CHAPTER X
SOME TYPICAL PORTS
We will conclude the review of our subject with a brief
survey of some of the more notable ports of the world
and their leading characteristics.
STANDARDS OF COMPARISON

The standards by which the importance and prosperity
of ports are measured are various, and it is not easy to
effect an altogether satisfactory comparison or to make
an accurate statement of rank and order. In estimating
its position, each port naturally takes the standard which
is most favourable from its own point of view. We will
mention some of these standards in order to point out
their relative values.

1. The number of ships visiting a port during a year is
obviously so misleading, in that it makes no distinction
whatever between the smallest sized craft and large
ocean-going liners, that it is rarely, if ever, adopted.

2. The tonnage of shipping, recorded at a port as having
visited it and paid port dues, is more generally acceptable.
It does give due weight to the size and importance of the
vessels. On the other hand, it has the defect that ships
put in to ports on various grounds, not merely for the
usual turn-round, but also for casual reasons, including
stress of weather, and many call for the purpose of receiving
or discharging part cargoes only, some of them perhaps
relatively very small consignments indeed. A number of
calls of this kind will soon inflate a port’s returns. Then,
a large vessel may occasionally come specially to a port
on account of its possessing a suitable graving dock for
repairs. The tonnage of shipping visiting a port cannot,
therefore, be considered altogether as a reliable criterion

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