Bridport

The harbour being liable to injury from the accumulation of sand, it is only by great and repeated efforts and at immense cost that it has been made so safe and commodious as it now is. It is situated at the bottom of the spacious bay extending between Portland and Torbay, and the cliffs near its entrance rise at some points to the height of 200 feet. It is capable of admitting vessels of 250 tons burthen. Since the construction of railways the coasting-trade, which was of considerable extent, has greatly fallen off. The number of vessels belonging to the port is between 15 and 20. The principal articles imported are hemp, flax, tallow, and timber, from Russia and the Baltic; coals from Wales and the north of England; wines, slate, &c. The exports consist of the various manufactures which form the staple business of the town; these are fishing-nets, sail-cloth, twine, cordage, and webbing. Considerable quantities of cheese and butter were formerly sent to London, but that trade for some years past has been on the decline. Bridport has been noted for the building of smacks and small vessels of fine construction and fast sailing. Ship-building is still carried on here. The town was first incorporated by a charter anted by Henry III., about 1253, which was con ed and extended by several succeeding sovereigns. The limits of the borough were considerably enlarged by the Reform Act, and comprise now, besides the old borough and the parish, parts of the neighbouring parishes of Allington, Bradpole, Bothenhampton, Burton Bradstock, Symondsbury, and Walsditch, containing altogether 1,468 inhabited houses, occupied in 1861 by a population of 7,672, against 7,566 in 1851, showing an increase of 106 in the decennial period. The government of the borough, now divided into three wards, is vested under the new Act in a mayor or bailiffs, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors, bearing the style of the "bailiffs and burgesses of the borough of Bridport." The borough has returned two representatives to parliament since the reign of Edward I., who conferred on it the elective franchise in 1295. The mayor or bailiffs are returning officers. Bridport is the seat of a Poor-law Union, the head of a County Court district, and a coastguard station. The corporation hold a court of session annually, and a court of record once a fortnight. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, of the value of £250, in the patronage of the Earl of Ilchester. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. It is an ancient edifice in the form of a cross, in the perpendicular style of architecture, with a good tower at the centre, crowned with pinnacles, and was admirably restored and considerably enlarged in 1859. It is said to be the finest church in the county, except Sherborne and Wimborne minsters, and contains an altar tomb of William, son of Sir Eustace Dabridgecourt, kinsman to Queen Philippa. There is also at Allington a new church, capable of accommodating 1,000 persons. There are chapels belonging to the Baptists, Independents, Society of Friends, Unitarians, Wesleyans, and Roman Catholics. A free school and an almshouse were founded and endowed about the close of the 17th century by Daniel Taylor, a member of the Society of Friends. The school has a revenue of about £80, and is managed by trustees; and the almshouse is endowed with about £70 per annum. There are also National and infant schools, and various charitable endowments producing about £100 a year. There are in the town a mechanics' institute and a savings-bank. Bridport was the birthplace of Giles de Bridport, who was raised to the see of Salisbury about 1250. The Hood family take the title of viscount and baron from this place. Wednesday and Saturday are the market days. Fairs for cattle, cheese, &c., are held on the 6th April, and the 11th October."