The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-06 00:00:00

FLOATING BREAKWATERS.

TO THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PROMOTE THE
FORMATION OF A REFUGE HARBOUR AT BRIGHTON,
BT MEANS OF A FLOATING BREAKWATER.
When I had the pleasure of meeting the inhabitants
of Brighton, and of receiving their generous support
and encouragement to proceed with the formation of an
asylum for pleasure yachts, for steam-vessels crossing
the Channel between this port and Dieppe, and for fish-
ing-smacks off this exposed coast, the bject was not
merely of local but of national importance ; and I felt
confidence in the means which I possessed of effecting
it, and in the result of the experiment. • This, I assure
you, did lot arise from theory only, however cautiously
analysed, but from public practical proof of success.
Having obtained permission frem the Lords of the Ad-
miralty, I accepted an invitation from a French company
to co-operate with them in forming a harbour on an
importuous line of coast ; and my plans being submitted
to the Board of Engineers in that kingdom, were re-
ceived by them with all the attention I could have de-
sired. On their report a grant was voted by the Chambre
des Deputes for the construction of a Floating Break-
water Asylum at Ciotat, in the Mediterranean. Encou-
raged by foreign patronage, I looked with increased
certainty to home ; and, on my return to England, pro-
posed to make a first demonstration off Brighton, where
the open character of the coast would afford the severest
test of my invention.
With pardonable pride, I trust, I am this day enabled
to state that I have completed the mooring of my sec-
tions, in a manlier that has elicited the approbation of
competent judges, who did me the honour to become my
witnesses also—the buoyancy imparted by the introduc-
tion of cork, added to the control exercised over the
emelt:ohm of the sections by perpendicular bridle
tueorings passing up through the keel, preserving a
unii'ormity of motion which is highly desirable. The
perfect shelter obtained under the lee of the breakwater,
while it forms a striking contrast to the angry surface
windward, has excited the surprise of many nautical and
scientific men, from the completeness of the victory
which is obtained over the agitation of the waters.
This effect is so perfect, that I am now preparing to form
a lantern, with an apartment for two attendants, on board
one of the sections.
The necessity for a floating breakwater at Brighton
arises from the mode in which the shingle travels up the
channel, one of the inevitable consequences of which
would be a deposit so great as to fill up any basin that
could be formed here by a fixed and solid pier. Such a
result cannot attend the asylum I have enclosed for ship-
ping off a coast hitherto inhospitable. The most sanguine
parties of this favourite, this royal watering-place could
never have anticipated a greater boon for Brighton than
the formation of a harbour, not so much adapted, pro-
bably, for commercial purposes as for the promotion of
continental intercourse ; and I have the satisfaction to
know that many vested interests connected with this
large and fashionable town are fully conscious of these
advantages.
It may, perhaps, be hardly necessary to expatiate here
On the superiority in many respects of floating over
fixed breakwaters ; but the novelty of the design may
be pleaded as an apology for a few remarks. My
system of moorings, which is simple and effectual, may
be carried into effect at ail seasons of the year, and com-
pleted within a few months. Estimates for fixed break-
waters cannot be relied on, because a part of the work is
often destroyed by the violence of the waves before the
whole is completed—the sea undoing in the hurricane
what the ingenuity of man had done during the calm.
The moorings and sections of the Brighton Breakwater
were laid down during the short dark days of December
by means of a billy-buoy of 50 tons lowering over her
side the centre ring and connecting chains, about 10
tons weight, without the occurrence of any accident,
and with the assistance of only ten hands, some of whom
were landsmen. A more remarkable instance of great
effects from small causes can hardly be produced, than
the formation of a safe asylum for shipping constructed
off a bold and bleak coast, by the simple, inexpensive,
and expeditious means which I have employed in giving
a harbour to Brighton.
And now, Gentlemen, I have the happiness to be able
to tell you that the British standard, in conjunction with
the arms of the town of Brighton, were this day dis-
played on the breakwater, and hailed by three hearty
cheers. In this enthusiastic demonstration, as well as
in the towing of the sections from Shoreham to their
stations, we received the meat valuable assistance from
the crew of her Majesty's steamer African, which was
most kindly placed at my disposal for that service by the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.—l am, Gentle-
men, your obedient servant, &c.,
J. N. TAYLER, Captain R.N., C.B.
Her Majesty's steamer African,
Off Brighton, Dec. 24, 1844.
P.S.—For the information of all who are concerned
in the shipping interest, as well as all vessels bound to
Shoreham Harbour, this is to give notice, that the float-
ing breakwater has been placed within theline of bearing
of the Jenny Ground Rocks—Shoreham New Church
within the Pier-head bearing N.W. by N.—Kemp Town
Church on with the middle of Brighton Pier—Blaething-
ton Windmill on with Fisher Turnpike-gate-house,
hearing N.E. by N., about one mile from the shore.—
Brighton Gazette.
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTsMOUTII,FitrDAY.—The works of the new steam
basin in this dockyard are rapidly peogressing, and are
expected to be completed for laying the foundation-stone
on or about the 14th, when, we believe, it is the inten-
tion of the contractors to celebrate the event by giving a
banquet upon the spot to 500 of the artisans employed
in the yard. to which the Lords of the Admiralty and
the chief officers of the various departments at the port
will be invited. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, it
is expected, will lay the foundation-stone, and preside at
the banquet.
The St. Vincent, 120, in dock, and nearly stripped to
her keel, is found to require more repairs than was anti-
cipated, from the length of time she has been afloat
without a refit.

The Ringdove, 16, Commander Sir W. Daniell, was at
St. Helena on the 10th of November, up to which date
private letters state she had captured no prizes.
The Aid, navy-lighter, Master-Commander Stnallman,
arrived yesterday with victualling stores for the Royal
Clarence-yard, from the eastern depots.
The Goodwill lighter sailed yesterday, with stores for
the eastern yards.
In Harbour—The Victorious hulk, flag, pro tem., of
Admiral Sir Charley Rowley, the Victory, the Excel-
lent, the Vindictive, the Lily, the Sparrow ketch, the
Nautilus, Portsmouth, and Fanny tenders, Aid lighter,
and the steam-vessels Locust, Comet, Fearless, Dwarf.
In Dock—The 5t Vinceut, 120, refitting; the POI":