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The ship-building yards which are exhibited in this plate, are situated between the river and the Salthouse Dock, and have long been occupied for their present uses. Notwithstanding the great quantity of shipping required to carry on the business of the port, the number of ships built in Liverpool was inconsiderable, when compared with the number annually launched at several insignificant towns on the north-east coast of England. This resulted more particularly from a combination among the journeymen shipwrights. Happily this confederacy no longer exists, and Liverpool may compete with other ports in naval architecture.
The number of vessels belonging to the port in 1828 was 793, measuring 158,446 tons, and navigated by 8900 men. This statement, however, affords no criterion of the quantity of shipping actually employed here, as a great part of the trade is carried on by means of vessels belonging to other ports.
The large warehouse, which occupies the centre of the plate, belongs to the estate of the late Duke of Bridgewater, who caused this building to be erected, and a Dock, contiguous to it, to be constructed, for the accommodation of the vessels employed in trading along his line of internal navigation. A branch of the Dock is beneath the roof of the building, by which arrangement goods may be warehoused without incurring any charge
for cartage, or being subject to risk of injury from exposure to the weather.
Farther south is shewn the King's Tobacco-warehouse, enclosing an area of three acres, one rood, and twenty-five perches, situated between the river and the King's Dock, erected by the Corporation, and rented by Government. All the tobacco imported is lodged here until the duties are paid, and the article examined. Whatever portion is damaged, so as to be unsaleable, is burnt within the premises, to prevent injury to the revenue. A gravelled terrace, extending the whole length of the King's Dock, lies between the warehouse and the river, and commands a fine view of the opposite shore.
The entrance to the basin of the King and Queen's Docks immediately succeeds, and the view is terminated by the Herculaneum Pottery, which successfully competes with the great manufactories of Staff'ordshire, both in the quality and cheapness of its wares.
We beg leave to add, that the series of Views now described, exhibits the most complete graphic delineation of Liverpool which has yet been presented to the public.
Painting analysis: IMO, this is how I think the description fits. I've pushed the potteries further back, to account for the Queen's Dock ship-building yards, which would have been seen at the time.
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