Captain Hall’s Account of the Dundee Ferry. 153 
it originated. The public gratitude, which, for once, is both 
loud and steady in its acknowledgments, is an ample reward for 
labours which are sufficiently proved by the result, to have been 
directed solely to the general good. 
The heaviest expence into which the trust has been led, is 
for erecting low-water piers on both sides of the Tay. That 
on the Dundee side is 429 feet long, by 30 feet wide of car- 
riage-way, exclusive of a 4 feet raised path for foot-passengers. 
The pier at Newport is 350 feet long and 60 feet wide, with a 
carriage-way on each side. A depth of 5 feet water is obtained 
by means of these piers, at dead low-w r ater spring-tides. The cost 
of the two when completed, will be about L. 17,000. These 
works, designed by Mr Telford, and executed by Mr Logan 
of Dundee, are most perfect and beautiful of their kind. 
The next important expence has been the purchase of the 
two twin-boats. 
The Union, which was built in 1821, cost L. 4245 8 6 
The George IV. built in 1823, cost - 4330 14 10 
Making for both, L. 8576 3 4 
Both these boats were built by Mr James Brown, shipbuilder 
at Perth, in conjunction with Messrs James and Charles Car- 
michael, engine-makers at Dundee, who furnished the whole of 
the machinery. The first boat, from a natural apprehension of 
the weakness of the principle, was made unnecessarily strong ; 
and, consequently, from the quantity of materials, drew more 
water than she need have done. This defect was remedied in 
the second boat. Many other important improvements on the 
second boat, were also suggested by the previous experience. 
It is almost needless to point out to persons interested in other 
ferries, who may have thoughts of trying a similar experiment, 
how much advantage they will have in consulting workmen, 
who, independently of a very high character for skill and dili- 
gence in the ordinary line of their business, now add the mate- 
rial qualification of successful experience in a walk hitherto un 
trodden. 
A considerable expence is annually incurred, in maintain- 
