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writer； 〃lyes the fisher…boat heavne； and after that； towards the
promontorie called Sandenesse； ther is to be seen a grosse bulk of
a building； vaulted and flatted above （the Blockhous they call it）；
begun to be builded anno 1513； for guarding the entree of the
harboree from pirats and algarads； and cannon wer planted ther for
that purpose； or； at least； that from thence the motions of pirats
might be tymouslie foreseen。 This rough piece of work was finished
anno 1542； in which yer lykewayes the mouth of the river Dee was
locked with cheans of iron and masts of ships crossing the river；
not to be opened bot at the citizens' pleasure。〃*＇7＇ After the
Union； but more especially after the rebellion of 1745； the trade
of Aberdeen made considerable progress。 Although Burns； in 1787；
briefly described the place as a 〃lazy toun；〃 the inhabitants were
displaying much energy in carrying out improvements in their
port。*＇8＇ In 1775 the foundation…stone of the new pier designed by
Mr。 Smeaton was laid with great ceremony； and； the works proceeding
to completion； a new pier； twelve hundred feet long； terminating in
a round head； was finished in less than six years。 The trade of
the place was； however； as yet too small to justify anything beyond
a tidal harbour； and the engineer's views were limited to that
object。 He found the river meandering over an irregular space about
five hundred yards in breadth； and he applied the only practicable
remedy； by confining the channel as much as the limited means
placed at his disposal enabled him to do； and directing the land
floods so as to act upon and diminish the bar。 Opposite the north
pier； on the south side of the river； Smeaton constructed a
breast…wall about half the length of the Pier。 Owing； however；
to a departure from that engineer's plans； by which the pier was
placed too far to the north； it was found that a heavy swell
entered the harbour； and； to obviate this formidable inconvenience；
a bulwark was projected from it； so as to occupy about one third of
the channel entrance。
The trade of the place continuing to increase； Mr。 Rennie was
called upon； in 1797； to examine and report upon the best means of
improving the harbour； when he recommended the construction of
floating docks upon the sandy flats called Foot Dee。 Nothing was
done at the time； as the scheme was very costly and considered
beyond the available means of the locality。 But the magistrates
kept the subject in mind； and when Mr。 Telford made his report on
the best means of improving the harbour in 1801； he intimated that
the inhabitants were ready to cooperate with the Government in
rendering it capable of accommodating ships of war； as far as their
circumstances would permit。
In 1807； the south pier…head； built by Smeaton； was destroyed by a
storm； and the time had arrived when something must be done； not
only to improve but even to preserve the port。 The magistrates
accordingly proceeded； in 1809； to rebuild the pier…head of cut
granite； and at the same time they applied to Parliament for
authority to carry out further improvements after the plan
recommended by Mr。 Telford； and the necessary powers were
conferred in the following year。 The new works comprehended a
large extension of the wharfage accommodation； the construction of
floating and graving docks； increased means of scouring the harbour
and ensuring greater depth of water on the bar across the river's
mouth； and the provision of a navigable communication between the
Aberdeenshire Canal and the new harbour。
＇Image＇ Plan of Aberdeen Harbour
The extension of the north pier was first proceeded with； under the
superintendence of John Gibb； the resident engineer； and by the
year 1811 the whole length of 300 additional feet had been
completed。 The beneficial effects of this extension were so
apparent； that a general wish was expressed that it should be
carried further； and it was eventually determined to extend the
pier 780 feet beyond Smeaton's head； by which not only was much
deeper water secured； but vessels were better enabled to clear the
Girdleness Point。 This extension was successfully carried out by
the end of the year 1812。 A strong breakwater； about 800 feet long；
was also run out from the south shore； leaving a space of about 250
feet as an entrance； thereby giving greater protection to the
shipping in the harbour； while the contraction of the channel； by
increasing the 〃scour；〃 tended to give a much greater depth of
water on the bar。
＇Image＇ Aberdeen Harbour。
The outer head of the pier was seriously injured by the heavy
storms of the two succeeding winters； which rendered it necessary
to alter its formation to a very flat slope of about five to one
all round the head。*＇9＇
＇Image＇ Section of pier…head work。
New wharves were at the same time constructed inside the harbour；
a new channel for the river was excavated； which further enlarged
the floating space and wharf accommodation； wet and dry docks were
added； until at length the quay berthage amounted to not less than
6290 feet； or nearly a mile and a quarter in length。 By these
combined improvements an additional extent of quay room was
obtained of about 4000 feet； an excellent tidal harbour was formed；
in which； at spring tides； the depth of water is about 15 feet；
while on the bar it was increased to about 19 feet。 The prosperity
of Aberdeen had meanwhile been advancing apace。 The city had been
greatly beautified and enlarged： shipbuilding had made rapid
progress； Aberdeen clippers became famous； and Aberdeen merchants
carried on a trade with all parts of the world； manufactures of
wool； cotton； flax； and iron were carried on with great success；
its population rapidly increased； and； as a maritime city； Aberdeen
took rank as the third in Scotland； the tonnage entering the port
having increased from 50；000 tons in 1800 to about 300；000 in
1860。
Improvements of an equally important character were carried out by
Mr。 Telford in the port of Dundee； also situated on the east coast
of Scotland； at the entrance to the Frith of Tay。 There are those
still living at the place who remember its former haven； consisting
of a crooked wall； affording shelter to only a few fishing…boats or
smuggling vesselsits trade being then altogether paltry； scarcely
deserving the name； and its population not one fifth of what it now
is。 Helped by its commodious and capacious harbour； it has become
one of the most populous and thriving towns on the east coast。
＇Image＇ Plan of Dundee Harbour。
The trade of the place took a great start forward at the close of
the war； and Mr。 Telford was called upon to supply the plans of a
new harbour。 His first design； which he submitted in 1814； was of
a comparatively limited character； but it was greatly enlarged
during the progress of the works。 Floating docks were added； as
well as graving docks for large vessels。 T