HC Deb 18 May 1855 vol 138 cc767-8
SIR RICHARD BULKELEY

said, he wished to ask the right hon. Baronet the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he would lay upon the table of the House (with as little delay as possible) a more detailed statement of the intentions of Government with regard to the works required in the new harbour of Holyhead: Firstly, To what part of the works the sum of 120,000l. voted by the House on Monday, the 16th instant, is to be applied: Secondly, What arrangements the Government propose for accommodating the increasing traffic with Ireland, and for the daily arrival and despatch of steam-vessels of a larger class than those at present in use there; and in what part of the harbour the works for this purpose are to be constructed, and when they are to be commenced?

SIR CHARLES WOOD

said, he could not lay before the House any more detailed statement with regard to the works at Holyhead than was conveyed in the Miscellaneous Estimates of the year. He might state generally that, by lengthening the northern breakwater, a sheltered roadstead would be afforded to many vessels, by which relief would be given to the harbour now very much crowded. The sum voted this year would be applied principally to laying the foundation and carrying out the works of the breakwater as rapidly as possible; this being the groundwork of all future improvements. It was also proposed that a landing place should be constructed in the inner part of the northern breakwater, to which a communication would be opened from the railroad so as to enable the passengers to be carried on board at once without walking from the carriages. All the works, he might add, would be constructed according to prepared plans and specifications.

LORD NAAS

said, he wished to know whether the new pier would be sufficiently large to allow first-class steamers to go up to it?

SIR CHARLES WOOD

said, the depth of water at the landing pier would be from twenty-nine to thirty-five feet at low water, the area of the harbour 267 acres; and the projected roadstead 350 acres—in all 617 acres for the harbour and roadstead.