FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 35 



thirty either foundered at their anchors or went on shore 

 at different parts of the bay, some on the rocky foreshore 

 and a few on the sand beaches. Eight Brixham trawlers, 

 with the wreckage of other vessels, were destroyed at the 

 Brixham pier on the outside ; several persons were saved by 

 great exertions, but it is believed that at least 72 persons 

 lost their lives. Had an efficient refuge harbour existed off 

 Brixham, it is certain that the majority of these casualties 

 would not have occurred. An outer breakwater at Brix- 

 ham has been many years in progress by the harbour 

 authorities at Brixham, to shelter the trawlers' mooring 

 ground, as before mentioned, known as the Sedge, but their 

 work is frequently injured and partly undone, and if they 

 do not receive more assistance than the locality can afford, its 

 completion appears likely to be delayed to a remote future. 

 The late Mr. Rendel, C.E., projected in 1844 a plan for a 

 harbour for vessels of 14-feet draught, and its breakwater 

 was to have started from Shoals Point, enclosing '115 

 acres between 4 and I fathom depth close to the shore. 

 Although this would be a great boon, it is of too" limited 

 proportions to accommodate the large class of steamers 

 now in use ; and as the question is a national as well as a 

 local one, the funds should be provided by the nation 

 unless special work were required for the fishing vessels, 

 which, however, the harbour trustees would probably do 

 when required. 



OTTERMOUTH HAVEN, SOUTH DEVON. 



This much obstructed inlet is 4 miles east beyond 

 Exmouth, and a very great abundance of herrings is 

 frequently found in the bay to the eastward. It is a very 

 exposed coast, in consequence of which the boats which 



D 2 



