— This same blessed (Milford) Holyhead, and, by the way
Tell me how Wales was made so happy as
To inherit such a haven.
For certain purposes, such as shelter, the harbour will become progressively available. Great benefit has been derived from the works, even in their present imperfect state. Hundreds of vessels have already taken shelter under the breakwater; the writer has counted as many as forty vessels at one time anchored in the Harbour; and the time is not far distant, when the spacious and beautiful haven will afford a refuge to ships of all sizes. When the foaming surges rave, and the billows roar—when the storm-cloud broods, and the thunder-storms crash—when hurricane howls music, on the wild wide sea, and the big waves roll the chorus; when the shattered vessel is driven the mock of ocean, and the sport of winds, her tars will anchor here, and, safely moored, will tell their wonders over.—
Safe from the wind and tide
The mighty vessels will triumphant ride.
The works may be seen by visitors, subject to certain regulations, by seeking a pass at the Engineer’s Office, near the works, in the obtaining of which there is no difficulty.
CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.
Railways have given an impetus to our country’s civilization. They are the veins and arteries by means of which the circulation of the social body is carried on. Remote places are, by this means, virtually brought near to each other; and thus, while intelligence is diffused, an impulse is given to commerce, each of which advantages most powerfully affects the conditions of the people. The benefits of cheap and quick communication to a great commercial state are too evident to require to be enlarged upon. Time and money are thus importantly saved, and a rapid and economical transit of goods, by lessening their costs, enable the humblest to partake of comforts which were formerly considered as luxuries only for the rich.
Amongst the railway enterprises in this kingdom, the Chester and Holyhead line must be considered as possessing peculiar claims to public attention. The stupendous character of the work—the difficulties which had to be overcome, and the vast sum invested in the undertaking, place this line in the foremost rank amongst the splendid achievements of our days; indeed we may justly consider it the masterpiece of the human intellect, and the wonder of the nineteenth century. In its course, it divides broad estuaries, it penetrates the bowels of the loftiest hills, forming an iron-road where the foot of man had never trod, and the hardiest rocks have succumbed to the irresistible energy of human actions and scientific skill—it crosses the important navigable river at Conway, and the Menai Straits, by means of immense iron-tubes, at such an elevation as not to impede the progress of the largest vessels. It presents an extraordinary display of enterprise and wealth; so large an accumulation of the conquests of energy, and the constituent elements of riches, it may be safely said, was never before collected in the same compass. The whole line is a noble exemplification of art subjugating and triumphing over the opposition of natural difficulties. Its completion formed an epoch in the history and application of mechanical power. If only a few years ago it had been said that people could pass over the Menai Straits, without inconvenience and without danger, at the rate of from 30 to 40 miles per hour, the tale would have been treated as one of those visionary stories, which in former days were the amusements of the nursery.
Holyhead is the terminus of this extraordinary line—a line of great value to this place, effecting as it has done a rapid communication between this port and the eastern part of the county, as well as the manufacturing districts of Cheshire, Lancashire, and the North; while, uniting with other lines, a connexion is opened up with the Metropolis.
RAILWAY STATION.
The Holyhead Station is an extensive and commodious one, connected with which are Refreshment Rooms, with Waiting and Dressing Rooms attached, Telegraph Office and a well furnished Book Room, the whole fitted up on a most splendid scale, well arranged and in excellent order, and plentifully supplied with luxurious food. A table d’hote at the Refreshment Rooms on the arrival of the mail and express packets from Ireland, conducted by Mrs. Hibbert, late of Wolverton. In Mr. Massinberd, manager of the Railway Station, the traveller will meet with a gentleman anxious to give every information which even the most timorous and querulous may require to further his views, or quell his fears. The Railway Company have also erected a large cattle and luggage station on the pier. A new line of railroad has been constructed along the margin of the traeth, or sandy estuary, which forms the Harbour, extending nearly a mile from the Station to the Pier. Arrangements for the transit of goods and live stock between Ireland and England have been made. A steamer leaves the North Wall, Dublin, every evening; but the period has been so short that no opportunity has been afforded to ascertain its success; there is, however, every prospect of the traffic becoming a very important feature in the developement of this line, and certain to be productive of a large additional revenue to the company.