The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-02-23 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL. STANDARD.

INCREASE OF THE TIMBER TRADE OF
LIVERPOOL, AND NECESSITY OF FURTHER
ACCOMMODATION.

We lately furnished some statements respecting the
increased timber trade of this port, and.having now before
us two annual circulars, from highly-respectable firms,
(which, we doubt not, from their accordance, express the
general opinions, as well as calculations, of their brethren
in the trade,) we revert to the subject, which is become
one of great importance. We are further induced to do
so, from having possessed 'ourselves of some other in-
teresting particulars relative to the docks appropriated to
the reception of timber,—showipg. that, even with the
improved management, " the cry is still for room."
The circulars alluded to contain general observations on
the state of the timber trade, from the February, 1846,
to Ist February, 1847, with valuable statistics, into which
last we can but slightly enter. The first we shall notice
is by Messrs. Chaloner and Fleming; who do no business
on their own account. They state, "We have to record
the largest amount of tonnage ever employed in one year,
the total quantity arrived from British America and the
North of Europe amounting to 598,vessels, 279,561 tons,
exceeding last year by 32 vessels,. 5915• tons, and on an
average of the five years previous (including last year) by
215 vessels, 91,908 tons. A large portion of the tonnage
was occupied in carrying railroad sleepers, comparatively
a new feature, and one likely, for at least several years,
to demand a large amount of tonnage for itself.* Still
the supply of square fire timber is fully more than an
average.' . _

After relating some circumstances respecting the trade,
(not here relevant), the writers state, at considerable
length, that the year's operations again forcibly call at-
tention to the want of accommodation for the trade, which
must ultimately, if not remedied, " end in an emigration
from its present locality, or a serious diminution of its
extent." They add that the expenses are now great, and
that future prospects depend upon increased accommoda-
tion and that if, "as in London and the Clyde, water space
for floating square timber be provided, a large increase
may be looked for, with diminished expenses, and in-
creased satisfaction." They urge additional facilities for
transit, and cheaper local expenses,—the rents having
" largely increased, so that timber is now held at much
greater cost than formerly."
The remedy for the grievances stated,—and which are
not to be attributed to the Dock Committee, who have
done their best within the space they could appropriate
to this trade, but to the want of room in the present lo-
cality,—will, we believe, be ultimately found in its re-
moval to the north end of the town, leaving the present
timber docks for the increasing dry-good vessels frequent-
ing the port, and this is in contemplation north of the
docks now under construction, and with a floating space
to extend into Bootle Bay up to, or towards, the Land
Marks. This, or some other plan, ought to be set about
without delay. _ _

It appears, from the authority quoted, which gives the
imports of timber from British America and the Baltic
for the last twelve years, that the increase from those
quarters within the last three years, and especially the
last two, has been very great. We need but quote the
last four years, in illustration

British American. Baltic.
tonnage. tonnage.
1844
1845
1846..
1847...._. 245,799
The other circular referred to is that of Messrs. Dun-
can and Ewing, and they nearly agree with the foregoing.
They state that the Consumption of timber over that of
the previous year was 428,000 feet, and that exclusive of
10,000 tons of railway sleepers; the tonnage employed of
the past year amounts to 244,900 tons.
Great improvements, we believe, have recently taken
place in Atte working of the present timber docks, and
great atlional accommodation has been the consequence;
but all not yet enough, though the want will not be felt
for several months, February being considered the close of
the season of general importation. The gross tonnage of
the whole trade for the past year, in the three docks ap-
propriated to it—the Queen's, the Brunswick, and the
Toxteth—was 278,720 tons. Of this no less than 184,304
tons of shipping were discharged on the east side of the
Brunswick Dock, or above three-fourths of the whole ;
the ships were in number 330, and in average burthen 560
tons. If, as it may be assumed, the average number of
the vessels carried one-fourth more than their registered
tonnage, there were landed from them on the east quay
only of that dock, 230,380 tons of timber. The new re-
gulations for this quay, suggested, we believe, and most
ably carried out by the superintendent, appear to be very
effective. The timber being well arranged in parallel
lines, and the spaces, or areas, (running eastward) for its
temporary reception, for respective vessels, being distinctly
marked out—every ten yards,—and any infringements of
the rules are visited by penalties. The trade are favour-
able Co these arrangements, and find advantage in them.
We are not provided with statistics, as yet, of the opera-
tions on the west side of the dock, but believe that the
business accomplished is proportionate, considering its
great disadvantage (being to the shore side) in regard to
cartage. The average tonnage of the largest vessels now
in the trade is about 800 tons each. The whole of the
ships employed are of about two-thirds the tonnage, of
all the ships belonging to the port, or, in other words,
" hailing' from Liverpool,—that is exclusive of Ameri-
can, and all other foreign vessels.
With these facts before us, we concur with the writers
of the first circular referred to, that in consequence of the
space for the deposit of timber becoming more contracted
every year in the locality now allotted for it, the subject
now demands the serious and prompt attention of the
authorities, whose duty it is to supply accommodation for
a trade of such magnitude." We cannot doubt but that
the Dock Committee will take the earliest possible means
to furnish the required accommodation, (which would be
a benefit to the public, as well as to the trade,) but some
years will be required to complete sufficient dock room,
with a large floating space inland, for the vast quantity of
timber imported into Liverpool, and which besides sup-
plying our own county finds its way, by canal, &c., even
to Birmingham and to Yorkshire.

* These sleepers are of pine, and pf much greater thickness
then those generally obtained in this country. A large quan-
tity of them are now on the Brunswick Dock Quay.

THE WATER INQUIRY.

We found it impossible last week to report the close of
the proceedings on this important investigation, the Com-
missioners having sat to an hour on Monday evening too
closely approaching to our time of publication to enable
us to do so. We now, therefore, briefly sum up the
sequel.
Mr. RAwLINsoN put in a statement of particulars of
his proposed aqueduct (for the supply of the town) from
the River Dee ; a map of the district from which the water
was proposed to be derived : and an estimate of the cost.
The area to be drained by the Dee (or added to it), ac-
cording to this plan, was about 289 square miles, or
184,960 acres, above the commencement of the proposed
aqueduct. Another district was also to be drained into
the river, which would thus secure its minimum flow.
There were no engineering difficulties of moment. The
length of aqueduct was 64 miles. The total cost, accord-
ing to the estimate, was £594,870. The plan would
supply sixty millions of gallons per day, continuously,—
the river being kept up by compensating reservoirs.
A long conversation ensued relative to alterations in
Mr. Rawlinson's plan, and the difficulty and cost of
crossing two valleys.
Mr. HAwicEsLEy estimated the total cost at £BOO,OOO.
Mr. PAGE asked the Town-clerk for Mr. Gossage's
plan and sections.

Mr. SuurrLEworcrn said they had all been returned
to that gentleman at his own request.
The TOWN-CLERK then briefly addressed the court,
and the inquiry terminated.