Margate had originally a natural inlet of the sea; and in the reign of Edward I. Gore-end church, in consequence of the sea's encroachment, was removed inland. "Margate," says Leland, "lyeth in St. John's paroche in Thanet, a v. mile fro Reculver; and there is a village and a peere for shyppes, but sore decayed." Owing to its natural position, Margate has never been able to establish a foreign trade. In 1787, the old wooden pier having become ruinous, it was cased with stone, and extended further into the sea; but a tremendous gale having soon after come on, the works were demolished; and a fresh act of parliament being obtained for that purpose, a fine, strong, and convenient mole was erected on a new plan, where a public promenade, with an extensive prospect, affords a beautiful source of recreation to the visitors, while at the same time it shuts out from observation the hurry and bustle of the harbour. In 1748, a tremendous storm from the southward drove a number of vessels from their anchorage in the Downs, many of which were wrecked under these cliffs. The vast sacrifice of life and property thus occasioned induced the shipping and mercantile interests to think of increasing the capacity of Ramsgate harbour, an account of which appears in this work. Winds from the south-east and south-west are those by which the safety of the shipping in the Downs is most endangered. Vessels breaking adrift in the latter at night, with strong south-west and southerly gales, says an experienced naval officer, should run into the North Sea, through the Gulf Stream; if in distress, and the attempt uncertain, the only alternative is to run for Ramsgate harbour or on the Sandwich flats. Along this coast nine lug-boats, called _hovellers_, are employed for the relief of vessels in distress. They vary from twenty to twenty-seven tons burthen each, draw five feet water, and are usually manned with a crew of ten men, who are always on the out-look for vessels requiring their assistance. By their proverbial courage and exertions, many lives are annually saved from vessels wrecked on the neighbouring coast and shoals, and much valuable property restored to its owners. When it becomes a salvage case, they lay their claims before one of the commission courts, appointed by the Lord Warden, who make an award agreeable to the service performed. Several of these boats are stationed at Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, and Dover; but those of the latter only have the privilege to enter continental ports, by license from the Custom-house. In the most severe and boisterous weather several of these boats cruise in the Narrows of the Channel, and are frequently the means of rendering, under desperate circumstances, important service to the shipping interest. [Illustration: CHATHAM.] CHATHAM DOCK-YARD.