Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: « Kay's Originals Vol. 1 « Kay's Originals Vol. 2 « Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time « Edinburgh Past and Present « Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I « Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II « Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III « Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV « Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI Plates Ch 20: Leith - Historical Survey (continued) Ch 21: Leith - Historical Survey (continued) Ch 22: Leith - Historical Survey (concluded) Ch 23: Leith - The Kirkgate Ch 24: Leith - The Kirkgate (concluded) Ch 25: Leith - Tolbooth Wynd and Adjoining Streets Ch 26: Leith - Rotten Row, Broad Wynd, Bernard Street, Baltic Street, and Quality Street Ch 27: Leith - Constitution Street, The Shore, Coal Hill, and Sheriff Brae Ch 28: North Leith Ch 29: Leith - The Links Ch 30: Leith - The Sands Ch 31: Leith - The Harbour Ch 32: Memorabilia of the Shipping of Leith and its Maritime Affairs Ch 33: Leith - The Docks Ch 34: Inchkeith Ch 35: Newhaven Ch 36: Wardie, Trinity, and Granton Ch 37: The Environs of Edinburgh Ch 38: The Environs of Edinburgh (continued) Ch 39: The Environs of Edinburgh (continued) Ch 40: The Environs of Edinburgh (continued) Ch 41: The Environs of Edinburgh (continued) Ch 42: The Environs of Edinburgh (continued) Ch 43: The Environs of Edinburgh (concluded) General Index Contents List of Illustrations

288 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Leith. Dgeme, and YaZiant; while in the POTt line were the Lord War&rt, the Hector, and the Pen&@ Great preparations had necessarily been made for the accommodation of spectators, and a display of flags, usual on such occasions, was made across Constitution Street on the public buildings, and everywhere else suitable, In the Roads, immediately off the pier-head, lay the Gad CastZe, of Currie?s line, a magnificent ship, 370 feet long, which cost~Ioo,ooo, was fitted up so as to be able at any time to act as a cruiser, and was capable of conveying 1,200 troops to the Cape or India. On board of her were Sir Donald Cume, M.P., and a select party, including many members of the House of Commons. A vast fleet of yachts and pleasureboats was grouped about the anchorage ground, which was smooth and still as a millpond. Provost Henderson, with the nlagistrates and Town Council of Leith, in their robes of office, proceeded by steamer to H.M.S. Hermles, and presented to the Duke of Edinburgh-to whom they were introduced by Captain Colville-an address, enclosed in a valuable casket, made 01 pierced silver-work. The document was written on vellum, and after stating how heartily the bearers welcomed him, added :-? A member of our beloved royal family we rejoice at all times to see among us, but when we combine your position with the remembrance of early days spent by you in this neighbourhood, and with the high rank you so worthily hold in the gallant service to which you have allied yourself, together with your many good qualities, which we recognise, but forbear to mention here, we feel, and are sure the inhabitants of the burgh feel, a peculiar pleasure in your present visit. We would also desire to welcome the fleet of which you have command, and which we are proud to think has also come to the Forth.? At noon, the duke, accompanied by Prince Hen9 of Prussia, General Macdonald, and the staff at head-quarters in Scotland, and a host of othei officers, including the Dock Commissioners, left the flagship in the BerZin steamer, which was covered with bunting, and amid loud cheering from the fleet and pleasure yachts, stood is shore under a salute from the Gartii CmtZe. The Berlin threaded her way up the harbour inta the Albert Dock, under the eyes of more than eighty thousand spectators. The quays were lined by the Leith Volunteers, but at the landing place stood a guard of honour, furnished by the Black Watch. The swing gate of the new dock had been opened at twelve o?clock, and a silk ribbon only stretched acxoss the aperture as a fanciful bar to the vas1 expanse of water which lay beyond, and which was now for the first time to bear a vessel on its bosom. Increasing her speed a little, the Berlin cut the ribbon with her bow, and as the ends fluttered away on either side, the dbke, standing on the deck amidships, exclaimed- ? I declare this dock to be open, and name it the Edinburgh Dock ! ? At the same time a salute of cannon was fired from the sea wall at the dock, and the most vociferous cheering came from the crowds on the quays, the grand stands, and the manned yards of the adjacent shipping. After being banqueted by the Dock Commissioners, the Duke drove to Edinburgh by the way of Leith Walk, and at the Council Chambers received an address of welcome, which was placed in his hands by Lord Provost Boyd, and which was contained in a magnificent silver casket. He returned to Leith by the way of Fettes College and Inverleith Row. At the latter place he alighted at the Botanical Gardens, where, at the request of the professor of botany, he planted in front of the botany classroom a Hungarian oak, about ten feet high. He reached the Victoria Dock at six in the evening, and was soon after on board the ZLermZes. The signal was then given to weigh anchor, and long before nightfall the whole squadron was steaming opt of the Firth. It may be mentioned that the swing bridge over the entrance ?of the Edinburgh Dock, and which weighs 400 tons, has hydraulic machinery of a nature so delicate that it was opened on the above occasion by a boy four years of age, a younger son of theresident engineer. In 1876 the constitution of the Leith Dock Commission was again altered by Act of Parliament. Now the board ,numbers fifteen members-three elected by the Town Council of Edinburgh, three by the Town Council of Leith, one by the Edinburgh Merchant Company, one by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, one by the Leith Chamber of Commerce, two by the shipowners, and four by the ratepapers. Besides the ordinary police force of the town, there is a regular dock police, under a superintendent, consisting of watchmen entirely for dock service, paid and governed by the Dock Commissioners. The superintendent of the town police has no authority over them; but as the commission has no police office, they bring their prisoners to that of the town. Before quitting this subject, a glance at the trade of the port may not be uninteresting. It cost ;C;15,000.

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