Harbours of the Isle of Man

Harbours are obviously essential to the economy of an island nation. During the Stanley period the main harbour would be appear to be Derbyhaven though Douglas was soon to become the main centre of trade.
Feltham quoting from the commission of 1776 gives the following ports with their creeks (his spelling is kept). The term Creek was used by the Customs to indicate that certain officers were stationed there - however later Feltham states (in section on Bride) that these creeks were not to be understood in that way but apparently as recognised landing grounds serviced from the main port.
Douglas. - Creeks, Port-Moore, Cornay, Laxey, Garwick, Groudel, Port-Concan, Port-Sodric, Greenwick.
Derby-haven. - Creeks, Castletown-harbour, Poolevash, Port le Marie, Port-Iron, Fleshwick, Noorble.
Peele. - Creeks, Glenmay, Glenwilliam, Ballaugh.
Ramsay. -Creeks, Lanemoore, Port-Cranstail, Port-League [Port Lewaigue].

The collected revenues shows the relative importance:

According to Moore [1900] the first record of care for the maintenance of harbours by the collection of harbour dues was in 1734. The earlier impost of 'anchorage rates' would appear to have been treated merely as a tax without imposing any duty of care. Such care as there was would appear to have been done by forced labour of the local militia companies. In this year supervisors of the harbours were appointed and it was agreed that the anchorage rates would be applied to the upkeep of the harbours.
Two Victorian inquiries looked at the Island harbours - the Royal Commission into Tidal Harbours of 1845 (from which most of the small maps are taken) and the report of Captain Washington of 1850 following complaints of maladministration of the Harbour Commissioners.

The 1854 bye-laws are available