122 REPORT—1874. 
expenditure of the Belfast Harbour. This had, however, considerably 
increased during the four or five years just preceding the year 1849—as, in 
addition to maintaining the original depth, the course of the river opposite 
what was then called Ritchic’s’ Dock was diverted from its natural channel 
_ by the extension of the quays, and the entire space from the Queen’s Bridge 
to the Prince’s Dock doubled in width, the depth of the water being at the 
same time increased 5 to 7 feet. 
It was anticipated that the formation of the straight channel would obviate 
the necessity of so much dredging as hitherto in the lower part of the river ; 
and the fact that the upper section of it maintained its depth without dredging 
from its opening in 1841 for a period of nine or ten years, confirms this view. 
The increased depth, however, given to the river opposite the quays, being 
much below its natural bed, will always require an additional amount of 
dredging to prevent it from silting up, which would, of course, vary and 
increase in extent as the sewerage of the town increases, if allowed to be 
discharged into the harbour. 
In the year 1850 the only works worthy of notice which were entered upon 
were the erection of coal-oflices, yards, and weighing-machines on Queen’s 
Quay, and six landing- or goods-sheds on Donegall Quay, and contracts for 
the erection of a stone wall on the north side of the Clarendon Dock. 
In the year 1851 three lighthouses were constructed in the Channel, 
between Garmoyle and the town of Belfast, and provided with accommodation 
for resident lightkeepers in order to supersede the difficult and uncertain plan 
previously resorted to, %.¢, of attending to the Channel lights (which were 
fixed upon perches) by means of a boat. One of tho houses, a substantial 
stone structure, is situated on the lower end of the East Twin Island, and 
provided with a bright green light; one on the margin of the old Seal 
Channel, provided with a red light; and the other at the Pool of Garmoyle 
below the stone beacon and on the opposite side of the Channel, which is 
provided with a green light. The two latter lighthouses are constructed on 
the borders of the slob banks, and are composed of timber supported upon 
strong piles, braced with wrought-iron tie-rods, the cost of the three houses 
being about £741. 
In the year 1852 an iron foot-bridge was constructed across the entrance 
to the Prince’s Dock at a cost of £309, and a timber bridge across the entrance 
to the Milewater River, thereby opening up an uninterrupted traffic for foot 
passengers from the Queen’s Bridge to Thompson’s embankment. 
In the year 1854 a new Harbour Office was erected at the foot of Great 
George’s Strect,.at a cost of £8306; and the only other new works carried 
on in that year were the construction of a branch line of railway, com- 
mencing at the main line, a short distance from the terminus of the Northern 
Counties Railway, running along the reclaimed ground purchased from Mr, 
Thompson, and connected with the Albert Quay; and a new street called 
Whitla Street, running from the north end of Garmoyle Street to York 
Street, opening up a connexion between the quays and the railway. 
Tho Harbour Commissioners having in the year 1854 obtained a Bill 
empowering them to reclaim a large portion of the slob lands lying on the . 
county Down side of the river, consequently in the following year a com- 
mencement was made upon that work, Mr. James Connor being appointed 
contractor for the execution of a bank extending from the Queen’s Island to 
Conswater Railway Bridge. This work was completed in 1858. This 
portion of the reclamation included the part to be devoted to the purposes of 
a public park, to be called Victoria Park. 
