20/43 Accordingly, one Saturday in the month of September 1837, he proceeded in his miniature boat, down the river, from Blackwall to Gravesend. There he took a pilot on board, and went on to Ramsgate. He passed through the Downs, and reached Dover in safety. A trial of the vessel's performance was made there in the presence of Mr.Wright, the banker, and Mr.Peake, the civil engineer. From Dover the vessel went on to Folkestone and Hythe, encountering severe weather. |