Star.
London, England, 1830-04-10 00:00:00

7 •

.'~'°,~

. .
DX,9,- ou-at •
-,;;;--
i*:/-'
• .; r
jg
\,..., , .
.... ,
~............ii.cit..._,
ST. K__A7'H A RINE DOCK COMPA NY'S STEAM
PACKET W 114819.

ill,' great risk and inconvenience which have hitherto
attended the mode of landing from, and embarking on board of
steam.vessels in the port of London, and the extortion and abuse to
which passengers have too frequently been subjected from the mis-
cor.duct of watennen and others, have long been matter of most Fe.
?lOUs ::rd well-founded complaint. Thousands of persons who
would have been delighted to partake of the cheap and healthy
mode ot recreation which steam-navigation affords, have been pre.'
ve-iuti from availing themselves of it on account of the fear which
is penendly felt at being exposed to the personal risk and incon-
venience alluded to, whilst no means existed along the banks
of he River Thames by which accommodation could be afforded
tt, :team-vessels so as to enable them to proceed alongside and
delw at all periods of the tide ; besides which, all they/hies in
the v.t :rift, of the Tower and London-bridge are crowded with mcr-
. ha.,t ships. i7tider these circumstances the St. Katharine Dock
t'vnipr.ny have at a great expense appropriated a spacious wharf,
j.c•Ft Sting about 170 feet river frontage, adjoining the dock entrance,
to the porposts of steam vessels, and the wharf, with the buildings,.
Ice. will be completed in the eourse of the present month. The
ar.siety. however, displayed by the public to avail themselves
durieg the holydays ot the means which will be thus afforded for
rife landing and embarkation, and at the pressing entreaties
of the steam packet companies, the Harlequin, belonging to
the General Steam Navigation Company, being one of their
largest vessels, was permitted to go alongside the wharf yes-
terday morning, from whence she started at about half an hour be-
fore low water, with about 400 persons, upon an excursion to the
Note and back. The tide being down, the gems embarked
from the intermediate platform constructed in trrfretirint of the wharf,
which platform is 160 feet in length and 14 feet wide, communi-
eating with the wharf by two handsome and commodious stairs, pro-
tected by iron railings, and to which it is intended to fix four drop
stages (one of which was in use yesterday,) which, by means of ma-
chinery, communicate with the deck of the vessel, according to the
state of the tide.

In the centre of the wharf a strong drop-bridge of 40 feet in length
and 9 feet wide, has been erected, the drop being suspended by
chains and iron plates, worked by machinery, by which, and with
the greatest facility, the bridge may be lowered or raised to suit the
deck of the vessel according to the state of the tide. This bridge is
intended to be used principally for the landing or shipping of car-
riages, horses, cattle, &c. which may be done without the use of
cranes ; and whenever the intermediate platform from the state
of the tide cannot be resorted to, the bridge, with the addition
of accommodation-ladders, will be employed for the convenient
landing or embarking of passengers. Two brick buildings are
erecting at each end of the wharf, which will afford separate
places of deposit for baggage, &c. landed from steam-vessels ar-
riving foreign, as distinguished from baggage, &c. landed from river
or coasting boats ; and convenient waiting-rooms, with offices, &c.
will be prepared for the use of passengers frequenting the wharf, the
platforms of which will be well lighted with gas for the safety of
passengers arriving after dark. It is understood that, from the ar-
rangements which have been entered into between the St. Katharine
Dock Company and the General Steam and Margate Packet Com-
panics, the public will be exempt from charge upon embarking or
larding, including one hundred weight of baggage. The steam.
packet companies have also engaged that no addition is to be made
to their fares on that account.