Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland

88
The harbour is admirably situated for trade, admitting
vessels of great burthen. It has been lately greatly en-
larged, a wet dock and a graving-dock have been added,
and a new pier is nearly finished. There are at present
about 170 vessels belonging to the port of Dundee,
measuring about 17,000 tons, manned by 14 or 1500 Sea-
men. There are ten ships employed in the Whale fishery,
about 70 in the foreign trade, and the remainder in the
coasting trade. Of these coasters 12 are in the London
trade alone, which sail regularly twice a week. Dundee
is one of the first commercial ports in Scotland. The
principal imports are flax from the Baltic, timber from A-
merica, — West India produce, spirits, wines, &c. and coal
and lime. The exports consist of manufacturing and agri-
cultural produce. The chief manufacture is that of linen
of all kinds, brown linen has always been a staple article
of manufacture. Bleached linen has been introduced only
of late years, and promises to do well, the articles manu-
factured are imitations of the sheeting and duck of Russia,
and the doulas and shirting of Germany. Sail cloth is a
great article of Dundee manufacture. In the last war it
amounted to the amazing quantity of 700,000 yards per
annum, — now it is considerably less. Bagging of all kinds,
both for home use and exportation, is extensively made.
Dundee thread, coloured and white, has been long in great
esteem, and still continues to be manufactured.
The quantity of Flax annually imported amounts to 5
or 600 tons, the whole of which is manufactured in the
town and neighbourhood. There are several extensive