THE TRADE OF PLYMOUTH. 401 
In 1877 fifteen hundred and ninety-eight steamers arrived coast- 
wise, also calling regularly, to land and take on board passengers 
and cargo from and to Ireland, London, and other places, belonging 
to the following Steam-ship Companies: 
British and Irish Steam-ship Company : ; . 416 
Cork Steam-ship Company : 99192 
Liverpool and London Steam- iy Company . . 262 
Clyde Steam-ship Company : : . 620 
Channel Islands : : : : . 804 
Kingsbridge , : 7 : - 104 
Last but not least in importance of the functions that Plymouth 
performs, in taking her part in the trade of the world, is the 
protection the splendid harbour affords to the shipping of all 
nations as a port of refuge, either in the case of contrary winds 
and bad weather, or in the case of damages sustained at sea from 
storms or collisions, or as a port of call. If the shipwrights do not 
build many ships, they repair a great number; and I have good 
reason for stating that Plymouth is one of the best harbours of 
refuge in the world. The activity in this branch of trade, which 
includes the trade with steamers calling here to take in coals on 
their voyages at a distance from coaling ports, and ships calling for 
orders, is very great. It keeps a fine body of highly-skilled pilots 
in constant employment, a vocation which must be ranked, with 
seamanship, amongst the principal industries of Plymouth. The 
trade which is the result of the number of ships that enter the 
harbour of Plymouth, either to take .in coals for their engines, to 
recelve orders, to avoid contrary winds and bad weather, or to 
repair damages, is not ascertained from statistics, but is undoubtedly 
of very great importance. 
I have not specially mentioned the trade incidental to the Dock- 
yard, or the other Government establishments, because it is manifest 
that the supply of their wants must be an important part of the 
trade of this port, and is included in the imports, exports, coasting 
trade, &c. They, of course, constitute a striking part of the in- 
dustries of Plymouth. The finest part of the harbour, Hamoaze, 
is, as already noticed, occupied almost exclusively by the Govern- 
ment. Whether it would be better employed in promoting trade 
than in protecting, not only trade, but all the interests of the 
nation from foreign aggression, may be a matter of speculation ; 
but assuredly at the mouth of the English Channel, at present 
