The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-11-14 00:00:00

tiDENTS

our readers with a lithographic engraving of a plan, sive locality for every branch of trade connected
toi
use our in- adopted, with some little alterations in detail, by the with shipping in Great Britain.
to ri
eh he belongs Commissioners of Birkenhead, by whom it is pro- The most important question, however, arising
.ethren
if-holiday. in
We Manchestershall be
posed to form upon the site of Wallasey Pool a wet out of this project, for a Liverpool community to
rward the views of our corres- dock and outer tidal basin extending, from a sea consider, is its probable effect upon property on this
those who have op-
wall to be built across from 'Woodside Ferry to Sea- side of the river. Are we to view the proposed
member of the
combe, as far as Poulton Bridge, and affording a docks in 'Wallasey Pool as rivals to our own docks,
NEWSPAPERS FOR clear water space of no less than one hundred and or only as an adjunct, and a necessary adjunct, to
is of which the
fifty-seven acres. To this scheme the assent, and, our property and trade ? Undoubtedly, if we were
The proprietor of the groceryrespectfully to we are told indeed, the strongest assurances of sup- to place unbounded confidence in the flattering cal-
_ _..- ,Aenttemen of t'he neighbourhood
ey can be accommodated, at their residence, with Port, have already been given by the Board of Ad- culations upon the subject, with which Mr. Jackson
he newspapers mentioned on the other miralty, in whom is now vested the conservancy of entertained the commissioners of Birkenhead ;if we
and they will be sold at
their date." We the river; and the requisite plans are preparing for could believe that seven-tenths of the foreign imports
-
informing "the proprietor an immediate, and it is scarcely doubted, a succes- of Liverpool go up the river Mersey to the manufac. at " and other similar
per- ful application to parliament. turing districts, or that five-tenths, or even three-
of an offence against the law
they thus lend out papers at a That this proposed conversion, by our enterprising tenths, are ever likely to do so, without entering the
:ice per hour. We pay the gov- neighbours, of a property so 'co ig kept unproductive docks of Liverpool—we should say that the injury
imp, and in return we have protec-
we can legally punish those persons in the hands of the Corporation of Liverpool, has inflicted, by the proposed scheme, upon those docks
_...- labours and outlay. "The startled our fellow townsmen, we doubt not. The and the property of the town, must be great; and
better let us catch him at this dishon-
can assure him has been carried on magnificence and vast extent of its design—the pro- that it ought to be regarded with jealousy and alarm.
at the expense of newspaper ject of forming at once in one grand scheme, an We cannot, however, entertain the entire truth of
all the merciful toleration
endowed us. area of dock space greater than that which a century these calculations, and we are, therefore, disposed
INT.-It has been suggested to us that of toil and enterprise, and millions of expenditure, to regard the scheme of the commissioners of Bir-
le well to call the attention of the Friends of have been required to obtain on this side of the kenhead as one subsidiary to the growing prosperity
Coat children, for whom the usual sermon is
ched on Sunday next, at St. Peter's Church, Mersey—may well have tempted sober and reflecting and greatness of Liverpool, rather than as a rival
authorities, to the benefit likely to accrue to men to exclaim and injurious project.
..,narity by the Church room not being unduly oc-
mpied, prior to the arrival of the Mayor, and the gentle- " The earth bath bubbles, as the water hath ; And we are justified in arriving at this conclusion.
men who usually accompany him to church on the first And this is of them ! "
after his election. We are credibly informed We have already said that the chief trades likely to
1--
-"ion
of the present Mayor's election, The opponents of dock extension on our own strand be accommodated on the Cheshire side of the river
-onveniently crowded, that many are chuckling in ill-concealed delight, and pointing re the coasting trade and steam vessels. The for-
_ accompanied him could not find sit-
maliciously to warehouse owners and others as the mer pay no dock dues, and the increase of the latter
ing room, and did not attend the service, by which
no doubt many donations were lost. The circumstances authors of this imagined blow to the prosperity of is sufficiently rapid to warrant us in the supposition
which have attended the election of Mayor this year,
may probably cause an unusual number of friends to Liverpool, whilst crotcheteers of every sort point to that we are never likely to have fewer vessels to ac-
accompany him to St. Peters ; and it would be ex- it and mutter " there—we told you it would come commodate on this side of the river than we have at
°mely desirable, and tend materially to advance the to this . you refused to expend your surplus mil- the present moment. A portion of this trade, from
Je sermon, which is to be preached by our '
,ctor, if such visitors could be conveniently lions in our pet warehouses around your quays, and its very nature, we must always have. Again, we
.ccommociated. Of course it would be the last thing in
you are now about to pay the penalty of your folly entertain no fear of any diminution in the number
our thoughts to even suggest a hindrance to parents •
and relatives of these poor orphan children being present and obstinacy !" Timid men who love their " good of vessels loading for, or discharging from, foreign
on such an occasion, naturally anxious as they must be
old , town " which has the misfortune of being ports, whatever may be the amount of facilities af-
for the welfare of those they love ; but to others less in-
terested we would suggest that mere curiosity, and even " built on the wrong side of the river,"* are already forded, or the comparative cheapness, on the Che-
a reasonable degree of interest, ought to give way when gazing, in fancy, upon its grass grown streets, and shire side. To secure a profitable general cargo for
they interfere with the exercise of active benevolence.
deserted Custom House ; whilst another class are any foreign port, the hest paying portion of which
not wanting who resolutely shut their eyes to the consists of fine merchandise and valuable produce,
possibility of injury from any quarter, and sneer and deposited in our warehouses, or arriving by railway
hug themselves, by turns, into a state of thought- or canal, and contributed by, perhaps, forty or fifty
less blessedness, different houses, a vessel can only load advantage-
In none of these moods do we approach the con- ously upon this side of the river; and to discharge
• sideration of a question, the most important which, such a cargo, which has to he distributed through
for half a century, has presented itself as a topic ofl so many channels into the interior, the docks of Li-
local interest. 'We have acknowledged that the verpool must continue to be used. For all foreign
tactics of our Cheshire neighbours—partaking 1 shipping, in fact, containing cargoes which require
somewhat too much of stretegy to be pleasing to 1
classification, and are likely to be taken off by differ-
straightforward men,—have brought before us the ent channels for consumption in the interior, the
subject of docks on the Cheshire shore a little sooner Lancashire side of the river will undoubtedly be
than we anticipated; but from the time that—thanks chosen, notwithstanding any moderate amount of
to INIr. Alderman Evans and his party—we gave up saving in dues from using the docks at Wallasey.
the privileges of Liverpool—the conservancy of the We are not indeed without some hopes that the
river and the right to dues upon both sides—in ex- absorbtion, by these docks, of the most unprofitable
change for the indulgence of their warehouse crot- portion of the shipping, which crowds to inconve-
chets, we have been prepared for its approach. We nience the docks of Liverpool, will be even beneficial,
are ready, therefore, now to discuss it calmly, and / by facilitating the operations both of loading and
we trust to express an honest and a well-matured 1 unloading, and thus attracting business to our port
opinion as to the probable effects of this scheme which is occasionally driven from it by the delays
upon the interests of the community on both sides I which are constantly occurring. We shall have also,
of the river. on the other side of the river, a constant depot of
In another part of our paper we have given a full heavy freight—coals, slates, salt, &c.,—to be re-
description of the details of the plan adopted, and sorted to at an hour's notice, with ample room in
which we this day present to our readers. With a our cleared docks for bringing it alongside whenever
few alterations, it is that proposed in 1837, and wanted, instead of, as at present, seeing vessels
made public, by the late Wm. Laird, Esq. ; and requiring immediate despatch compelled to wait, for
therefore, if the Dock Estate be injured by its being days, the arrival of such freight and the necessary
carried out, we have at least no right to complain accommodation for taking it on board.
that we are taken by surprise as to the capabilities of Upon the ground, therefore, of any supposed
the locality. It consists, in brief, of an outer tidal injury to be inflicted upon the Dock Estate
basin, with an area of 37 acres of water space, and by this project, we can discern little reason for
an inner dock, extending up the pool to Poulton, jealousy, or fear, on our part; and still less for
containing an area of 120 acres. The disposal of any opposition on the part of the Dock Trustees.
the adjoining land, and the erection of ship-builders' It may indeed drive these authorities a little earlier
yards, graving-docks, warehouses, &c., are left to I than they would willingly be driven, to consider
private enterprise. From the profit to arise from the propriety of a revision of our present high
the sale of this land, it is anticipated—too san- scale of dock rates ; but to us such a result
guinely we fear—that the total cost of the formation will not be one at all to be grieved over. A con-
of the main works will be furnished; and that ulti- sideration for the prosperity of the port has long re-
mately the whole will be thrown open to the corn- quired such a measure; and although an immediate
merce of the river, free of any dock rates, except resort to it may peril the magnificent warehouse
such as may be absolutely necessary to defray the schemes of some gentlemen, we would not have it
retarded on the ground of any benefit promised us
by the promoters of such schemes. If additional
warehouses upon our quays are to be of advantage
to us, they will pay of themselves, without trenching
upon the surplus revenue of the Dock Estate. At
all events their construction ought not to be allowed
to interfere with the utmost practicable measure of
reduction of the general rates of the port.
It may be, too, that the immediate prospect of
increased dock accommodation on the Cheshire side
of the river may cast a new light upon the subject
of the recent purchases of land on the north and
south of the existing docks of Liverpool. 'We have
little idea, however, that it can militate materially
against the propreity of these purchases. The
trade of the port is advancing in a ratio quite suffi-
cient of itself to warrant the steps already taken to
provide for it ; and the proposed Cheshire docks
can only tend to give an additional and, we may
add, an almost incalculable impetus to that increase.
Another question may suggest itself, with respect to
to the probable effect upon the navigation of the
river of a sea wall being erected at the mouth of the
Wallasey Pool. To this, however, a very brief an-
swer will suffice. The fact of the cordial concur-
rence of the Admiralty, as conservators, proves that
no fear is entertained by them on the subject; and
by very competent local authorities, whom we have
consulted upon this point, we find a very general
impression entertained that such a wall will have the
effect of clearing the banks at the mouth of the river,
and removing in part the tendency of the present
wash of the tide to create deposits on the Liverpool
strand. In particular it is expected that such a
wall will tend to throw the current of the flow tide
right on Pluckington Bank, and probably in time
have the effect of removing entirely that dangerous
and growing obstruction of the river.
A few words, in conclusion, with respect to the
advantages to be derived by the people of Cheshire
themselves from the successful carrying out of this
project. We have no space, and indeed scarcely
data at present, for inquiry into the probability of
its attainment at the cost which is contemplated.
Should that cost, however, be doubled. we can see
nothing but benefit to arise to the enterprising com-
munity on the opposite side of the river, from the
great increase which must be given to all property
in the neighbourhood, a considerable portion of
which, it must be remembered, still belongs to the
Corporation of Liverpool, and may be sold, no
doubt, at largely increased prices, whenever the
Finance Committee may decide upon the step. In-
dividuals of an over speculative turn may be in-
juriously deceived in their anticipations of advan-
tage. The mass, however, must be benefitted ; and
at such a consummation why should we repine ?
Although a trifling water space divides us from the
people of Cheshire, we are one community, engaged
in common pursuits and with common and mutual
interests. Our noble river is Liverpool, as it is
Birkenhead • and if the trade of that river can by
any honest effort be fostered and extended, we shall
all ultimately share in the benefit. Birkenhead can
never be Liverpool; and Liverpool, with a prospect
of the resources and natural advantages of her
neighbour being fully developed, bids, at this mo-
ment, more fair than at any previous period of her
history, to be ranked as the leading port of the em-
pire, and, indeed, of the world.

among

LEGALLITY OF I

ato our han

d day of

must tak

on every occasion tha

r our s

;rade upon of

roprietor

ture has

and of t

at, on the oc

the church was
3f the friends v

object of t

worthy

Ebe Ribenaoot rt.tanbarrl.

TUESDAY MO ING, NOV. 14, 1843

The past has been, indeed, a week of wonders

This great port has contrived to exist for six whole
days—not certainly without a Mayor, but—without
Finance Committee, Watch Committee, Dock Com-

or any other Committees ; and in this de-
tess position we have had dealt upon our heads,
,m the opposite shores of the Mersey, an astound-
ng blow, which might almost have been expected
_eery ruin our docks, shipping,
arehouses, and the Town-hall itself ! And yet we
Ire all alive, and most of us merry ! The tide is
still marked at the Old Dock sill as correctly as
meets this day—has screwed
;n our Town-hall, to take

submerge in on,

ever ; and th

s coura

s of its last Thursday's inter-

fear of

falling roof and

eting we shall give in

business is now briefly to

remark upon t

extraordinary source from

las flowed so extraordinary a state of

oaunic

ch have give

rise to the

resent anomalous position of the town's affairs are

briefly these

—A very decided feeling on ti

e part

ajority of the Council had

ated out Mr. San(

the member for Exchange

Ward, as the gentleman worthy to fill the office of
Mayor for the ensuing year; and on Thursday last

the Council met, according to the requirements of
the Municipal Act, to make the appointment, and
afterwards to elect the various committees. On the
evious Monday, however,—prompted, as to -the
s communication, by what

cular period of

and certainly we are not

eparec

impute motives of a personal nature on

the part of Mr. Corrie,—a letter was addressed. by
that gentleman to the Mayor, in which it was stated

.at " a practice had prevailed for a long time past
the office of Messrs, Sands and Co. of entering

expense of working,

e packages of manufactured goods exported by

em, such as cottons, woollens, &c., almost inva-

Before proceeding to examine the probable effects
of the carrying out of the above scheme upon the
various interests on this side of 'the Mersey, we shall
briefly glance at its general operation, so far as the
commerce of the entire port is concerned. There
can be no question as to the vast usefulness, to tl:e
shipping frequenting the port of Liverpool, of a
sheltered harbour, 36 acres in extent, on the wind-
ward side of the river, accessible at all times of the
tide, and containing twelve feet of water at the lowest
tides. Into this refuge most of our sea-going steam-
ers will undoubtedly run, and, in stormy weather,
a great number of our inward-bound sailing vessels,
instead of, as at present, anchoring in the river until
able to get safely into dock on this side. For many
of the former the pool will in future present a most
eligible place for discharging and loading, connected,
as it will be, with a great portion of the south of
England by a railway running down to the water's
edge, and with Liverpool by a ferry, the time of
crossing which rarely occupies more than five or six
minutes, and which may, accordingly, be said to be
nearer to the centre of the town than any of our ex-
isting steam docks. By the facilities thus afforded,
and an acceleration of the railway trains, as pro-
posed for Holyhead, it is calculated that the com-
munication between Dublin and London may be
made within sixteen hours, no detention occurring
in landing or embarking, and that the mails between
Glasgow and London may be delivered in, at the
most (except in boisterous weather), twenty-four
hours. It is also stated—we believe on official au-
thority—that, on the completion of this scheme, we
may look for that important boon, which we have
_ _

as trusses

and boxes, rarely entering any as

thus making themcha;ge-
- rate of town-dues, the dif-

th the Lowe:

packages, respectively,

ieing 1 d

h." On his first knowledge of such
, Mr. Sands laid the whole case before
nd, acting upon their advice and his

honourable im

upon the proposition of

ame on Thursday for the office of Mayor, at

me intimated his determination not to accept such
fice, however highly he rated the honour proposed
be conferred upon him in its bestowal, until he
Lould be able, by submitting to a full investigation

into the nature of the charge alleged, to stand clearly
exonerated in the eyes of his fellow-citizens. The
result of that declaration was, that, pending such

idle Council decided to postpone their

lvestigation ,

Mayor by an adjournment ; and the sub-

Tefore, coin

before them for ultimate

In the meantime, as suggested at the Council
neeting, a committee of merchants sate on Friday
last, Wm. Brown, Esq. in the chair, for the purpose
)f investigating the facts upon which the charge of
Ir. Corrie was founded. The resolutions of that
eting, by which the character of the house of
Sands, Turner, and Co. was completely
red of every imputation of dishonour, will be
t-id in another column. Upon this result being
the friends of Mr. Sands was

n, a ii

which took place yesterday, at which the fol-

additional resolutions were unanimously

" Resolved

s meeting having already fully
Is, Turner, and Co., from the
s brought against them in Mr. Corrie's letter of
3 unanimously of opinion that Mr.
w his objection to being nominated
ent year.

hitherto sought in vain, viz., the transfer of the
West India steam fleet from Southampton to the
Mersey.

The capabilities and usefulness of the inner or in-
closed dock, with its large area of 120 acres, al-
though infinitely less, in our humble opinion, than
the sanguine views of our Cheshire friends at pre-
sent lead them to anticipate, must undoubtedly be
great. As a dock of general resort for loading or
discharging sea-going vessels, we do not expect to
see it much used ; but for a great portion of the
coasting trade, for laying up vessels on sale, and
for steamers of every description to load and dis-
charge cargo, it undoubtedly offers great facilities.
Some portion of the timber trade, too, may be
accommodated, and, by the construction of ware-
houses, or fireproof sheds, by the Manchester
River Companies, cargoes of corn, and of cotton
even, may be discharged on that side, and return
freights of iron, coal, salt, &c., with passengers,
be taken in. The chief use, however, of such
a dock must be for the accommodation of the ship-
building, repairing, engineering, and other trades
connected with the shipping of the port, and the
manufactures of the adjoining districts; and by the
erection of yards, slips, graving docks, &c., upon its
quays, this side of the river may ultimately become
the principal locality for those branches of business
which require convenient water facilities, and, in-
stead of the bulk of the repairs and building of this
port being driven away to other localities ; the Mer-

We have remarked elsewhere upon the circum-
stances which have left, as it were, in abeyance the
office of mayor and the choosing of the various
committees, by whom are regulated the local affairs
therefore, we have

ieapest and most exten-

of this

Upon thes

ne matters con-