84 IMPROVED FISHERY HARBOUR ACCOMMODATION 



liability exists), such vessels or boats would be much 

 damaged on their keels and bilges, possibly even wrecked 

 in port, through the existence of a rough artificial beach. 



If a vessel or large boat parts from her fastening, or 

 drags her anchors in an outer harbour, she is likely to 

 receive less damage against a vertical or nearly vertical 

 wall than on a rough slope, for as soon as she falls broad- 

 side on, the recoil from the wall will partially diminish the 

 force of the shock, and her damages will probably be 

 confined to her upper works, or as sailors term it her 

 " topsides." The crew also may find opportunity of lowering 

 fenders between the vessel and the wall, and prevent a 

 good deal of damage until assistance arrives ; but on a slope 

 of large rubble stone she will probably remain grinding 

 until entirely aground. 



POSITION OF THE OUTER ENTRANCE. 



The position of the outer entrance, it will be observed, is 

 about three-fourths of the breadth of the harbour to 

 leeward; this position is chosen to give as much sheltered 

 space as possible to the outer harbour, and although a 

 vessel or boat, which has made good her entrance through 

 the outer piers, if the wind be blowing diagonally off the 

 land from the south eastward could not fetch through the 

 inner pair of piers, there will manifestly be no sea to 

 contend with, and this being the case she can stand on 

 towards the western quay, and work up either for the 

 weather quay or the inner harbour. All winds, from 

 south-east round southerly to south-west, being off shore, 

 we have not to provide against them, whilst all other winds 

 round southerly will lead boats or vessels in freely, past 

 each pier-head in succession. 



