MILFORD-HAVEN, one of the finest harbours in
Europe, and indisputably the best in Britain, is situ-
ated in Pembrokeshire in South-Wales, and lies on
the north side of the Bristol Channel. It is very large,
safe, and deep; there is no danger of going in or out
with the tide, or almost with any wind. If a ship
comes in without a cable or anchor, she may run a-
shore on the ooze, and there lie safe till she is refitted;
and in an hour's time she may get out of the harbour
into the open sea. It lies extremely convenient for
ships bound from the English or Bristol Channels
to Ireland, or farther west, and from thence to the
Channels. It is said, that 1000 sail of any size may
ride
Milford ride secure in this haven. Yet Dr Campbell informs us, that, in some places, even this singular and wonderful haven is not safe. As, for instance, in Nangle-road, in Milford-haven, at about half-flood, all Nangle-flatch is covered; about the middle of which flatch or ooze there lie a parcel of straggling stones called the Oyster-rocks; most of them loote, and about four feet high, which renders the place very dangerous for ships which are obliged to run in there when it blows too hard in the road; and the more so, because they do not appear at low-water neap-tides, being quarter-tide stones. These, and some others on Nangle-point, may be removed at the expence of 1000l; but though the improvement and fortification of Milford-haven have been much talked of, and even a large sum granted by parliament for that purpose, very little hath been done, and it still continues in a great measure neglected. The pier, which lies now in ruins, would be very useful if repaired. In the time of queen Elizabeth, before the Spanish invasion, there were two forts begun at the entrance of Milford, one on each side, as may be seen in Speed's maps, called Nangle and Dale Block-houses; but they were never finished. The situation of these block-houses was very ill chosen, since a vessel being obliged to bring to before she has well entered the mouth of the haven, may either drive ashore on the rocks, or miss the harbour. A small fort might be built on the Stack, and another on Sandy-haven Point, which would command the entrance of Milford-haven, and not be liable to the former objection, or in any way prejudice the shipping. Pennamouth is the opening of that branch of the haven upon which the town of Pembroke lies, where the custom-house of Milford is kept. The entrance, or breadth from rock to rock, is but 200 yards at high-water, and 112 at low-water, and from 9 to 12 feet deep. The navigation up this river to Pembroke-town is much impeded by the rubbish of the limestone-quarries being thrown into the river; which ought to be prevented, or the place will in time be stopped up. Within Pennamouth a dock might be made, which would contain all the shipping in England, and which would be the greatest thing of the kind in the whole world. Milford-haven contains five large bays, 13 good roads, and 16 safe creeks.