Some account of the
PORT OF LONDON

In 1660, only 140,000 tons of shipping belonged to all the ports of Great Britain; and 95,266 tons cleared outwards; but the adoption of the restrictive system proved so beneficial, that at the period of the Revolution in 1688, our mercantile marine had nearly doubled, and 190,533 tons of shipping cleared outwards. In 1694, the suburbs to the east of the Tower, in consequence of the increase of commerce and navigation, had become so populous, (notwithstanding the fearful ravages of the Great Plague in that district,) that a new parish was constituted, under the name of St. John Wapping. In 1700, the imports into Great Britain were valued at £5,970,175, whilst our exports in the same year were £7,302,716.

The first accurate account of the extent of our commercial navy was obtained in 1702, by the commissioners of the Customs, from which it appears, that there then belonged to all the ports in England and Wales, 3281 vessels, of the estimated burden of 261,222 tons, employing 27,196 men, and carrying 5660 guns. Of these there belonged to

The peace of Utrecht gave fresh vigour to trade; and, in 1713, our shipping had increased to 421,000 tons, after which its progress was very gradual, for in 1739 it had only augmented one-seventh. The increase of our exports during this period was much more rapid, being more than one-fourth, viz, from 7,300,000l. to 10,000,000l. In the year 1729, 8889 vessels entered the Port of London, of which number 1839 British, and 213 Foreign vessels, were from foreign parts, the rest being coasters.

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Prints: London Interiors