The first stone of this great national work was laid in the month of
August, 1810. The Pier extends from the small island called _Ynys
Halen_, or _Salt Island_, in an east-south-east direction into the sea;
and is about 1000 feet in length. On the south side it is faced with a
perpendicular wall of cut stone; near the east end a spur projects 60
feet at right angles with the wall, so as to afford shelter from the east
winds. The back of the Pier, or part towards the sea, is on an inclined
plane from the top of the parapet, and is built with large rough stones
placed edge-ways, as close together as possible, and wedged with smaller
ones, so that the sea has no power over it. A morning or evening walk on
the parapet, which is used as a promenade, is strongly recommended; it
will have a tendency to enliven the spirits, and brace the nerves. On
the south side of the Harbour is a fine Graving Dock, admirably
constructed, and one of the first in England. The Dock gates are
protected by a spur projecting from Turkey Shore to the northward 330
feet, on the east side of the gates. The whole of the above improvements
were effected for about £130,000—the Graving Dock about £12,000.
Formerly the road to the Pier was through the town; but Government
constructed a new road on the margin of the Pool or Basin, which covers
an area of fifty or sixty acres, and is filled with water at high tide,
but dry at low water.
The anchorage ground outside the Harbour having been so much raked by use
that the anchors would not hold, several vessels were in consequence
lost. In 1831, a very strong chain of 300 feet in length was laid down
across the entrance; so that when a vessel now drags her anchor before
the gale, she drives forward until she grapples the chain. This plan has
been the means of saving a number of vessels, and none have been on shore
since it was adopted. On the Pier there is a large capstan of great
power, for the use of the Government Packets and other vessels. Many
large ships, by the aid of a plentiful supply of warps, have been brought
into the Harbour during heavy gales, evidently snatched from destruction
by the prompt assistance thus rendered. A LIFE BOAT reposes on a frame
furnished with wheels, in order that it may be moved at an instant’s
notice; a gratifying proof that the cause of humanity is not suffered to
slumber.