HARBOURS.-SOUTH EASTERN COAST.

Continued from page 527.
FOLKSTONE.

FROM Dover we proceeded to Folkstone. This harbour was constructed under an act of parliament in 1809, by a joint stock company, to whom the property belongs, but at present it is in the hands of the Exchequer Bills Loan Commissioners.

The harbour, which is entirely artificial, is formed by rubble-stone piers, and encloses an area of 14 acres. The western arm extends in a S.S.W. direction 140 yards across the beach, and is united with the main pier, which is carried in a straight line east and by south about 317 yards. A projecting pier has since been run out from the shore, on the eastern side, towards the south-west 235 yards, leaving an entrance of 123 feet in width open to the east and by south.

A groin has been constructed near the eastern extremity of the main pier, which extends at right angles 130 feet seaward, for the purpose of preventing the shingle from obstructing the harbour's mouth. This, however, has not overcome the evil; for the shingle having accumulated along the southern side of the main pier to the line of extension of the horn, finds its way round the extremity, and creates a bar nearly across the entrance.

The rise of spring tides averages about 18 to 20 feet, and neap tides from 12 to 14 feet, but the harbour is left dry at low water; and the greater part of the interior is blocked up by a bank of shingle rising to the height of several feet above high water, and leaving only a channel of inconsiderable width along the side of the main pier.

A small stream is pent up at the north-western side of the harbour, for the purpose of scouring at low water; and with the assistance of manual labour, in addition to this very inadequate backwater, the channel is kept open so as to allow vessels of 10 to 12 feet draught to come alongside of the main pier at the top of high-water.

This harbour, in its present form, is not capable by any improvements of being made available for the purposes of our inquiry, and we do not consider the situation eligible for a deep-water harbour.

HYTHE.

From Folkstone we proceeded to Hythe, and inspected the coast to Dungeness. No harbours at present exist between these places, and from the nature of the coast, the situation is inapplicable for their formation; but several plans having been submitted to us for the construction of a harbour at Dungeness, we landed for the purpose of examining the beach, and ascertaining the practicability or otherwise of the propositions.

Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Owen, in a communication which he subsequently addressed to the committee, stated, that "during the late war, when the presence of the flotilla and the encampment of troops on the opposite coast demanded unceasing vigilance, and the employment of many armed cruizers of the smailest description, the inconvenience of sending these vessels to Sheerness for the purposes of trivial repairs, and payment of the men, &c.; was greatly felt, both in the loss of their immediate services, and from the interruption to the more regular and important arrangements of defence; and Dungeness being then consi

dered the rendezvous of greatest moment, he contemplated the formation of a basin within the shingle, in a position between No. 2 battery on the east, and No. 4 battery on the west, with an outlet on either side, by which vessels might enter or put to sea when their services were required."

The propositions submitted to us by Mr. Potter and Mr. Douglas were of a similar nature; and there can be little doubt, from the prominent position of this extensive point of land, and the anchorage it affords to vessels on either side, according to the direction of the wind, that the situation is desirable for a harbour.

The shore at the southern extremity is extremely steep, and descends at once into deep water; but the whole promontory consists of a vast accumulation of shingle, constantly increasing and extending seaward; and were a basin to be constructed in the centre, the entrances on either side would speedily be choked up, and, in our opinion, no scouring power would be able to keep the channels clear below the level of low water. However desirable, therefore, the construction of a deep-water harbour may be in this situation, the physical obstacles to its formation and maintenance appear to us to render the scheme impracticable.

In corroboration of this opinion, and the constant motion and increase of shingle, it is worthy of remark, that the site of the present lighthouse, when first erected in 1792, was only 100 yards from the sea, and now, in the lapse of 47 years, the beach has extended 118 yards to the southward, leaving the lighthouse 218 yards inland.

The former lighthouse, which was pulled down when the present one was completed, was at that time upwards of 640 yards from the extremity of the Ness.

RYE.

Rye, which was the next harbour we visited in our progress round the coast, is situated in the bight of the bay formed by Fairlight Head, on the western side, and Dungeness on the eastern. The harbour is formed in the channel of the river Rother, at the point where it enters the sea, after receiving the waters of the Tillingham and the Bride, two small rivers which unite with it near the town of Rye. A wooden pier of piles has been constructed on the eastern side, and embankments have been thrown up on the western side, leaving an entrance between of 160 feet in width.

The average rise of spring tides is about 17 feet, and during neap tides from nine to twelve feet at the pier-head, whilst the lift in the bay is 22 feet. At low water the harbour is left dry.

The depth of the channel up the river decreases gradually to the town, where there is 14 feet water at the top of spring tides, but during neaps seldom above nine feet.

The approach from the bay to the entrance of the harbour is very intricate and difficult, especially to sailing vessels, arising from the sandbanks and the tortuous course of the channel.

The shingle, which extends on both sides of the harbour's mouth is accumulated at the entrance with winds either from the westward or eastard of south, and forms banks on either side (according to the prevalence of the wind,) which, in combination with sand, serve to block out the sea, and render the channels crooked and uncertain.

There can be no doubt that these natural causes have mainly contributed to the deterioration of this port, formerly of greater capacity, and a place of importance; but at the same time it should be observed, that the encroachments which have been made from time to time on the original extent of the river, have proved a powerful cause of injury. Individuals interested in the maintenance and improvement of the harbour are fully aware of this fact, and the contests which arise on the subject of drainage, between the landowners and those concerned in the navigation of the river, have become a fruitful source of litigation. Extensive low lands over which the river formerly flowed at high water, have been reclaimed for the purposes of agriculture, and the powerful backwater which was thereby acquired, and operated as a scour during the ebb to clear the channel and keep the entrance open, has been diminished, and at the present moment is almost destroyed, by the erection of sluice-gates, across the river, a little distance above the town, for the purpose of draining the lands at low water, and of preventing the flow of water up to its natural channel, which, if not thus obstructed, would again inundate the lands below the level of high-water

No cause has operated more extensively to injure the entrances of harbours of this country than excluding the tidal waters from lands below the level of high water, which served as natural reservoirs at flood tide, and were the means of affording a powerful discharge during the ebb. The portion of the river between the embankments formed for the purpose of excluding the high water, is often benefited by the contraction of the channel, and the consequent acceleration of the current, but the communication with the sea below such embankments is injured, and nothing more deserves the vigilant attention of government, or of the parties entrusted with the conservancy of harbours, than the subject of encroachments, which are usually made gradually and silently, as dictated by private interest, and are difficult afterwards to

remove.

At the present moment, a stone wall is in progress of erection from the eastern pier-head, and is intended to be carried out as far as low water across the extensive flats which form the bar at the entrance, in a south-half-east direction. By this means the water, which on its exit from the harbour spreads over the sandbanks, and forms a crooked passage as it meets with obstructions, and is deflected from side to side, will be directed in a straight line; and there can be no doubt that the continuation and completion of this stone groin will render the navi gation of the entrance less difficult, and at the same time enable vessels of greater draught of water than at present to enter at tide time.

By straightening and deepening the channel up to the wharfs or quays at the town, a considerable improvement may also be effected; but from the limited means at the disposal of the commissioners, it will necessarily take a long time to complete these works.

(To be continued.)

PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR. We understand that the great importance of knowing at the present time the exact condition of Portsmouth Harbour, and ascertaining by comparison with a former survey, the precise nature of the changes which it has undergone of late years, has

induced the Admiralty to direct that a careful examination of it be forthwith made. This important duty has been entrusted to that zealous scientific officer Lieutenant Sheringham, who with his experienced assistants Lieutenants Otter and Church, and Mr. Wood, mate, R.N. has been called from his work on the coast of Cornwall, for the purpose. We understand the survey is to include the approaches to the harbour from Southsea Castle, and the coast to the entrance of the Southampton water, no examination of these parts having been made since Mackenzie's survey, in the latter part of the last century.

NEW LIGHTHOUSES.

NEW LIGHT HOUSES AT GIFLE AND EGGEGRUND.

The Swedish and Norwegian General Consulate,

17, Great St. Helen's, July 6, 1810.

Sir, I have the honor to communicate to you the following translation of a notice issued by the Royal Navy Board at Stockholm, on the 8th of May:

"The Royal Navy Board hereby make known, for the information of mariners navigating the Gifle-bay, in Norrland, that two lighthouses are erected there-the one at Eggegrund, situated without the southern entrance to Gifle, in latitude N. 60° 43′ 30′′, and longitude 33° 42′ 30′′ E. from Ferroe; and the other, which is a port-light, on the Boonan, near Groherget, (the Grey Mountain) on the fast sand, situated W.N. W. W., 13 miles from the Eggegrund, and serves to guide the vessels which may arrive in these waters, and wish to anchor for the night under the Graberg.

"The light on Eggegrund is placed in a lantern erected on the top of a house built for that purpose, situated immediately south of the beacon which stands on the same rock, and consists of two parabolic mirrors placed together with the flame in their mutual centre. The light is stationary, and about fifty-three feet above the level of the sea, and ought consequently to be visible from the deck of a vessel during clear weather, at about two to two and a half miles distance.

On making this light the rock, when steering course W. b. N., should be left north of the vessel, or to starboard, at to mile distance. "A vessel which intends to anchor under the Graberg, should, in order to pass free of the Graskalsbodar, which lie W. b. N. from Eggegrund, not steer more northward than the above-named course, until they make Eggegrund Lighthouse E. b. N., when the course should be changed to N.W., at which time the light on the Bonan will be a little to the larboard. Steering this course, the dangerous Limogrund is avoided immediately upon making the light on the Bonan in W. to S., steer at once towards it and anchor.

"The lighthouse on the Bonan is an octagonal building, whose lantern is 54 feet above the level of the sea, and ought to be seen at one to one and a half to two miles distance.

"Both of the above-named lights will be exhibited in the middle of August, and burn until the end of December, every year, at the same time as other lights in this kingdom.

"The miles here mentioned are German, or sea miles, and the point of the compass referred to are after the compass.

"The anchorage under the Graberg is open in all winds, and in stormy weather a heavy sea runs there. The depth is about ten or thirteen fathoms.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, Yours &c.
"CHARLES TOTTIE."

THE NEEDLES LIGHTS.

SIR, I find that the Lights at the Needles have been altered, and in a remark in this month's number of your Magazine, I see "it is the general opinion of mariners and pilots that the attention of the TrinityHouse should be directed to these lights."

It appears to me, that the "attention" of that erudite body has been already too much directed to the lights at the Needles, and I consider that the removal of the light from the Island is to say the least of it exceedingly inconvenient, for I will defy any one to see the Hurst Castle Lights in any thing approaching to hazy weather, at a greater distance than 2 leagues from them; and no one would like to trust himself in doubtful weather, with the wind far to the southward, or even S. W. much within that distance of the Needles; whereas, you were always able to see the Needles light long before those of the Hurst Castle, which are in fact only leading marks to clear the shingles, and of no sort of use, as regards "making" the Needles.

July 1st, 1840.

I remain, &c.

LIGHT ON CAPE CARTHAGE.

UNITY.

Admirally, 17th June. "Sir, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the committee for managing the affairs of Lloyd's, that it appears by a despatch from Her Majesty's agent and Consul-General at Tunis, that the Tunisian Government have erected on Cape Carthage, at the entrance of the Gulf of Tunis, a light-house, which will be regularly lighted every night for the future. It is a light which revolves every three minutes.

"I am, Sir your most humble servant,

"To Wm. Dobson, Esq., Lloyd's.

LIGHT AT THE KENTISH KNOCK.

"JOHN BARROW."

Trinity-House, London, July 7th. This Corporation having, in compliance with the request of the owners and masters of vessels interested in the navigation of the North Sea, caused a vessel to be prepared for exhibiting a light near the sand called the Kentish Knock, notice is hereby given, that the said vessel will be stationed at the east side of the sand, a short distance to the eastward of the situation in which the beacon buoy now lies, and that the light on board the same will be exhibited on the evening of the 1st of September next, and thenceforth continued every night from sunset to sunrise.

The light on board this vessel will be exhibited from a single lantern;