S.71EERNESS', a sea-port and naval arsenal in the co. of Kent, stands on the n.w. extremity a me isle of Sheppey, at the confluence of the Thames and Medway, 11 in. e.n.e. of Chatham. It consists of four divisions, Blue-Town, Mile-Town, Marine-Town, and Wcstmiustes, and of these the first is within the limits Of the garrison. The dock yard, much extended and improved within recent years, is now one of the finest in 13nrope. It covers 60 acres, comprising wet and dry docks, immense storehouses, and official. residences. The harbor is usually crowded with vessels of all descriptions. An extensive oyster-fishery is tarried on in tae vicinity, from which as many as 50,000 bush els of " natives '! have been scat to London in one season. At Garrison point is the resi dence of the port-admiral, the telegraph, coast-guard station, and- barracks. The chief (trade is in supplying the requirements of the employees in the various government estab lishmeats, and in the export of corn seeds and oysters. The neighborhood was once. thought to be very unhealthy, but of late years important sanitary works have been car ried out, and there are now few towns the population of which enjoy better health: Since the provision of direct railway communication with all parts of England the town is much visited during the summer on account of the excellent sea-bathing there, which is under the management of a local joint-stock company. The beach and cliffs are a
favorite rescrt for ramblers. Pop. '71, 13,950. Sheerness was captured by the Dutch under De Ruyter is 1037, and here the mutiny of the Nose burst forth iu 1708.
SHE23113, The elemental form of a pair of sheers consists in two spars fastened together near the top, with a pulley at the point of junction, and held by a rope, fastened to any convenient object, in such a position that the weight lifted hangs nearly between the spars. This forms an easily improvised crane. An apparatus of this kind, of great height and strearsth, i3 used for roasting vessels. In the principal dock-yards there are tall permanent sheer3, mounted either on the side of a masting-dock or on a floating sheer hulk.