92 QUEENSFERRY TO MUSSELBURGH.
~
Its harbour is its great attraction. A finer or roomier is rarely to be found
anywhere; certainly not on the Firth. With an extent of pierage of over
1700 feet in length, and from 80 to 160 in breadth ; four pairs of jetties, each
extending go feet at regular intervais ; two slips, 325 feet each, to facilitate
the shipping and landing of cattle and heavy goods.at all states of the tide;
a high solid wall cleft with short thoroughfares, trending along the middle of
the esplanade; the whole being enclosed by a strong massive breakwater
running out on the west about three-fourths of a mile from the pier, and on
the east to a distance somewhat less, curving in a demicircle, and terminating
on a line with the pier-head, so as to Ieave an entrance of considerable breadth
-it affords not only a safe place to haven in, but is furnished, at the same
time, with every convenience and mechanical appliance for the speedy loading
GRANTON PIER. LEITH PIER.
and unloading of the numerous vessels which frequent it. Let us add that
it is the principal ferry from Edinburgh to Fife, vid the North British Railway,
and fiom which steamers pIy regularly to and from London, Aberdeen,
and Stirling. This harbour, begun in ~835,p artially opened in 1838, and
completed in 1845, was erected at a cost of &io,ooo.
To the west there is a hamlet of rather humble dwellings, built by the Duke
for the accommodation of his work-people; while to the east, again, there is a
village of cottages of a much better class, and two stories high, and which are
likewise tenanted by the empZuyis of the harbour, with here and there a house
of a more aspiring or pretentious character, occupied by the grocer, the baker,
