It was situated at the head of a navigable lough, and formed an outlet for the manufacturing products of the inland country.

Ships of any burden, however, could not come near the town.

The cargoes, down even to a recent date, had to be discharged into lighters at Garmoyle.

Streams of water made their way to the Lough through the mud banks; and a rivulet ran through what is now known as the High Street.
The population gradually increased.

In 1788 Belfast had 12,000 inhabitants.