ROADS, MARINE. A Road for ships is not easily defined, but in a nautical sense it may be considered as differing from a haven or harbour, in respect that it is generally more spacious and easy of access, though perhaps a less safe or protected anchorage than a pro per harbour, and with a greater depth of water, say from seven to fifteen fathoms.
The marine roads which are chiefly frequented on the eastern coast of Great Britain, are those of Ler wick Bay in Shetland, Long-Hope Bay in Orkney, Cromarty Frith, Leith Roads, the entrance to the Hum ber, Yarmouth Roads, and the Downs. But those most accessible, in connection with the North Sea, are the Friths of Leith and Cromarty. On the Coast of Hol land, the Texel and Helvoet may be noticed, and on the French side of the British Channel, Cherbourg, formed by a breakwater three miles in extent, with a depth of from seven to nine fathoms in the interior. On the British side we have Portsmouth, St. Helens, and the protection of the Isle of Wright generally; Plymouth Sound, now greatly extended as an anchorage by the breakwater; and lastly, upon this range of coast, Fal mouth. In St. George's Channel we may be said to be limited to Milford Haven, though Holyhead and Dublin are in progress of becoming places for the general ren dezvous of shipping. The Clyde and the Highlands of Scotland afford many safe natural roads and anchorages ; while Ireland presents Cork, the Shannon, Loch Swilly, Belfast, and others.
These are all places of resort for the larger classes of ships, and may be termed public roads, as no harbour-dues are exigible. There are very few good
harbours upon the eastern and southern sides of the British coast, the ships of a considerable burden can safely run for in bad weather, or in all states of the tide. Improvements of this kind are much wanted on the coast of Aberdeen, East Lothian, and Fife, in connection with the friths of Forth and Moray. On the Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk coasts, and particularly on the Kentish coast, in connection with the Downs, good harbours are in great request. It would likewise be of national importance if Weymouth or Portland-road were converted into a safe anchorage.
It here deserves our particular notice, that a great change has been brought about in the more general means for the anchorage of ships, by the introduction of chain moorings for common use. By means of this strong and flexible cable, ships can now ride on a much greater range of coast, with off-shore winds. Formerly, the utmost precaution was necessary in the selection of a road-stead, in laying down a hempen cable, so as to avoid a hard or rocky bottom. Now this is happily become a matter of less importance, as the chain cable is proof against slight injuries. We have, therefore, no hesitation in saying, that the mariner and the country at large are under the greatest obligation to the inge nuity, professional skill, and perseverance of Captain Samuel Brown of the royal navy, for the general intro duction and application of this invaluable discovery for our navy and mercantile marine.