FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 15 



reported on its eligibility in the following terms : " Its 

 advanced position at the most prominent headland on the 

 east coast of Scotland constitutes it a turning-point to the 

 greater part of the traffic frequenting the Moray and Pent- 

 land Firths ; it is much resorted to by wind-bound vessels, 

 and is a favourite port of call for orders as well as an excellent 

 land fall, and point of departure for the passing trade ; it is 

 the principal port of the Scotch whalers, and is a consider- 

 able station for the herring fishery ; it presents the most 

 fitting point for the collection of convoys, and for a naval 

 station for the protection of the trade on that part of the 

 coast of Scotland." 



" It was stated to us that a breakwater to convert the south 

 bay of Peterhead into a moderate-sized harbour of refuge 

 could be constructed for about 300,000, owing to the con- 

 figuration of the bay, and the abundance of granite lying 

 close at hand. . . . Under these favourable circumstances, 

 combined with the consideration of the natural facilities 

 which we have detailed, we recommend the enclosure of the 

 south bay at a cost not exceeding 300,000 ; and consider- 

 ing the proportion which the shipping trading to the port 

 will bear to those of the passing trade, which will resort to 

 it for refuge purposes, we are of opinion that the amounts 

 of national and local benefit conferred will be fairly repre- 

 sented in the proportion of one-third and two-thirds 

 respectively. We therefore submit that a grant of 100,000 

 be made in aid of the proposed harbour, to be met by a sum 

 of 200,000 raised in the locality, and to be applied to the 

 same purpose." The Harbour Trustees finding it impossible 

 to raise this large sum, the matter remained in abeyance, 

 but the Scotsman newspaper of November I, 1882, had the 

 following paragraph on the subject : " With reference to 

 construction of harbours of refuge on the east coast, we 



