256 PLYMOUTH BREAKWATER. PART VIT. 



design was not carried into effect. The total esti- 

 mate of cost, including the Point Andurn pier, was 

 1,102,440/. 



The formation of breakwaters by a similar process 

 had been practised from an early period ; and by such 

 means the moles of Venice, Genoa, Bochelle, Cherbourg, 

 and other ports, had been formed. Mr. Rennie had 

 himself adopted the same method in forming the har- 

 bours of Howth, Kingstown, and Holyhead ; and the 

 success which had followed his operations at those 

 places left no doubt in his mind as to the practicability 

 of constructing an efficient breakwater across Plymouth 

 Sound, though its situation was admitted to be much 

 more difficult. Mr. Eennie considered that a ridge 

 of rough, heavy stones would be the simplest "and least 

 costly, as it would probably be found the most efficient, 

 plan of protection that could be devised. By throwing 

 in the blocks in the given line, and allowing the waves 

 by their own action to form the slope or angle of repose 

 at which the materials would lie, the expenditure of an 

 infinity of labour and money would be avoided. In this 

 kind of work he held that success was to be secured by 

 following the laws of nature ; and, with reference to the 

 proper slope, his own expression was that " the waves 

 were the best workmen." 



The report in which Mr. Rennie embodied these re- 

 commendations excited great interest amongst naval 

 men, and led to much discussion. Many pronounced the 

 scheme to be visionary and impracticable ; and it was 

 alleged that, even if it could be executed, such a work 

 would prove altogether useless. Others held that it 

 would destroy the Sound for purposes of navigation, and 

 lead to its complete silting up ; whilst a greater number 

 criticised and condemned it in its details. Amongst 

 other critics, one of the most severe was the late General 

 Sir Samuel Bentham, a brother of Jeremy the philosopher, 

 who strongly recommended a plan of his own, con- 



