§ Mr. P. Milesmoved the second reading of the National Floating Break water Bill.
Captain Fitzroysaid, he felt it necessary to call the attention of the House to this bill, by which a national floating breakwater company was proposed to be established, and to give a brief description of the sort of breakwater the formation of which was contemplated, for the purpose of inducing those who were at present favourable to the project to inquire further into the subject, and to consider what would be the probable effect of the plan. He was of opinion that no structure in the nature of a breakwater could last for more than three or four years in the sea, unless it was formed of some very solid substance. A wooden structure would not continue to float for more than three or four years. It would be subject to the action of worms, which would bore through and through it in a few years, and destroy its buoyancy. Another objection was, that the chains by which it must be moored would, by the constant friction in the water, and by the action of the water itself, wear away very fast. As an instance of this, he might refer to the chains laid down by the Trinity-house at the different buoys, which were inspected every six months. It was found with respect to them, that the ironwork, the chains, and rings, never lasted more than six or seven years at the utmost. In seven years it was found that the chains were worn through. Now, he could not see 585 howa breakwater formed of wood, which would soon lose its buoyancy, and the chains of which in a few years would be unserviceable, could properly answer the purpose for which it was intended. He did not think it would last for more than five years at the utmost. With these impressions he felt it to be his duty to call the attention of the House to the bill.
§ Bill read a second time.