The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-04-06 00:00:00

THE OPENING OF THE DOCK

The whole vicinity of the docks presented a most animated
and delightful appearance. The shores were densely crowded
with an eager and expectant multitude, A detachment of the
foot artillery, with four pieces of ordnance, were stationed at
the north side of the docks, and their energy and industry in
firing salutes were truly admirable. A large body of the Grand.
United Order of Odd Fellows, in full costume, and decorated
with all the insignia of their order, were drawn up in ranks on
the pier. The platform was crowded with a numerous and
elegant assemblage of spectators, and two excellent bands of
music added still more life to the exciting scene. by performing
some national and patriotic airs in a highly creditable manner.
The steam having been got up, the Lord Warden got under
weigh. and proceeded down past the new docks, as far as the
Seacombe slip. and from thence to the Liverpool side of the
river, steaming past the Prince's Dock, George's Pierhead, the
Albert dock warehouses, and across to Woodside. She slowly
entered the new dock by the Woodside Basin, or beaching,
ground, amidst the firing of artillery and the enthusiastic cheer-
ing of the multitude, crowding together at every available
point of sight, and proceeded slowly through the first and
into the inner Dock, immediately apposite to the platform,
and gallery, upon which were assembled some Thousands of
fashionably dressed ladies and gehtlemen, where the company
disembarked. Lord Morpeth was escorted on shore by Mr. John
Laird, followed by the remainder of the distinguished guests,
two and two, and walked to the warehouses, their procession
to which was hailed with the plaudits of the delighted specu-
lators, the booming of cannon, and the martial strains of the
celebrated band of the First Royals, from Chester. Notwith-
standing the strong breeze which was blowing from the north-

west, the day was favourable for the auspicious event,
until just as the company were retiring from the de jeuner for the
Park, when there was a heavy dorm of rain of some 20 minutes
duration, which unfortunately had the effect of marring some-
what the out-door amusements. Although the numbers

assembled upon this occasion were exceeding great, covering
for the most part the entire margin of the Docks, yet we should

the visitors to Birkenhead lesi numerous, than upon the oc.
casion of the laying of the foundationstone, in October, 1844.

AND BIRKENHEAD EXTENSION

It will, doubtless, be in the recollection of our numerous
readers, that at the time when it was proposed to form docks
at Birkenhead, it was also suggested that a branch line be
added to the Chester and Birkenhead railway, running to the
quays and warehouses. This plan has since been carried out,
_
tension line, which joins the trunk
mite beyond the station, and is in-
Is from the ships' side, direct

the formatia

line about a quart(
tended for the conveyance of g

D its dentin

The project had received much discouragement from sci-
entific persons and others ; nevertheless, the spirited directors
xilway were not daunted, being satisfied of the practi-
the value of their scheme. They proceeded
I have at last brought to a successful com-

Lay for the opening
) (10 so about half-tu

train

p.m. With the
half-past two, there can

rrived from Cf

train of waggo]

cied to tt

station,'lthe Zillah

ngine w'as placed behind the waggons, and driving them he
ore it, proceeded at a rapid rate through the various cutting
.nd embankments, till, arriving within a hundred yards of th
liatform erected at the west end of the dock, the engin
topped, and the waggons proceeded onward till they cam

opposite the Lorti Wa‘riien, into which steamer they

John Wakefield,-superintend:

neer, Jeffrey's, sUperintendent engineer of the Shrewsbi
and Chester line, Henry Watson, Thomas Truss, engine
John Roberts, one of the managers, John Barnett, super
tendent of works, and Scales, superintendent of the build

department. The trip was most satisfactory to all parties, and
too much praise cannot be bestowed on Mr. Roberts for his
ability and skill, he having had the management of the whole
affair.

Upon the return of the engine to the station, the company
regaled themselves at the Birkenhead Hotel upon the substan-
tials of the season, and after a short time separated, extremely
well pleased with their day's work.

The coals, it isys7oiiiiy7if IneniiOuing, were dug out of the pit
belonging to Messrs. Gomer, Roberfs and Co., Plas Madoc Col-
liery, Rhuabon, at ten o'clock in the morning; put into the
waggons at half-past twelve, sent to Chester, arrived at Birken-
head at half-past two, and shipped on board the steamer for
whose use they were intended.

Under the 'able management of Messrs. Williams, Aykroyd
and Co., the line has been completed within three months, not-