COMMERCE. 
the quays of Derry there is high water at the full and change of the moon at 6h. 30m., a.m. 
and the rise and fall are with spring-tides from 7 to 9 feet, and with neap-tides from 5 to 6. 
the depth of water at the wharfs is from 12 to 14 feet at low water of neap-tides The 
tide-way extends through the parish, and on to Lifford, the county town of Doneo-al. The 
velocity of the current is from 3 to 4 miles an hour in the narrowest part of the channel and 
irom 2 to 3 in the widest. The prevailing wind is S. W.— variation, 28° W. 
Lough Foyle. Placed between the sea and the city, it has been shewn by the preceding 
notice of its entrance and channel, that the lough constitutes an essential element of the port, ft 
is situated between the county of Londonderry on the E. and S., and the peninsula oflnisbowen, 
m the county of Donegal, on the W., having nearly the form of a right angled triangle, and com! 
municating with the sea at the northern extremity by a narrow strait about a mile wide, between 
Mag.ll.gan Point and Greencastle. The length of the lough is about 15 miles, and its greatest 
breadth about 10j Generally shallow, its navigation is confined to the narrow channel, already 
described which, following the windings of the Donegal coast, is bounded on the opposite side by 
sandbanks, of which the most remarkable is Shell Island, so called, as being formed almost 
entnely of shells. By the continued accumulation of mud and sand brought down by the river 
been a effec S tua g li; n reclaimed he Wat61 ' S ^ l0 ' ,gh - lar 8 e P° rtions > called Slob, having 
influent* tke interests of the port would be greatly advanced by extending its 
influence to Lough Swilly and the country surrounding it cannot be doubted. With this view a 
iXation Ca f a tt! >etWe r L c Ug ff S F ° yle and Sw ’ lly haS ° ften been con ‘«mp>ated, but in any con- 
side anon of the modes of effecting it, the curious fact must not be overlooked, that in Lough 
broS ibl ril l f n’ Y 18 8epara Y d l r ° m tlle F °y le b y a neck of l an( l about 3 miles 
broad, the rise and fall at spring tides is 18 feet, that is, twice as great as at Derry, and the 
thusYir ° f bS , f 68 TT g tbere / or ® at hl " b water t0 different levels. This circumstance may be 
thus accounted for. The great flood tide from the Atlantic, whose true course is from W to E 
WhYn 3 ,!' Uhout /'"Pc^ment Lough Swilly, but passes the narrow entrance of Lough Foyle! 
RMfor /in h ff f fl ° 0d f P °r I 1 ® Sh ? r6 ’ Stream fl ° WS back from Fair Head, and the island 7 of 
shore TV county of Antrim), and runs westward from half-flood to half-ebb upon the 
shore. This continues all the way from the above places to the mouth of Lou4 Foyle which 
hours'each wly 16114 ’ "’ hile ** trUe in the » flowing and ebbing six 
Port Regulations. 
The success of commercial speculation depends so much on the regularity and order with 
rrra 0 ngement a s re shoul d d U be d f enSU '' e ^ F ° Sper j ty ° f an ext «>sive port, it is essential that 
arrangements should be made for promoting expedition and certainty in all its operations for 
guarding as far as is practicable against accidents, and for facilitating repairs. A P well matured 
ystem, therefore, of pilots, quays, and docks, is of the highest importance— and the imposts for 
their support are at once reasonable and necessary. imposts loi 
Ballast Office.-—A ballast office was established in 1790, by act of parliament and bva sub 
sequent act remodelled in 1833. The port regulations are under the controTof a committee of 
this establishment, which consists of the mayor for the time being, and seven other members 
iree of whom form a quorum. The two senior members go out by rotation annually. Candidates 
™ , 6 occupants of premises within three miles of the corporation hall, rated at £30 to the 
annua 1 applotment of the po ice committee, and must also have been shareholders to the amount of 
£250 in shipping-registered from the port, or have, in lieu of the latter qualification, imported or 
exported goods of the value of £2000, or paid in freight £200, during the year precedino- the 
election. Electors must be occupants of premises similarly situated, and rated^at £10 and must 
ave also been shareholders of £100 during six months previous to the election, or have imported 
or exported within the year goods of the value of £500, or paid in freight £50. P 
• . f l ! uta 9 e -—The strict discipline to which the pilots of this harbour have been latterly sub- 
wo k ; tZ ? n f th6m f Cien ‘ and Well - behaved ’ Intended candidates must learn how to 
study the naiifatfon ofThe^ T , “ 7 circ “ nceS ’ ^ servin & thre e years at sea, and then 
vessel! however areV Y Y r ’ Wlth tbe praCtice ° f soundin S- Experienced mates of 
s ets, however, are exempted from this preparation. They must also write a fair hand and 
pioduce satisfactory certificates from their masters. A strict examination is held before the bal 
last committee, by the pilot-master, a branch pilot, and from two to four expert^ masters of 
vessels Should the report be favourable the* candidates are licensed for 9 fee? of water 
on y or a greater draft they have to undergo a second examination. They have also to provide 
r an J ent6r b ° nd f ° r S°° d ^-ou, The masters appoinfed o be examiners 
are always chosen from vessels, which draw at least as much water as is to fix the new pilot 5 ! Yu! 
hfication, in order that personal interest may help to preclude favour or partiality. A registry of 
HI 
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