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53
LAUNCHES.
A scheme for the more economical working of the launches, in view of the scarcity
of suitable coal and reduction of staff, became necessary.
The " Lady Truscott " was withdrawn from ordinary inspections.
The " David Burnett " was placed on the Gravesend Station, whilst the Upper and
Middle Districts were worked by the "George Briggs."
It was thus possible to dispense with the services of the temporary stoker on the
"Lady Truscott" and the temporary deckhand on the " David Burnett."
The new arrangement was put into force on the 29th March.
Two launches, therefore, have been doing work usually done by three. Of the
launch crews, consisting of ten men, four have joined the Colours and one has
resigned, thus reducing the original staff by half.
HULK " HYGEIA."
During August the hulk was found to be leaking. The hulk was placed in dry
dock, and on examination there were found some leaky bolts and trenails, and some
defective planks in the bottom. The seams also required recaulking. These repairs
were carried out, but in September the hulk again sprung a leak and soon had six feet
of water in the hold. By pumping she was kept afloat, and was again put into dry dock
when further defective planks and seams were found. These having been put right, no
further trouble has arisen. The hulk, however, is of wood, and old, therefore likely in
future to give further trouble of the kind referred to.
PORT OF LONDON.
The limits of the Port of London as at present defined commence at High Water
Mark in the River Thames at Teddington Lock, in the County of Surrey, and extend
down both sides of the River Thames to an imaginary straight line drawn from the
Pilot Mark at the entrance of Havengore Creek, in the County of Essex, to the Lands
end at Warden Point, in the Isle of Sheppey, in the County of Kent, such point being
the North-Western limit of the Port of Faversham, and shall extend up and include
both sides of the River Medway to an imaginary straight line drawn from the SouthEast
point of land westward of Coalmouth Creek, thence across the said River
Medway to the Westernmost point of the piece of land which forms the Eastern side
of the Stangate Creek, or, in other words, the North-West point of Fleet Marsh, and
from thence in a Southerly direction to Iwade Church, in the said County of Kent,
and thence in a North-Easterly direction to Elmley Chapel, in the said Isle of Sheppey,
a supposed direct line from Elmley Chapel to Iwade Church, being the Western
limit of the Port of Faversham, and the said Port of London shall include the
Islands of Havengore Creek aforesaid, called Potton and Rushey Islands, and so
much of the said Creek and watercourse as extends from it to the town of Rochford,
and shall also include all other islands, rivers, streams, creeks, waters, watercourses,
channels, harbours, docks and places within the before-mentioned limits contained.