The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-01-20 00:00:00

REPORT.

This document stated that at a meeting of the Dock Commit-
tee, held on the 13th instant, to consider and decide upon
'plans and estimates of proposed dock improvement in Wap-
ping, Nova Scotia, &c., the committee had considered the im-
provements in Wapping as prepared by the surveyor, together
with the reports and estimates, and resolved that the plan be
,teil•es bep oban itoarm edt o a into effect;they f
also
riproved d
the bettere accommodationit approvedan ofw
or
coasters, &c., on the site of Nova Scotia, and resolved that
similar powers be obtained. Also that powers be obtained to
purchase such land on the site of the late Harrington. Dock as
might be degrable to widen the east quay of that dock; and,
finally, that the whole plans be laid before the trustees for their
approval, and that the Mayor be requested to call a special
meeting of the Council, to consider the same.
Mr. HARTLEY's communication to the Chairman of the Par-
liamentary Committee explains his views relative to the ap-
propriation of the land to be purchased. He states :
" One of the greatest inconveniences connected with the
Liverpool Docks has been the want of a connection between
the North and South Docks •; vessels having ,
discharged their
cargoes in any of the docks of the South division, glarequired
to take in their outward cargoes in the Northern Ds, (which
is a case constantly occurring,) have hitherto been obliged
to take in ballast to enable them to go in the river, as
well as to employ a steam-boat and pilot, or run the
chance of being upset, an instance of which, I believe, oc-
curred only. the other day. The inconvenience arising from
this cause is every day becoming greater, and will be still
more strongly felt when the Albert dock and warehouse are
brought into full operation ; and it has been partly with a view
to remedy thiS evil, that I have designed the plan for a dock in
Wapping, connecting the Queen's and Salthouse docks. Not
only has there a great necessity been felt for a more convenient
water communication, but a still greater necessity for a better
laud access to the different docks in this particular locality.
The East quays of the Queen's, the King's, the Salthouse,
and the George's docks are all greatly too narrow for the work-
ing of those docks ; and if those parts thereof belonging to the
Dock Estate were to be fenced off from the streets,, which it is
desirable they should be, in order to give more uninterrupted
accommodation to the working of the docks, then the streets
(which, including footpath and carriage-way, are only 30 feet)
would be so much contracted as to render it impossible to car-
ry on the ordinary traffic with that facility winch ought to be
afforded ; for not only has the traffic arising between the docks
themselves had to pass in this direction, but also from the cir-
cumstance of the railway del:oft and several of the carrier's
wharfs being likewise in this vicinity, almost the whole com-
mercial traffic between this port and the interior has been con-
centrated here, in streets far too confined for the purpose.
These inconveniences I have endeavoured to remedy in the design
now laid before you. Little, if any, explanation of the plan it-
self can, I think, be needed, as the great improvement to be
derived from it will at once be obvious to any one conversant
with the present state of Wapping and the adjacent thorough-
fares.

" It is proposed to construct a dock of 51 acres area, having
a quay on its east side, 75 feet in width, and a public street on
the outside. 75. feet in width, running in a straight line from
near the south-west corner of Canning-place, to the west end
of Kitchen-street. A communication is also proposed to be
made between this dock and the existing Duke's dock, by
which means very great facility will be given to the carrying
trade, and_consequently to the shipping trade generally.
The contemplated means of forming a system of railway
communication along the whole line .of the docks, is greatly
dependent upon this plan being carried out; and in further-
ance of that measure, it is also proposed to purchase the Man-
chester basin, and the New River. Company's basin, and to
form there an additional outlet into the river, opening from
George's dock passage, (which it is intended shall be widened
and otherwise improved) by which great relief will be given to
the transit of ships to and from the Prince's and George's
docks and George's basin, and the coasters and others relieved
from the inconvenience attendant upon the use of the latter of
those quays. Graving blocks may then be laid on each side of
the basin. In connection also with this outlet, dopOts will be
formed, with which the railways from the different docks will
be connected, thus facilitating still further the operations of
the carriers. Every facility which can be afforded to the rapid
transit of merchandise to and from the shipping must act prac-
tically as a proportionate increase of dock accommodation, and
I do not think I can recommend to. you .any plan more likely
to attain this object, or be more beneficial to the general
interests of the trade than the one I now have the honor of sub-
mitting for your consideration.
Mr. HARTLEY concludes by saying that he has not had
leisure to.make accurate estimates of the cost, but is decidedly
of opinion that the position of the works forming the communi-
cation between the Queen's and Salthouse Docks may be con-
structed at a much less proportionate cost than any similar
works in the port, added to which no river wall, and but little
cleansing will be required.
Messrs. John Stewart and John Wightman, in a letter (dated
3d January) addressed to Mr. Mason, the Secretary, state, that
in looking over the Wapping esitmate, they think the com-
mittee must assume £500,000 as the entire cost, from which is
to be deducted the value of the materials, and the contribution
(if any) made by the Corporation.
Estimate of the Proposed New Works in Wapping.
The probable cost of works, .e 154,386 ; valuation of
land, &c., £500,000, . • • • • • .:€654,386
Deduct—Corporation reversion, .4'63,000 ;—value of
old materials, .t'58,000, . . . • • • ,61.23,000

£531,386
If the above work be not carried out, 2728 Eq. yds. of
frontage will be required in Wapping to admit of rails
being laid, which at £25 per sq. yd. would be . . £68,200

~f 463,186
Assuming the above estimate, the work may be esti-
mated as follows : Wapping Dock (area of water) 5 acres
0235 yds. • Basin, 1 acre 1671 yds. ; Salthouse, 1 acre
3412 yds acres 0478 yds., at £57;192 per acre, . £463,186
Lineal yards of Quay. Wapping Dock, 650 i Basin,
308; SalthOuse Dk. 55,-1013 at £457, ss. per hn. yd. £463,186

Without the deduction for railway, the estimate will
be as follows':—Wapping Dock, (area of water) 5 acres
0235 yds. ; Basin, 1 acre 1671 yds. ; Salthouse, 1 acre
3412 ;-8 acres 0478 at £65,613 ss. . . . £531,386
Lineal yards of Quay. Wapping Dock, 650 ; Basin,
308 ; Salthouse Dock, 55,-1013 at £525 Hs. 4d. per li-
neal yard, ..... . . . . £531,386

(Signed) JESSE HARTLEY,
sth Jan., 1846.

Estimate of the probable cost of the proposed new dock in
Nova Scotia, comprising the Manchester. Dock and the New
River Company's Dock, with a connection with George's pas-
tage, and having a large and small gut to the river, will con-
coin
Of water space 3 acres 2864 yards, Quay space 3} ditto,
Lineal quay space 658 yards.
The probable cost of (the works, £69,345; valuation
of the land and building £200,000, . . . . . .t 169,345
(Signed) JESSE HARTLEY,
' 7th Jan., 1846.
Approximation to the Value of the property proposed to
be purchased by the Trustees of the• Liverpool Docks.
Property described on plan included between Canning-
place and Queen's Dock, say £600,000.
The entire • quantity of land, including not only the pro-
perty destroyed, but the existing streets, and roads, is
about 9000 square yards.
Property on Nova Scotia, including the Manchester Old
Quay Company's dock and premises, say .e 200,000.
The entire quantity, including streets and roads, is about
36,500 square yards.
Land east side of Sefton-street, say £7o,ooo—appears by the
plan to be about 27,400 square yards.
(Signed) JOHN STEWART.
JOHN WEIGHTMAN.
'Liverpool, Dec. 31, 1845.
Mr. BRAMLEY MooRE rose to move the confirma-
tion of the proceedings of the Dock Committee. He con.
fessed, he said, that he approached those proceedings with
considerable diffidence, lest there should be a failure on
his part in making out a case of the necessity for the pro-
posed improvements, though if it should be so it would not
be for want of materials, but from pure inability on his part
to do justice to the subject. That the plans which had been
laid upon the table and submitted to the approbation of
the Council, were admirable, no one would dispute; and
as to the advantages to be derived from them, if carried
into execution, he also thought there would be no dispute.
These plans occupied the broken link which had hitherto
existed in our line of docks, and made them into one con-
tinuous chain, so that, if they were carried, vessels would
be able to pass through the docks, from end to end, with-
out being obliged to go into the river. This was an ad-
vantage sufficient of itself to recommend, the plan to
favourable consideration. Every shipo miler would agree
with him, that if it could be obtained, the cost not proving

too great, such a facility was most desirable, for it only
very recently happened that a ship, in passing into the
river, from one dock into another, capsized, and suffered
considerable damage. Not only, therefore, was it with
a view to the extension of the docks themselves, and
to afford greater accommodation and facilities to the
trade of the port, that these plans were proposed ; but
also with the view of affording greater security to the
shipping.—(Hear, bear.) He would just premise that
now was the time when these improvements and extensions
must be carried out—now or never—inasmuch as the
land on the east side of King's Dock had been purchased
by the Grand Junction Railway ; and if this opportunity
were lost, and the time allowed to pass away till that
company should have erected expensive buildings there.
it would then be altogether impracticable to carry out the
proposed improvements. (Cheers.) He should say very
little about the plans themselves, because they carried
conviction to every mind from their simplicity, their uti-
lity, and their general convenience to the port; therefore,
he should first direct his attention to making out a case of
the necessity of further dock accommodation, after taking
into account the large amount of works now in progress.
He hoped to be able to accomplish this task to the satisfac-
tion of the Council. The next proposition he proposed to
show was, that they were warranted in undertaking new
works by the position of the dock revenue, and by the
probable increase of the trade of the port ; and in doing
so, he should endeavour to confine himself to the past,
appealing to undeniable facts, and as regarded the future,
to take such a moderate view of matters, that no one
would, as he thought, presume to deny the probability of
what might be expected. (Hear, hear.) It would be
difficult, indeed, and he thought the Council would agree
with him, after they had heard his statement, to say
where the trade of this port would finish, and where and
when they must stop in meeting the demands of the port
for increased dock accommodation. (Hear.) Hitherto
we had always been in arrear (hear, hear), and by the
time the new works now in progress should be completed,
we should still be in arrear ; and therefore he held it to be
their duty to provide accommodation as rapidly as they
could for the wants of the future. He knew it had been
stated in that Council and elsewhere, that the Albert
Dock was more than sufficient to meet all the wants of the
port; but he should be able to prove most clearly that
this allegation was not the case,—nay, more, that all the
new docks to the north, and the additional dock to the
south, would be inadequate to meet the demands of the
port at no very distant day. (Hear, hear.) It had also
been repeatedly stated in that Council, that the trade of the
port was rather more likely to be a declining trade
than an increasing trade, more especially as regarded one
branch which he should have occasion to bring under the
notice of the Council in his subsequent remarks, and
that was the timber trade. (Hear, hear.) Having
thus in these preliminary remarks drawn attention to
the advantages to be derived from the continuous com-
munication of the docks from one end to the other, he
wculd now at once shew that some increase of dock ac-
commodation wouldibe necessary. In order to do this he
must crave their indulgence, as he should have to trespass
upon their time rather low,er than usual, but, as this
was a matter of very great importance to the town of
Liverpool, he should be excused, he was sure. He wish-
ed to shew that in undertaking, as the Dock Committee
had, to recommend this scheme to the Council, they had
not done so upon:light grounds, nor without very grave
and mature consideration ; and therefore, in order that
the Council might estimate properly the increase in the
trade of the port, he would give some statements in the
first instance as to the increase of trade in other places.
(Hear.) He would first take the port of Hull, because
attention had been particularly directed to that port, and
because it had been stated not only in this town but in
other towns, that the port of Hull was taking away a great
part of our commerce, particularly the salt trade. (Hear,
hear:) He looked upon these statements as altogether
visionary, more especially when the railway which was
shortly expected to run through the district called the
Wyches, would enable parties to bring salt down to Li-
verpool, and at once put it on board the exporting ship,
without the delay now caused by taking it out of the flat
which brought it, and then on board the ship. (Cheers.)
A MEMBER asked, what railway was here meant ?
Mr. BRAMLEY MOORE replied, it was a projected line,
running through the salt districts in Cheshire, which, by
communication with other lines, would enable the wag-
gons to come right upon the dock quays. He would now
state the tonnage of Hull :
Year. Tons. I Year. Tons.
1838. 503,000 I 1842

1839.
--
1840......

, I
1841 .... 660,000 1845 ....710,000
It would be perceived fro this statement that the in-
crease in the last two years in the port of Hull had been
only about 80,000 tons, a circumstance to which be par-
ticularly called attention ; because there were at Hull
new works in the course of construction upon rather an
expensive scale, and of some magnitude, in anticipation
of an increase of trade, and the want of dock accommo-
dation. He, therefore, begged the Council particularly
to notice that the increase there had been 85,000 tons
only. (Hear, hear.) He regretted exceedingly having
been disappointed in obtaining returns from the port of
Bristol ; but he could state so far that, if he had them,
they would be very much to the same purpose. Having
done this, he would now take the Council to the port of
London. The following was the tonnage which had passed
through the several docks in the year ending 31st De-
cember, 1845 :

Tons.
East and West India D0ck5............ 333,503
St. Katherine's Dock. . . 157,191
London Docks . 273,795

. 764,4E9

.This statement, compared with that for the year 1843,
two years ago, showed an increase of 154,378 tons, which
was the amount of the total increase of the East and
West India Docks, the London Docks, and the St. Ka-
therine's. This was the increase for two years, let it be
remembered. lie had to request the members of the
Council to bear this statement in mind, because, in order
to show them the improvement of the trade here, and its
rapid increase, he proposed in the next place to give the
port of Liverpool ; and he had to state, and he did so with
feelings of peculiar pleasure and pride, that as far as re-
garded increase, the port of Liverpool eclipsed the whole
of them. (Applause.) He should state a fact altogether
unprecedented in the annals of the country as connected
with the increase of towns. Surprise had been expressed
by members of the Council when they talked of an in-
crease of 100,000 tons ; but he did not now compute its
increase by one hundred thousand but by hundreds of
thousands. In the annual statement of the Dock Com-
mittee ending June 24, 1845, the financial year, the in-
crease was there reported to be 383,819 tons over the
preceding year. (Hear.) But the six months from June
up to the 31st December last exceeded that, or that of
any former period, inasmuch as it showed an increase of
no less than 600 vessels and of 209,409 tons. (Great ap-
plause.) If this were taken and added to the previous in-
crease it.would be perceived that in about two years the
increase of the port of Liverpool. in point of tonnage, ex-
ceeded that of the entire of the London Docks. (Hear,
hear.) It exceeded the entire trade that passed through
the East and West India, the St. Katherine, and the
London Docks, although those docks had all the advan-
tages of 'flaying warehouses round them. (Hear.) Con-
nected with this subject he begged at the same time to
mention that the increase in money during the last six
months over the corresponding six months of the previous
year, amounted to £X6,076 17s. 9d—from June to De-
cember; a startling fact when he reminded the Council
that the rates had been decreased.

Mr. RATUBONE here asked for the exact figures, and
they were mentioned again.
Mr. BRAMLEY MOORE, in continuation, said, in order
that this increase might be properly appreciated he must
remind the Council that it embraced a period when the
dock dues had been lowered upon all distant voyages,
such as China, the East Indies, and South America,
from 2s. 3d per ton to ls. Gd. This fact should be born
in mind, because 9J. per ton was a very large reduction.
(Hear.) These figures he thought bad shown that Liver-
pool was progressing in a ratio beyond that of any other
port in the kingdom, and that what he bad stated would
alone be sufficient to induce the Council to sanction the
plans he had the honour to submit on behalf of the Dock
Committee. (Hear.) What was there indeed to put
limits on the progress of the port of Liverpool ? When
we considered that the China trade was but in its infancy
—that we had there but just opened a new commercial
world where there were 300 millions of inhabitants, that
the East India trade was very much upon the increase,
and that the western trade belonged peculiarly to Liver-
pool—and when, he added, these two last trades in par-
ticular had increased more than ever—these circumstances
alone were a sufficient answer to the allegation of no fur-
ther dock accommodation being required. (Hear.) There
bad been in every department of trade from different
parts of the world an increase in the tonnage, with the
exception of the Brazils, the West Indies, and the Gulf of
Mexico, the decrease in which was of so very trifling a
_nature as not to be worth mentioning, But he would
more especially cal attention to the East India and
China trade and the trade with the Western World, which
he must say belonged exclusively to the port of Liverpool
—and which could never be taken from us unless our
channels were filled up. The increase in the East
India tonnage had been twenty per cent ; on the United
States and Western trade it was about 30 per cent ; and
the fact of these two particular branches having increased
more than any other, was deserving of particular notice.
He might add to this, and say, that as we give increased
accommodation so we should draw trade to the port.
(Hear, hear.) Suppose at no distant period, which he
dared say would be the case, we should have a modified
tariff of duties upon Coffee, Sugar, and other foreign pro-
ductions at present excluded by the very high tariff upon
them ; when these euties were reduced, it was not in the
power of man to divine what dock accommodation would
be required in a port like Liverpool. He was aware
it was said that so large a portion of our trade came from
the western world, in ease of a war we should lose a great
portion of it; but war in his opinion would be the means
of increasing it, because Liverpool would then become the
port of England. It would be the only safe and approch.
able port in the event of war; for, in consequence of the
introduction of steam in warfare, vessels would be able to
come under protection all the way to Liverpool, when
they would never think at all of venturing down the chan-
nel. So far then as the advantages of increased accommo-
dation went, he thought he bad stated sufficient on that
head. There was one branch of trade to which he would
now call particular attention, having already referred to
it, and that was the timber trade. It bad been stated in
that Council, that the timber trade 'was a declining trade
in the town of Liverpool. It had also been stated by a
member of that Council before the House of Lords, that
this trade was supposed to have seen its maximum in
Liverpool, and that it could not be an increasing trade.
He need Only state one fact connected with the timber
trade to tibew its importance generally to the country—
namely, that there were more artificers of eighteen years
of age employed in the timber trade than in any single