The Sun.
London, England, 1834-03-11 00:00:00

PORT OF DOVER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN
Ste—ln consequence of the frequent interruption to the lit 4.
tercourse between Dover and the Continental harbours, Oiling:
from the bar which constantly forms itself at the mouthos
and
Dover Harbour when the wind is at south or soutb_west
n(tn d
these winds prevail half the year), a memorial has sie en
seat!
his Majesty, petitioning for assistance. In this memoria
from Dover it was not stated that the Calais and Bobuloola
packets ran to Ramsgate when Dover Harbour
t.
between
up, and that, in fact, no interruption took place in
course between England and the Continent, but
cin
t of the
Dover and the Continent, so that, in fact, the objec
..e
._.te.
memorialists was to identify Dover with the inercantl!
in facts
rest, the shipping interest, the general interest, when,
it was only the Dover interest that was considered. , ,„..
particuia. s
Before the nation, and the shipping Interest in
it is Web'
are put to expense for mere experiments,
e' idea
incumbent to ascertain whether no other Port
exempt from the inconveniences to which Dover
hour is subjected, and although the Guardian and
Pu
Ledger, seeing with the eyes of Dover people, has been pleased:
to say that " Ramsgate harbour is insufficient for the accona,
modation of much shipping, even if the pier were not a da
gerous experiment to attempt the entrance of vessels in storillncyj
he inter.
weather," yet the startling fact, that upwards of 400 sa
f
merchantmen and coasters were at that very period lying sntn,
in Ramsgate harbour and basin, is sufficient to prove the editor
must have been grossly imposed upon.
Ramsgate harbour, with the basin, encloses upward fleet is
s of forty
acres. Its capability, therefore, of sheltering a large
too palpable for any delusion. At the end of last January,
upwards of 250 vessels were in the basin, which is separated
the
from the outer harbour, and during the three months these
vessels
were weather-bound, the water was retained -
basin, so that the vessels were kept constantly afloat; Rarns•
gate Harbour is therefore " not insufficient for the accommo•
dation of much shipping."
The only casualty which occurred during this winter from
vessels running for Ramsgate Harbour, was to a small Veldt
sloop, and this entirely arose from bad seamanship. hero
male several attempts to benefit by a temporary shift of wind
to proceed on their destination, but were driven back and coin'
polled to re-enter the harbour. About thirty of these vessels
were three-masted ships, foreigners, of large burdens ; it could
not, therefore, be " a dangerous experiment to attempt the ell•
trance in stormy weather."
It is of great importance, though not generally known, the
packets must leave Calais or Bolougne at certain times of the
tide to reach Dover before low water, or they cannot enter, sue
It should also be observed that many vessels sheltering
the passengers are then compelled to land in boats, which la
very disagreeable, and this is the case at Dover from whatever
quarter the wind blows. On the other hand, as Ramsgate
har-
bour may be entered at any time of the tide, it is of little MI"
portance when the steam-vessel leaves the continental port.
Ramsgate is distant about thirty-twomiles from Calais, which
is eight miles, or about three quarters of an hour's longer run
than from Calais to Dover. It is about forty miles from
Boulogne, also eight miles further than Dover; on the otter
hand, Ramsgate is eight miles nearer to Ostend. In fact, the
mere distance would be a trifle hardly worth insisting 111)(44
since the discovery of steam navigation, were it not that a
u r y as
national expense is to be incurred, or a tax on the maritime
interest, for the purpose of endeavouring to make a harbour,
el p
consideration suitable for the constant intercourse between this country an
the Continent, when a port eminently calculated for that pur •
The
pose already exis.
members to parliament. Suitability and economy are object°
of superior importance to merely local interests. To inlPnse
wheli
tax, or to make a grant for producing a second harbour,
an excellent one already exists, would be a shameful waste °C
money. A. H.
fora
o f government
ap la t
c o
e be influencedreturning tliz
its decisions
by sst
the