396 PETERHEAD HARBOUR. PART VITI. 



from the Eoan Head, 450 feet long, leaving an opening 

 between them of 70 yards. This sagacious design un- 

 happily could not be carried out at the time for want 

 of funds ; but it may be said to have formed the ground- 

 work of all that has been subsequently done for the 

 improvement of the port of Peterhead. 



It was resolved, in the first place, to commence opera- 

 tions by improving the south harbour, and protecting it 

 more securely from south-easterly winds. The bottom 

 of the harbour was accordingly deepened by cutting 

 out 30,000 cubic yards of rocky ground ; and part of 

 Mr. Rennie's design was carried out by extending the 

 jetty of the west pier, though only for a distance of 

 twenty yards. These works were executed under Mr. 

 Telford's directions ; they were completed by the end of 

 the year 1811, and proved to be of very great public 

 convenience. The trade of the town, however, so much 

 increased, and the port was found of so great importance 

 as a place of refuge for vessels frequenting the north 

 seas, that in 1816 it was determined to proceed with the 

 formation of a harbour on the northern part of the old 

 channel ; and the inhabitants having agreed amongst 

 themselves to contribute to the extent of 10,000^. towards 

 carrying out the necessary works, they applied for the 

 grant of a like sum from the Forfeited Estates Fund, 

 which was eventually voted for the purpose. The plan 

 adopted was on a more limited scale than that proposed 

 by Mr. Rennie ; but in the same direction and contrived 

 with the same object so that, when completed, vessels 

 of the largest burden employed in the Greenland fishery 

 might be able to enter one or other of the two harbours 

 and find safe shelter, from whatever quarter the wind 

 might blow. 



The works were vigorously proceeded with, and had 

 made considerable progress, when, in October, 1819, a 

 violent hurricane from the north-east, which raged along 

 the coast for days and inflicted heavy damage on many 



