The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-28 00:00:00

DOVER.

History affords proof of the importance attached to
this place as a military and naval station.
As the advanced post of England on the south-east
coast, the want of a harbour here of sufficient capacity
for the reception of vessels of war, and for the conveni•
ence and protection of trade, has attracted the notice of
Sovereigns and Ministers from the earliest times, and
has led to a large expenditure of money for the improve-
ment of the present tidal harbour.
In considering positions eligible for the construction
of breakwaters, it should be borne in mind that an inner
harbour is an indispensable requisite ; and, if there is no
natural advantage of that sort in the position selected,
there must be the double operation of building an inner
as well as an outer harbour.

There are few places that in this respect possess
greater advantages than Dover. It has a dry dock for
repairs, and extensive quays with storehouses. Besides
the outer receiving harbour, there is a basin covering
more than six acres (now being enlarged to double that
size), and a third, called the Pent, which the late Mr.
Rennie, in his report to Mr. Pitt, in 1802, says may of
itself be made capable of receiving many sloops of war
and gun-brigs, and which the Dover Commissioners are
now considerably improving.
Mr. Pitt, when Lot d Warden of the Cinque Ports, was
earnestly intent on having Doer Bay inclosed, and it
was this circumstance which led to our obtaining from
the Master-General of the Ordnance the plan of a har-
bour in Dover bay by the late Major-General Ford, of
the Royal Engineers.
There are two points, each of great importance, which
have been suggested as objections to any proposal for
converting Dover-bay into a harbour ; one, that the
holding ground is not good ; the other, that it will have
a tendency to silt up.
With respect to the quality of the anchoring ground
her Majesty's steam-vessel the Blazer, of 500 tons, and
120 horse-power, was ordered there to test its tenacity
to the utmost. The nature of the experiments, and the
satisfactory result, will be seen in Captain Washington's
report in the appendix.
In reference to the question of silting up, the Com-
missioners directed samples of the water in Dover• bay
to be taken up at different times of tide, in diferent
depths, and under varying circumstances of weather,
which have been transmitted to the director of the
Museum of Economic Ge3logy for examination. The
result, as reported by Mr. Phillips, will be found in the
appendix. •
The Committee is of opinion that more extensive ex-
periments are necessaiy, in order to determine the quan-
tities of matter borne in suspension by the tidal currents
on this part of the coast, and liable to deposit ; and beg,
therefore, to suggest to your Lordships the propriety of
their being continued under the direction of the Admi-
ralty for the space of a
year in all circumstances of
weather.

Dover, situated at a distance of only 4 miles from
the Goodwin Sands, and standing but favourably to pro-
tect the navigation of the narrow seas, is naturally the
situation for a squadron of ships of war. Its value,
a military point of view, is undoubted ; but the con-
struction of a harbour of refuge there is, in our opinion,
indispensable, to give to Dover that efficiency. as a naval
station which is necessary in order to provide for the
security of this part of the coast and the protection of
trade.