TORBAY

TORBAY, a commodious bay on the S.E. of Devonshire, at once the most perfect in form, and the most beautifully picturesque in Britain; of great importance to the naval power of the empire, as it is capable of affording shelter and anchorage to any number of even the largest vessels. The bay is formed by the projection of two rocky promontories, that on the north being named Hope's Nose, and that on the south Berry Head. The distance between these two points is about 4 miles; the depth of the bay from east to west is about 3½ miles; and the extent of the semilunar coast from Hope's Nose to Berry Head is about 12 miles. Near to the northern extremity is a sheltered recess in which is situated the singularly beautiful town of Torquay (which see): at about the middle of the bay is Paignton, a cheerful town, having the advantage of exten-

sive hard sands favourable for sea-bathing; and near to the southern point is Brixham, the chief seat of the Torbay fisheries, the greater part of the population being in one way or other dependent upon the fishing trade. Brixham is likewise distinguished as the spot at which William, Prince of Orange, and his followers, disembarked on the memorable November 5, 1688. At the entrance of the bay on the northern side there are four insulated rocks, called Orestone, Loadstone, Thatcher, and Shagrock. These form no hindrance to navigation, as close around them is a depth of water of from 6 to 10 fathoms. The bay in every part is sheltered, and the anchorage being strong clay, any number of vessels may be secured. Not a single river falls into the bay, which is situated about midway between the mouths of the Teign and of the Dart.