406 



ABERDEEN HARBOUR. 



PAKT VITT. 



wharves were at the same time constructed inside the 

 harbour ; a new channel for the river was excavated, 

 which further enlarged the floating space and wharf 

 accommodation ; wet and dry docks were added ; until 

 at length the quay berthage amounted to not less than 

 6290 feet, or nearly a mile and a quarter in length. 



By these combined improvements an additional extent 

 of quay room was obtained of about 4000 feet ; an 

 excellent tidal harbour was formed, in which, at spring 

 tides, the depth of water is about 15 feet ; whilst on the 

 bar it was increased to about 19 feet. The prosperity of 

 Aberdeen had meanwhile been advancing apace. The 



a foot of the level of low water, when 

 the ashlar work was commenced ; but 

 in place of laying the stones horizon- 

 tally in their beds, each course was 

 laid at an angle of 45 degrees, to 

 within about 18 inches of the top, 

 when a level coping was added. This 

 mode of building enabled the work to 

 be carried on expcditiously, and ren- 

 dered it while in progress less liable 

 to temporary damage, likewise afford- 

 ing three points of bearing ; for while 

 the ashlar walling was carrying up 



on both sides, the middle or body of 

 the pier was carried up at the same 

 time by a careful backing throughout 

 of large rubble-stone, to within 18 

 inches of the top, when the whole 

 was covered with granite coping and 

 paving 18 inches deep, with a cut 

 granite parapet wall on the north side 

 of the whole length of the pier, thus 

 protected for the convenience of those 

 who might have occasion to frequent 

 it." Mr. Gibb's 'Narrative of Aber- 

 deen Harbour Works/ 



