The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-11-26 00:00:00

onomical and ad-

invited to take the
raving declined-to do so. Mr. Gage had
,n the me... __al his' place, with his plans, at the table.
The CIIAIItMAN briefly introduced the subject to the
meeting observing that the Shipmasters' Association deemed
it a privilege that Mr. Gage had so readily consented to come
forward and explain his views.

nifable land of a

number of

.nd others interested in the

• n invited to attend for

meeting the plans which he

Rowett, Esq.

chair, Mr. Chapman
time tai

Mr. GAGE proceeded to explain his views to the assembly.
As Mr. Gage's discourse was principally a commentary on
the plans which he introduced to notice, it will be difficult to
give a clear or comprehensive view of his meaning. The
plans, which may he called the illustrations of his address,
which was necessarily very desultory, are wanting to its per-
fect illustration.

The first document introduced was an ingeniously-
constructed diagram' exhibiting, by means of fluxilineal
curves, a view of the proportionate progressive increase of
tonnage in Liverpool and London. This showed the actual
amount of extraordinary increase, and the extraordinary
ratio of increase at certain periods. The lines in this diagram
show that London started above Liverpool in its tonnage,
and that for a number of years their increase was nearly pa-
rallel—say from 1700 to 1780; from- 1790 to 1800 a conside-
rable rise is perceptible ; but from 1800 and upwards the
curvature is of a different character altogother, the frequent
abrupt tendencies upward being most remarkable, till within
close upon the present period, when the line of Liverpool is
still rising, while that of London is falling. Mr. Gage said
he introduced this diagram for the purpose of showing the
necessity of providing for the future. They might naturally
look forward to an increase of tonnage in the same ratio as
formerly, and if it did come, what was to become of their
trade? It was the necessities of this, and the difficulties
which presented themselves, which caused him to investigate
the subject. On glancing at the docks he observed, as any
person might observe, that they were extended over a very
wide space ; that they were in fact scattered. This had, no
doubt, arisen from their having been formed as they were
wanted. The time had come, however, when there was an
absolute necessity for the general design, some design
whereby the space at command should be laid out to the very
best advantage. Some of the gentlemen to whom he had
sub,itted these designs had acknowledged that they were
good, but said, " The time is gone by—the die is cast—the
docks are made, and we cannot alter them." In reply to
this, he (Mr. Gage) said, "If your hands are tied up as re-
gards the past, why dont you begin when you can ?" (Hear.)
It was proper for those who had the power to adopt the plans
which would give the greatest quantity of loading and dis-
charging room. As he did not wish to rest on mere opi-
nions, he had taken surveys at given periods, which he would
now submit.

a sheet containing plans of the
Prince's, Victoria, and Waterloo Docks, with the positions,
&c. of the vessels actually in them on the 28th of May, 1840.
The vessels which were on that day in such positions that the
business of discharging and loading could not go on, were
coloured grey ; those which were idle were coloured brown.
By far the larger proportion of vessels were shown to have
been idle. •

now op

Mr. GAGE next unfolded a sheet containing representa-
tions of the King's, Queen's, and various other docks, with
the vessels at work and those idle represented in like man-
ner. He observed that many gentlemen present had proba-
bly observed in his pamphlet an assertion that the King's
Dock was the worst constructed dock in Liverpool, but that
the new dock, projected according to Mr. Hartley's plan,
would be worse than the King's Dock. The fault in the
King's Dock was that it had too much width. Mr. Gage
here referred to the representations of the King's Dock, with
the position of the vessels therein on a given day, and showed
not only the number unemployed, but the difficulties which
those employed would, when they had completed their busi-
ness, have in getting out through the great crowd of ship-
ping, clear of the dock. With the intended dock all these
mischiefs would be infinitely increased, not merely on ac-
count of its shape, but of sundry other errors in its construc-
tion. This would be a central dock, and they were assured
that the central docks were all full while the others were com-
paratively empty. This was because of the proximity of the
central docks to the warehouses. Now, if the projected
dock were built in that shape, and were kept constantly full,
as they were assured it would be, it would follow that two-
thirds of the vessels in it would be constantly idle. This it
was plain would be a loss in exactly the same ratio to the
community. He had brought forward these statements,
however, simply to prove that the existing plan was not good
for the despatch of business.

Mr. GAGE next produced a sheet containing Mr. Hart-
_ an, with the Salthouse, Canning, and Graving Docks,
and a plan of his own. Both occupied the same space, laid
nut in different ways, the different results arising entirely
from the different arrangements. In Mr. Hartley's dock
Mr. Gage showed all the vessels which were, on the 28th
May, 1840, in the Prince's, and showed the number which
would be idle. He said there was an objection alone which,
in the opinion of all nautical men and those connected with
the dock affairs, was fatal. This was that, for the Canning,
Salthouse, and the New Dock, there was to the basin but
one entrance. Taking the largest of the vessels in the dock
in his compasses, he showed that if such a vessel was enter-
ing the New Dock, she would, when brought round and
hauling in, completely for the time being, block up the en-
trance and exit for all other vessels to and from the other
two dock-

Mr. Gage proceeded to point out other incon-
veniences, and to allude to the expense of constructing new
docks for the Graving'Docks. He also submitted another
plan in which the space was laid out in a different way. The
principal features in Mr. Gage's plan may be briefly stated
to be, first, the economising of the outward quay space, and
next, the projection of piers or jetties, so as to increase con-
siderably the line or quay space. These jetties are very in-
geniously disposed. In the plan last alluded to Mr. Gage
stated that he had acquired an increase of one acre and three
quarters of water, 926 yards or 63 per cent. lineal quay space,
and a considerable quantity of increased warehouse room.
The Dock Committee, Mr. GAGE said, had these plans
before them, and the objection which they. made was, that
they both included the Salthouse Dock, which they were de-
termined to keep. He was therefore requested to draw a
plan confining himself to the space intended for the new dock.
Mr. JOSEPH 13noolcs YATES here asked Mr. Gage if the
plans had been seen by the Dock Committee before they
applied to parliament. "
Mr. GAGE said, he showed his plans to Mr. Hartley; by
desire of Mr. Evans, before the bill was applied for. Mr.
Evans observed to him, that he would get plenty of support-
ers, if it were merely to oppose his (Mr. Evans) views re-
specting dock warehouses. Mr. Gage disavowed any hos-
tility to the measure for building dock warehouses. He
proceeded to say that he followed the instructions of the
Dock Committee, and produced a plan in which he gained
740 yards, or 88 per cent. of lineal quay room, 11 acres of
water, and much additional warehouse room. Mr. Gage
exhibited the plan. The entrance to the dock was in front,
and independent of the basin, and the jetties ran down the
centre, so as to admit of the ship being easily berthed, and of
the goods being quickly carted off. The committee said this
was a good dock, but not having a lock was fatal to it. He
replied that they had not in other cases, when they had en-
trusted a great amount of valuable property, thought a lock
necessary. They entrusted even their steamers without a
lock, to a dock where the stream was more powerful than at
the portion of the river now in question. However, he
showed them that his principle would admit of a lock, and he
accordingly drew two other plans with locks. Mr. Gage
exhibited the first of these plans and pointed out its advan-
tages. He then showed the second, which he preferred.
The jetties in this formed a horse-shoe basin. In this he
said there was a great facility of moving vessels.
Two of the Dock-masters were present, and made frequent
observations. One of them appeared favourable to Mr.
Gage's plans ; the other opposed. The latter now took ob-
jection to the etrved wall, which be said would be inconve-
nient, and would throw ships not having quay berths to too
great a distance. Mr. GAGE said the curve would be so
alight as scarcely to be perceptible.
Mr. YATES said, if a vessel could land her goods as a se-
cond and third vessel from the quay, she could land them at
a curved wall.

tained for tl-i-e;;-1;;ty-of ve

Mr. Ch AvmAN observed, that the former acts were ob-
_.,els, as well as for the facilities of
was obtained with a view to the des-
They had water space—what they wanted

was quay room
Mr. 11

s said Mr. G

age's plans gave both water space

y room

Mr. CH APMAN alluded to the circuitous line of the pro-
posed warehouses on the west side of the intended dock. The
committee were _tied not to build on the opposite side for
some years to come. Hence it was impossible to get an en-
trance to the Mersey. He showed the danger of such a con-
tinued unbroken line in case of tire, and the advantage of
taking a portion of the buildings from the middle thereof and
putting it at the north-west angle.
Mr. Gans: next produced a plan which he said he deemed
the most desirable of the whole. He had in this treated the
whole space between the Duke's Dock and George's Dock
basin as if it were blank, with the exception of the baths,
which were not to be touched. Mr. Gage showed the vast
quantity of space wasted, or covered with buildings, ware-
houses and quays, of comparatively little public use. He
wished to direct attention to the result of his mode of arrang-
ing this space, which afforded more landing and discharging
room than all the docks put together. He was not astonished
at persOns being sceptical on this point. All the vessels in-
troduced into the plan were taken from actual survey, and he
could give any person who desired it the name and position
of each when the survey was taken. It is impossible by any
mere description to convey a notion of this plan. The docks,
however. we may observe, are packed as it were side by side,
with the requisite quay space between each, their ends being
placed towards the river, with the requisite openings at con-
venient points. They all open into each other, but of the
numerous conveniences and niceties of arrangement we can
give no notion. Mr. Gage observed that her Majesty's ship
Trafalgar could traverse all the docks.
Mr. Gage, in conclusion, said, having shown clearly that
the space could be had, the question was, would it be wanted ?
He thought he had shown that clearly enough by his fluxi-
lineal curves. Mr. Gage proceeded to show that iu his
views the space would be wanted almost immediately. He
thought we ought not to give way to the croaking cry that
Liverpool had obtained her maximum and would go down,
for some people did not hesitate to say so : but it was an idea
which lie would not for a moment countenance. (Cheers.)
With all the facilities which had been introduced of late
years of steam and other advantages, were they to expect Li-
verpool to stand still? It was plain that the progress was
onward, and such being the case it was their duty to provide
for future exigencies.
The CHAIRMAN reminded the meeting that Mr: Hartley
was invited to be present at that meeting. He would not
judge or condemn Mr. Hartley unheard, and perhaps he
could yet give them an exposition of his views.
Mr. GAGE said he should be extremely happy to meet Mr.
Hartley in discussion on the subject.
One of the dock masters observed that Mr. Gage's plan
did not contain any graving docks.
Mr. GAGE said he was drawing a plan with graving docks.
Mr. YATES observed that the carpenters were so far re-
moved from this vicinity that the question of graving docks
here required consideration. _ . _

.
A memorial was read" by the Secretary of the Shipmasters'
Association. It was addressed to the Dock Committee. After
pointing out the views of the Association touching the several
plans submitted by Mr. Gage, it goes to ask the committee
to refer all those plans to the judgment of some supeKior
engineer. _ -

On the motion of Captain Finlay, seconded by Mr. Charles
Reed, Eso., the memor►al was adopted.

;:i?.1(;:s7c; who described himself as a practical
shipbuilder, who had been an observer of docks from his
childhood, spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Gage's plans,
add Condemned the existing docks and that planned by Mr.
Hartley, as being, exceedingly inconvenient and straggling,
and occupying space most wastefully. The great error, be
said, of having their entrances crossing each other at right
angles, which was visible in the King's Dock, was repeated in
Mr. Hartley's plan.

fMr. ATzs,
' after a few words in favour of the plans of
Mr. Gage, recommended that they should be made public.
Mr. GAGE said he was about to have them printed.
On the motion of Mr. YATES, seconded by Mr. JONES,
the thanks of the meeting were voted to Mr. cage.
Mr. GAGE returned his acknowledgments.
On the Motion of Mr. GAIR, seconded by Mr. YATES,
banks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting broke up.

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