Chap. VIII.

BRITAIN.

365

In the time of the Saxons , this haven was called Tameorwetk; by the Normans SouthTown, and in the reign of Henry VI. it received the name of Plymouth . We have an

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Fig. 366.

PLYMOUTH SOUND.

account of the town in the reign of Elizabeth, and of its new charter, then granted at therequest of Sir Francis Drake , who brought water to all the houses by means of leadenpipes from a reservoir which he formed above the town, the property of which he vestedin the mayor and commonalty, and their successors for ever. The water was conveyedto the reservoir, through a winding channel of 24 miles, from some springs at Dartmoor;this enterprise of the gallant admiral is perhaps the earliest example in England of sup-plying a town with water brought from a distance.

Plymouth lias had at various times considerable fortifications erected around it for itssecurity : its most ancient fort, built in the reign of Edward III. , is by Leland styled“ a strong castel quadrate, having at each corner a great round tower.” This fortress,which stood on the south of the town, near the pier, is now* nearly demolished, as are thenumerous block-houses which were erected at different points of the harbour in the timeof Queen Elizabeth. Some traces of them may perhaps yet be seen on the site of thefort which occupied Hoe Cliff, where the citadel now stands. The view from the citadelcomprehends Maker Tower, Mount Edgcumbe, the town of Dock, now Devonport, MountWise, and the Tamar, the beautiful bay of Causand, the Sound, the Bristol Channel , and,in fine weather, Eddystone lighthouse , the scenery around Saltram, Plympton, Mary Vale,and the lofty hills of Dartmoor.

St. Nicholas Isle, also fortified, is connected to the south-west shore by a range ofrocks, which are uncovered at low tides. Near the Devil’s Point is the victualling offices,where are granaries, bakehouses, and every requisite for the supply of a large navy. Thedocks, situated about 2 miles from Plymouth , on the eastern bank of the Hamoaze, aredefended by strong fortifications, and acknowledged to be the finest examples of a maritimeestablishment in the world: they contain upwards of 72 acres, and are surrounded by astone wall 30 feet high. Basins, docks, slips, rigging houses, artificers’ shops, mast-housesand ponds, rope-houses, mould lofts, and all that can be deemed necessary for the navy ofa great nation, are provided on a most perfect and extensive scale. %

The basin, made in the reign of William III. , has within it a dock 198 feet in length,66 feet wide, and 23 feet deep.

Adjoining the south jetty are the rigging-houses, 480 feet in length, three stories high;and on the other two sides, forming a square, are various store-houses. Beyond these, to