PORTS AND HARBOURS

goods and passengers had to be transferred from ship to
shore and vice versa in small native surf boats, often at
the risk of a capsizal, and frequently with the experience
of a wetting. But the construction, within recent years,
of a commodious harbour has obviated this dangerous
procedure. There are still, however, a number of ports
in such a primitive condition. On the coast of Palestine,
for instance, the port of Jaffa possesses no shelter, as yet
at any rate, and on many occasions ships, failing oppor-
tunity to anchor in safety off the coast, proceed perforce
on their journey to the next point in their itinerary.®
HARBOURS

We may say, then, that the first qualification of a port
is an adequate degree of shelter. The idea of shelter is,
perhaps, primarily and more closely associated with the
term Harbour. A harbour is, undoubtedly, a place of
shelter for shipping, but a harbour is not necessarily a
port. A harbour of refuge, as its name signifies, affords
shelter only, and does not provide any facilities for the
handling of cargoes. Therefore, while ports necessarily
are, or at any rate comprise, harbours, they have other
features which a harbour does not possess.

Before we pass on to consider these other features we
will make some brief comments on harbours as a class by
themselves.

Harbours are either natural or artificial. A natural
harbour is generally an indentation in the coast line
sufficiently enclosed, or protected by its environment and
topographical features, to provide a tranquil water area
for shipping. Some natural harbours are of considerable
Size, and are capacious enough to accommodate whole
fleets of vessels. Milford Haven, for instance, can provide
anchorage for an entire navy. Other expansive natural
harbours are to be found at Sydney, San Francisco, Cork
.' A project for the creation of an enclosed harbour at Jaffa is
in hand. a