Daylight broke as we came off the mouth of the river; and the wind being fair and moderate, we stood up without fear of getting on shore.  We followed a homeward-bound clipper fruit vessel, passing the entrance to numerous fine docks, and shipping of all descriptions.  We picked up a tolerably safe berth among several other yachts.  It was well we got up when we did, for soon afterwards the whole river seemed covered with spluttering, hissing, smoking, panting, busy little steam-vessels, crossing to Birkenhead, on the Chester shore, or running up the river or down the river, or visiting vessels at anchor in the stream.  The tide also had just turned.  The wind being light and fair, numbers of outward-bound ships got under weigh, carried on their course by steamers lashed alongside.  As soon as we had dressed and breakfasted, we pulled to a landing-stage outside the docks.