The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-07-20 00:00:00

THE MERSEY DOCKS AND
HARBOUR BOARD.

IMPORTANT MEETING

• At the usual meeting of the Dock Board, yesterday,
Mr. Charles Turner presided ; and the other members
present were Messrs. Arnold, Boult, Smith, Shand,
Littledale, Graves, Hubback, Brocklebank, Evans, Segar,
Laird, Tobin, Mondel, Rankin, Rounthwaite, Hutchison,
and Langton..

3LORE FITTICHASES OF LAND.-REPORT ON THE STATE

AND PROGRESS OF THE DOCK WORKS AT LIVERPOOL

AND BIRKENHEAD.

The proceedings of the Works Committee comprised
a recommendation to accept the tenders of Messrs. King
an& Woodhouse for a supply of tarpauling, and Messrs.
John and Thomas Johnson for a supply of Russian
tallow, for general purposes, and also the following
matters :

The Engineer's annual reports of the general state
and progress of the dock works at Liverpool and Bir-
kenhead, and of-the expenditure thereon.
Resolution, under the authority of the board, to
purchase 19,258 and 50,672 square yards land, on the
south side Wallasey Pool.
Recommendation to purchase a further quantity of
land from Lord Derby, under the act of 1855, the
powers of which will expire on the 23rd instant.
The CHAIRMAN announced that the two latter points
would come on for consideration in the finance business.
It had been also resolved that in consequence of large
arrivals of timber expected from Canada, the closing of
the Brunswick-dock should be deferred till the 17th of
September next.
On the motion of Mr. Brocklebank, seconded by Mr.
Shand, the general proceedings were confirmed. The
following reports were then read from the Engineer :

LIVERPOOL DOCKS.

THE DOCK ENGINEERS' REPORT ON THE. GENERAL STATE AND

PROGRESS OF THE DOCK WORKS, AND OF THE EXPENDITURE

IN THEIR DEPARTMENT, FOR THE YEAR ENDINO 23RD JUNE,

he°.

INLAND CARRIRRS' DOCKS AND TIIEIR HALF-TIDE BASIN.—
'The excavations and masonry of these docks are progressing,
and the gates and the -machinery for the w.,rkiug of them are
in preparation.
STEAM DOCK, EAST OF HUSKISSON Docx.—The excavations
f this dock have made considerable progress, and the founda-
tion for the south wall, and the masonry thereof, has been
commenced. The masonry of these works has not progressed
-so satisfactorily as we expected, owing to the difficulty there
has been in procuring masons.
SEWERS.—The excavation and construction of a sewer in the
continuation of Regent-road, from Bankfield-street to the
Strand promenade, and the sewer westward thereof to the
river have been partly executed.
CANADA BASIN.---The portion of the stank left ha the en-
trance at the date of our last report has been removed, and the
masonry then required to be done has been completed.
CANADA Ducx.---The boundary wall on the west side, and
the cranes on the west side and south end of the dock, have
been completed. Screw moorings and iron buoys far this
dock have been procured, and are being fixed with as little
delay as poss.ble.
• TIMBER YARDS, EAST OF CANADA DOCK.---STIICe our last
report these yards, and the offices therein, have been com-
pleted, and are in the occupation of their respective teilants.
A double lice of rails, extending northward from the timber-
yard, along the continuation of Regent-road, has been com-
menced. The formation of the ground, south of Battery-street,
and East of Huskisson Dock, for the storage of timber, may
now be said to be completed. The several lines of rails for the
accommodation of the timber-trade, connecting the ground
with the main lines of dock railway, are nearly finished, and a
large sewer, with branches for the proper drainage of the same
land, has been constructed. A portion of 'the land east of
Itegent-road has been levelled for the storage of timber, and a
, xoad through it has been formed and paved.
DWELLING-MOUSES,---A residence on the west side of Canada
-Dock, for the dock-master, has been erected; and also a resi-
dence, with an office attached, at the Sandon Graving-docks,
for the north assistant harbour-master.
WELLINGTON Docx.---A transit shed has been erected on the
north-east quay, and the boundary-wall, west side of the half-
tide dock, has been extended northward to the entrance of the
Bandon Basin.

CLARENCE DOCK AND HAtr-Ttne Dock.---The enlargement
of the sheds on the south quay on the former, and the south-
west quay of the latter, has been completed.
VICTORLA Dom—The re-covering of the roof of the shed on
the south quay has been effected.
ORSERVATORT.--A time ball has been fixed at the Victoria
lower, and has for some time been in use. Telegraphic wires,
connecting the clock of the Tower with the Observatory, have
been erected, and a current of electricity is made to drop the
ball. The enlargement of the Observatory has been com-
menced.

ELECTRIC ,TintentAPß.---011ices for the use of the line along
the docks have been erected, and the whole is now in opera-
tion, in the hands of the British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph
Company. The line from Holyhead to Liverpool was corn-
'plated, but owing to the breakage of all the cables, both
between Point Lynes and Ormes-head and between Point of
Ayr and Hilbre Island, and likewise of that across the Mersey,
the working of the line has been interfered with. The cable
across the Mersey was laid several times, but without effect.
That between Point of Ayr and Hilbre Island was taken up
and re-laid, and is now in an efficient working state. The cable
between Point Lynes and Ormeshead was taken up as far as
.as postible, and the remainder abandoned. Reports are now
regularly received at Birkenhead, and a land line between
Point Lynes and Ormeshead is in Lourse of erection, in lieu of
the cable which was taken up.
PRINCE'S bout .—The old soft stone coping of the east wall
of this dock being very much worn, has been taken up and
replaced with granite.

PiLot's' OFFIcE.--4 .contract for the construction of these
at the south eno et Yrince's Dock ha; been entered into
and the work has been commenced.

ox:cater's Dom.—The covering of the roof of the shed on
the east quay has been complete&
LANraO STAors.---A boat-house and cranes for the use of
the Life-boats have been erected on the Prince's Landing-
arage. The replanking of the deck of the George's Landing-
•stage has made roasiderable progress ; but the prosecution of
-this work was stopped during the Whitsuntide holidays.
SALTIIOUSE Dock.--The enclosing of the sheds on the North
and West Quays with brick walls are in progress.
BRUNSWICK DOCK AND HALF-TIDE Dock.---The brick walls
Enclosing the sheds on the north -quays of these docks are com-
pleted- The gates and machinery for the north passage of the
dock are in a for ward state.

WATER FOUNTAINS for the use of the pUblic have been fixed
at several of the docks.

The expenditure on new works at Liverpool from the 25th
June, 1859, to the 23rd June, 18E0, had been £122,257 Bs. 7d.
The general repairs (maintenance and improvement of works)
at Liverpool had been £90,422 Bs. 7d.; and the increase of
stock had been £16,495 Is. 3d., making a total expenditure on
tthe Liveilpool side £229,174 18s. sd.

33IRKENHEAD DOCKS.
The ENGINEER'S ;REPORT of the general state and progress
of the Dock works, and the expenditure of his department
from the 25th June, 1859, to 23rd June, 1860.

GIILEAT FLOAT.—The excavations of this portion of the work
are fast approaching completion. The whole length of the
north well, measuring two thousand three hundred and sixty-
six lineal yards, is now finished, with the exception of the
coping, whitt can be more readily set when the water is let in.
Of this length one thousand and fifty-nine yards have been
built within the last twelve months. The tilting required to
form the north quay i.e nearly all put in, and a portion at the
east end Las been levelled and ballasted. The new sewer from
Wallasey-road to its outfall into the river at Seacombe Point
has been completed.
The formation of the new road between the same points has
been let by contract, and is being rapidly proceeded with. The
piers and passage, 100 feet in width, dividing the Float at
Ouke.street, ate completed, and the swing bridge for the
tran,,it of railway and other traffic is now being fixed in place.
The whole of the wall at the east end of the Float has been
constructed, and may be said to be completed; the entire
length of the foundations of this wall has had to be laid upon
bearing pies, from the very soft and dangerous character of
the soil. Very great anxiety and annoyance has been expe-
rienced, and very serious delay occasioned to the progress of
the work, by the constant giving way of the walls upon the
south side. I have now, with the single exception of the por-
tion opposite to .the yard of the Canada Company, had to open
tut and strengthen, and, to a great extent, re-build the whole
of the walls on the south side. All this work is either com-
pleted or in progress, and, excepting the portion along Victoria
Wharf, is fast approaching completion.; but from the cause
stated, I have had fully onerthird more work to execute than
was contemplated. .

The sheds, cranes, and bridges on the north side of the
Egerton Dock, for the accommodation of the Lancashire and
,Chesnire Junction Railway Company have been provided and
If,n their occupation since September last.
A considerable portion of the excavations for the entrances
into the grp.vi,ng docks, on the south side of the Great Float,
has b_en taken out, and the masonry is in course of construc-
tion.

Dr.r.r Low WATER BASIN.—About three-fourths of the mate-
rial to be excavated from this basin have been removed. A
Large portion of the masonry at the west end of the lock and
sluicing channels has been so far completed as to permit of the
gates, next to the Great Float, being fixed therein, which is
,20w being done. The piling of the foundation of the remainder
of the lock and sluices is rapidly approaching completion. A
considerable portion of the hydranlic machinery connected
with these entrances and sluices has been delivered. Wells for
freeing the platforms of the sills in these entrances from water
have been sank, and the engine-house and bnihlings for the
`vdraulic machinery are in course of construction. The outer
and inner tows of piling of the coffre dam are nearly complete.
Th.e planking is in a forward state, and the contractor has cum-
mencefl filling in the puddle.
WOOpBIpE BASIN ENCLOSURE,--The north wall is complete
to,near its jnnFtion with the north or river wall, of which 134
lineal yards of foundation are put in and SO lineal yards of
masonry carried up to t4e level of the old dock sill. Of the
north and west walls at the basin at the south end of this enclo-
sure, 130 lineal yards have .been Agiit to the height of eight
feet below the copings and the iii)rth wall 4 the Slip has been
partly built to within 60 feet of the east or river wql.l. A por-
tion of the land in this enclosure has been formed, and the
remainder is being rapidly proceeded with. Teaclos having
been obtained for the construction 9f a landing-stage opposite
this enclosure, the contract was let to Mess's. Thomas Vernon
and Son, on the 7th June last.
Moaexrn Docx ENLARGEMENT.---The excavations for the
enlargement of the dock are in progress, and a portion of the
85-feet lock has bees excavated sufficiently low to admit of the
masonry- being commenced.
NORTHERN ENTRANCES.---The excavations of this work have
not Proceeded so rapidly as was anticipated, the sudden dip of
the rock rendering it necessary to excavate in some parts to a
great depth, and for other portions to be piled. no masonry
at the west end of each of these entrances is now rapidly pro-
gressing, and the gates are in course of construction.
RIVER WALL.—This work has been- most tedious and diffi-
cult, owing to the nature of the soil and the great depth to
which the foundations have had to be carried. Two hundred
and eighty-three lineal yards of the wall opposite the south
reserve have been built to within three feet of the eopMg, and
formed with excavations taken from
the Morpeth Dock. A well has been sunk, and pumping
machinery fixed for taking the water from the foundations of the
-wall opposite the north reserve, and fifty-three lineal yards of
paling have been completed. •
RAILWAY.—A double line of rails, connecting the Lancashire
and Cheshire Junction railway with the laud of Mr. Vyner,
the south side the great Float, in accordance with the terms of
the agreement, is nearly complete.
BeAuroar-ROAD.---The formation and Paving of this road
has been greatly delayed by the contractor, but it is-. now nearly
completed.
Every exertion has been made to push forward with rapidity
the construction of the whole of these works, but their progress
'has not been so rapid as I anticipated and have desired, owing
to the difficulty experienced in procuring workmen, more
especially masons; added to which, the loss of time from, bad,
weather during the past autumn and winter has been greeter
than I can remember to have ever experienced.
The workein existence at the period of the transfer of the
estate to the board, with the exception of the walls of the