FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. ig 



200 tons to be used, and greater number to be of 800 to 

 1 200 tons each. Estimated cost of works, i 10,000. The 

 first block was 40 ft. thick, the width of the quay, and the 

 side facing the harbour entrance 32 ft. in length ; estimated 

 weight, 1 300 tons." Mr. Stevenson states that no work at 

 right angles to the point of maximum exposure has been 

 able to withstand the fury of the sea at Wick, and that in 

 1873 a mass of concrete was carried away from its position 

 containing 1 500 cubic yards of cement-rubble ; estimated 

 weight about 2600 tons. Mr. Bremner, C.E., recommended 

 that breakwaters in very exposed positions should be very 

 obliquely placed, and should be laid out so as to form a 

 horizontal angle of not more than twenty-five degrees with 

 the heaviest billows. He had much experience at harbour 

 works at Wick. 



THE NORTH COAST OF SCOTLAND. 



Between Scrabster Roads, near Thurso, and Loch Eriboll, 

 nearly 50 miles of coast, there is no good fishing-boat harbour. 



Much herring fishing was formerly done at Port Skerra, 

 1 8 miles west of Thurso, and a mile north-west of Melvich 

 Bay. Port Skerra is very small, but deep, and dangerously 

 narrow from rocks on each side. Melvich Bay is roomy, 

 with sufficient water, and Mr. Young states a much better 

 harbour might be constructed on the west side of Melvich 

 Bay than exists at Port Skerra. 



There can be no question that an increased number 

 of boats would be owned here if this additional harbour 

 were constructed, which the writer concurs with Mr. 

 Young in recommending. Regarding funds the writer 

 recommends the half donation method from Government, 

 and half loan extinguishment 6 per cent, method there- 

 with, as previously mentioned. 



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