pier, as represented in the drawing. Making 

 an addition of 50 feet to the jircsent pier; and thus constituting 

 a safe and commodious harbour i'2-1,000 



Erecting a cross wall for the construction of a floating dock of ten 

 acres in area, with a ship lock, and tide gates, and swivel bridge, 

 and forming qii.iys along the boundary of the dock 8,500 



Parliamentary and law expenses, engineering, &c., say 2,500 



-f 35,000 



ROYAI, SOCIETY.— THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



The following is the address of the President (the Marquis of Northamp- 

 ton), at the meeting of the Society on the 5th ultimo. 



Gknti.embn^A year having now clasped since you conferred upon me the 

 highly honourable office of your President, it becomes my duty, in accord- 

 ance with the example of my predecessors, to address you. The first and 

 most agreeable part of my task is to express my feelings of gratitude to those 

 (ientlcmen whom you were pleased to select as my Council. * * 



The past year has indeed been to that portion of the Royal Society which 

 takes an active jiart in its affairs, one of more th.'m usual labour and exertion, 

 — of labour and exertion, destined, as I hope, to produce rich and ample 

 fruit. The great and marking peculiarity which has attended it, has been 

 the sading of the Autarctic Expedition. The impoitance of following uj) in 

 the southern regions of the globe the magnetic inquiries so interesting to men 

 of science in Europe, was strongly felt by one of our distinguished Fellows, 

 Major Sabine, ami by him brought before the notice of the British Associa- 

 tion at their meeting at Newcastle, as he had also previously done at Dublin. 

 That great assemblage of men of science, conciuTing in the views of Major 

 Sabine, resolved to suggest to Her Majesty's Government the propriety of 

 sending out a scientific expedition; and the Royal Society lost no time in 

 warmly and zealously seconding the recommendation : and, in compliance 

 with the request conveyed to us by the First Lord of the Admiralty, the 

 Council tr.ansmitted to the Government a body of bints and instructions in 

 difterent branches of science, which I trust are bkely to be of material use 

 both to the principal and to the subsidiary objects of the Antarctic Expedi- 

 tion. These hints and instructions would have been far less extensive and 

 efficient if the Council had not been able to have recourse to the several 

 Scientific Committees, of whose formation the Society is already aware. The 

 Expedition has now sailed, amply provhled with the best scientific instrumeuts, 

 ami furnished with ample scientific instructions : it is commanded hy oiiC 

 well ac(iuaintcd both with magnetic imiuiry and nautical research. We may 

 therefore hope that, with the blessing of Providence, it will return with a 

 store of knowledge viiluable to the geographer, to the geologist, to the me- 

 teorologist, and to bini also who stuilies the marvels of vegetable and animal 

 life. In addition to all this we may hope, that the main object of the E.\- 

 pedition will be accomplished by additional light thrown on the obscure pro- 

 blems which still attend the magnetism of the earth, and that by such dis- 

 coveries Cajitain James Clark Ross may not only add to his own reputation 

 and bis country's glory, but also give to the adventurous mariner increased 

 facility and security in traversing the jiathways of the ocean. The .\ntaretic 

 Expedition was not the only measure recommended by the Uoyal Society and 

 tiie British Association to ller Majesty's Government. Another important 

 recommendation, which had previously been brought forward hy Baron Hum- 

 boldt, was the cstablishmcut of fixed magnetic obsenatories for the purpose 



