GRAVESEND, is a town of England, in the county of Kent, built on a gentle declivity, on the banks of the Thames. It consists of several narrow streets, the best of which are the one on the great London road, and ano ther acright angles to it, leading to the river. The church, which is dedicated to St George, was erected near the river between 1731 and 1733. It is built of brick, with stone quoins and cornices, and consists of a spacious nave and chancel, &c. The town-hall was erected in 1764, and has a poultry market below it. It is supported by six columns in front, and three arches behind. A neat little theatre, with a brick front and wooden sides, and a small project ing wooden portico, surmounted by a bust of Shakespeare, was built in 1808 ; and a handsome chapel in 1812, on the north side of the London road. A new wharf and crane were erected in 1767, and two batteries of 16 guns each have more recently been built, for the defence of the town. There is here a small manufactory for cables and ropes, and a yard for ship-building. Most of the outward bound
ships are supplied with live and dead stock at Gravesend, and also with vegetables, for the cultivation of which about 80 acres of ground are appropriated. The town is often crowded with seamen and strangers, from the great quan tity of shipping that usually lie at anchor in the channel near the town; and in summer many visitors are attracted by the accommodations of a new bathing-house, which was built by subscription in 1796. About 18 or 20 Graves end smacks are employed in the cod and haddock fish ing.
According to the population return for 1811, Gravesend parish contains Number of inhabited houses 525 Number of families 698 Do. employed in agriculture 83 Do. in trade and manufactures . . . 457 Number of males 1505 Do. females 1614 Total population 3119 Sec Beauties of England and Wales, vol. vii. p. 577. GRAVIMETER. See HYDROMETER. GRAVITATION. See ASTRONOMY, Chapters I. II.