The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-02 00:00:00

This fact merits the best attention of the Proprietors of
this Company, of commercial men generally, and of the
.country at large. The Directors have already received
Intimations of the desire of many powerful parties, either
already engaged in steam navigation, or contemplating its
application lo the intercourse between this country and the
two Continents of America, the West and East Indies, to
ascertain the precise nature of the accommodation the Co-
mpany may be enabled to afford to steam-vessels, especially
to those of the largest class ; and this having brought the
matter home to the reflection of the Directors, they have
ascertained that, mithout interfering with the appropria-
tion of ample space for close docks, with warehouses, two
tidal docks ear) ing in size may be constructed, each on the
side of the Itch: is. The larger, on the south, to contain
twenty acres of eater, with twenty feet, low water, spring
tides. The smaller, on the northern extremity in the int •
mediate proximity of the London and Southampton Rail-
way Station, with approaches to the town of Southampton,
and firm ground fur the constructions of sheds and
warehouses, to contain not less than ten acres of water,
with fourteen feet, low writer, spring tides. Whether.
it may ultimately he considered necessary to make both of
these docks, it must be left to the course of events to de-
termine. Of the propriety of forming one of them, there
can be no doubt, but which of the two, and when it may
be proper to enter upon the work of the first, the Directors
cannot yet decide. They await the opinion of two expe-
rienced engineers, to whom they propose to refer upon this
head, as well as to the merits of the plan, for the final ap-
propriation of the whole of the dock land, the plans for
which are now submitted.
Slaving in their previous Reports drawn the attention of
the Proprietors, exclusively, to the Western Dock, the
Directors beg to add, that the suggestions new offered, do
not interfere with the plan of the proposed Western Dock,
unless, as is probable, it should be found more convenient
to make the entrance lock east and west, from the southern
tidal dock, instead of north and south, from Southampton-
water. Should that alteration be determined on, the con-
struction of the southern tidal dock, and the western dock
may proceed simultaneously, or the latter may be some-
what postponed to the former. Should the ground be
thus appropriated to two tidal and one close dock, nearly
eighty acres will still remain, sufficient for two more close
docks, with space for a wharf of full half a mile in extent
on the shore of the Itchen, that river affording shelter and
many of the resources of a dock.
In submitting this view of the great capacity of the land
possessed by the Company for every description of com-
merce, the Directors beg to assure the Proprietors that
they are not unconscious of the magnitude of the works
necessary to carry out the whole design, and they feel
forcibly the claim upon their prudence, to proceed with
care and caution in committing the Company to an outlay
of capital, nor are they regardless of the announcement
they have already made of their intention to complete the
Western Duck first. They cannot, however, in justice to
their trust, refuse to attend to the strong appeal to their
judgment arising from the progress of steam navigation,
and they therefore feel assured that the Proprietors will
leave them unfettered to pursue such a course as to the
order of progression in which the works shall be carried
on, as they may deem best calculated to meet the conve-
nience of the public, and to become most beneficial to the
Company.
Further contracts have been made for materials, particu-
larly for a large supply of gravel and other soil, for the
embankments, and the cash payments include the purchase
of a cargo of timber now on hand. These supplies, to-
gether with the provision previously made, will enable
the Directors to make effective progress during the
coming season, if duly supported by capital, of which
they cannot entertain any. doubt, when they advert, not
only to the variety of considerations which combine to re-
commend the undertaking as a most beneficial investment,
but to the cordial support which it has now receivedfrom
Proprietors of the Losnee AND SOUTHAMPTON RAILWAY
COMPAN V, and who enter the Court of Directors fully
sensible of the identity of interest of the two Companies.
Not having hitherto required the use of more capital
than they have had at their command, the Directors have not
urged the payment of the call in arrear, by all the means
the Act of Incorporation would- authorize, and they still