CHAP. IX. WICK HARBOUK. 391 



of about 5 8 DO/., a capacious and well-protected tide- 

 basin might be formed, capable of containing about two 

 hundred herring-busses. The Commission adopted his 

 plan, and voted the requisite funds for carrying out the 

 works, which were begun in 1808. The new station was 

 named Pulteney Town, in compliment to Sir William 

 Pulteney, the Governor of the Fishery Society ; and 

 the harbour was built at a cost of about 12,000/., of 

 which 8500/. was granted from the balance of forfeited 

 estates. A handsome stone bridge, erected over the river 

 Wick in 1805, after the design of our engineer, con- 

 nects these improvements with the older town : it is 

 formed of three arches, having a clear waterway of 156 

 feet. The money was well expended, as the result 

 proved ; and Wick is now, we believe, the greatest 

 fishing station in the world. The place has increased 

 from the dimensions of a little poverty-stricken village 

 to those of a large and thriving town, which swarms 

 during the fishing season with lowland Scotchmen, fair 

 Northmen, broad-built Dutchmen, and kilted High- 

 landers. The bay is then frequented by upwards of 

 a thousand fishing boats, and the take of herrings in 

 some years amounts to more than a hundred thousand 

 barrels. The harbour has of late years been con- 

 siderably improved to meet the growing requirements 

 of the herring trade, the principal additions having been 

 carried out, in 1823, by Mr. Bremner, 1 a native engineer 

 of great ability. 



1 Hugh Millar, in his 'Cruise of 

 the Betsy,' attributes the invention of 

 columnar pier-work to Mr. Bremner, 

 whom he terms " the Brindley of 

 Scotland." He has acquired great 

 fame for his skill in raising sunken 

 ships, having warped the Great Bri- 



work is still to be seen quite perfect. 

 The most solid mode of laying stone 



on land is in flat courses ; but in open 

 pier work the reverse process is 

 adopted. The blocks are laid on 

 end in columns, like upright beams 

 jammed together. Thus laid, the 



tain steamer off the shores of Dun- I wave which dashes against them is 



drum Bay. But we believe Mr. j broken, and spends itself on the inter- 



Telford had adopted the practice of j stices ; whereas, if it struck the broad 



columnar pier-work before Mr. Brem- solid blocks, the tendency would be 



ner, in forming the little harbour of to lift them from their beds and set 



Folkestone, built in 1808, where the j the work afloat; and in a furious 



