The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-30 00:00:00

THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

On Wednesday a special mt-eting was held in the Com-
mittee-room, at which all the n,embers but two were pre-
sent. The Secretary read the report of the sub-commit-
tee, of which the fo!lowing are the principal heads :
Mr. JOHN CLINT (long connected with the port) stated
that the docks were more crowded t an before, that there
was an increase of tonnage, and that the consequent incon-
venience 1 •st summer was very great. The. warehouses
round the Albert Dock would augment its facilities, but
more room would be wanted. He was in favour of in-
closing all the open basins, and suggested a survey of the
Dock Estate land—to ascertain if more space could not
b- given in the centre—pointing out the land west of the
George's and Queen's Docks particularly. He thought
the removal of graving docks and building yards ought
not to be a consideration ompared with central dock
space, and that the Nova Scotia graving docks ought not
to have been made.

A diversity of opinion exists in the committee as to the
comparative advantages of the north and the south ends
of the town for additional dock room, and we therefore
give some heads on this point.
Mr. Wm. Hudson and Mr. John Bark, master-pilots,
agreed in opinion that in N.W. winds it was difficult, and
when blowing fresh, impossible to dock sailing ships at
the Clarence Dock ; and that there aas more protection
at the south, where it was safer to dock vessels. Mr.
Hudson stated that he had known sailing vessels docked
at the south, when steamers could not be docked at the
north ; and if it were said that they could not take a ves-
sel in so late at the north, it arose from the construction
of the docks, and not from want of water. The pilots
preferred an open basin to run into before docking a ship.
They considered it unsafe to have a dock entrance at Bea-
con's Gutter, and could not tell how it could be protected
and not be in the way of the ships. A mole or breakwater
would be in the way of vessels, and floating breakwaters
In the way of their anchors. Pluckington bank protected
vessels docking at the south, by causing smoother water.
They departed from the opinion that the tide remained
half an hour later at the north than the south, and thought
the north had, in this respect, an advantage over the south
end of the town.

Two experienced masters of flats said they found the
south more convenient than the north end, and that they
frequently missed a tide by going to the latter. The swell
was also greater at the north in blowy weather from the
westward. It was frequently dangerous for flats at the
Clarence Dock. The anchorage was bad at the north,
and flats, in parting their anchors, were liable to go on
the wall and sink, for there was no place to get them into.
There was better anchorage at the south, and smoother
water. The tide was also stronger at the north. If there
was a dock entrance at Beacon's Gutter, flats would not
go there if they could help it, for there was nothing but
rock and sand, and the anchorage was bad. even in the
middle of the river. They could get their flats easily and
safely into the George's and southern docks. The tide
was not half so rapid at the Brunswick Dock as at the
north. It was equally favourable at the Toxteth Dock,
where there was good anchorage, and they could go with
safety into the Harrington Docks with almost any wind.
Mr. Hodgson, north harbour-master, thought it would
be difficult co dock deeply-loaded ships at Beacon's Gut-
ter, there being more sea-way than at the south. Mr.
Hartley's proposed breakwater would be a proteciion to
the gates, but it would be in the way of ships docking.
Gates of 60 or 70 feet wide (for steamers) would not be
safe with a heavy sea—this would be liable to be forced
open, or broken in a gale, if northward of the present
docks. He would prefer a large dock for steamers at the
north, and the south (which was protected by the Cheshire
shore) for sailing vessels. He preferred open basins. If
the Prince's Dock Basin were enclosed, half the present
number of vessels would not he got into the docks to
which it was branched. Mr. M`Bride was of the same
opinion.

Lieutenant Lord, marine-surveyor, said there was a
strong tide of four knots in the springs, at the north, and
did not think the sea-wall carried to Beacon's Gutter
would alter it. It would not be safe to dock sailing ves-
sels at the north, when blowing hard. There could only
be a few minutes' difference between the south and the
north in the length of time for docking ; in fact, from the
Rock to Warrington there is only fifty-five minutes dif-
ference in the time of high water. Ships could be docked
as long at the south as the north. The breakwater would
be dangerous to ships. Where piers had been put down
they had not made the water smoother, but the contrary.
Mr Askew, south harbour-master, differed from the
witnesses as to the respective length of time for docking
at each end, and gave the preference to the north in that
respect, admitting, however, that there was a greater et-
posure.
The next point considered In the report was the pro-
posed communication with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
from the River-Craft Dock at the n,rth end, embracing
a coasting dock between the Regent's-road and Great
Howard-street, and from thence by four locks to the
canal. The evidence given by the agent of the Canal
Company as to canal traffic did not satisfy them of the
propriety of recommending such communication to be
made at the expense and risk of the dock trust. After an
interview between the canal directors and the committee,
it was arranged that if the Dock Committee woulu under-
take to complete the proposed communication to the
canal, they (the Canal Company) would agree to pay for
the land and the expense of construction of the locks and
canal from Great Howard-street inwards; but they did
not require the width or size of these works to be greater
than that of the canal and locks at other parts of their
line. In the event of the proposal being carried out, they
stipulated for the control of the supply of water from the
canal, but agreed that the chain of communication other-
wise should be under the entire control of the dock trust,
reserving only a clear passage for the boats in the centre,
and tindertaking to pay the usual dock rates upon all
goods brought through that channel into the docks.
The committee had obtained information on the interior
canal traffic from Mr. Braithwaite Poole, from which it
appeared, that of the whole inland traffic, amounting to
nearly 1,400,000 tons, not more than one-eighth is con-
veyed by any channel north of the Exchange, and that
the great mass of the traffic is carried by the railway, by
the Duke's Dock, and the quays at the south-west end of
George's Dock.
Mr. Hartley's plans for dock extension bad received a
large share of the committee's attention, and it would be
seen " that the anticipations of improvement in the com-
merce of this vast port have not been over-estimated,
when it has shown that the revenue of 1843 exceeds that
of the previous year by no less a sum than £21,751. Bs, 7d.,
or nearly twelve per cent."

" We cannot conclude our report (say the committee)
without expressing our thanks to the different gentlemen
who have favoured us with their attendance at the Dock-
office, and from whom we have derived, on many points,
much important and valuable information.
" (Signed) WILLIAM NICOL,
" Chairman of the Special Sub-committtee.
"January 22, 1844."
Mr. Nicol., after having delivered a long speech, moved
the adoption of the report.
Mr. TOBIN seconded the motion.

A discussion followed, which lasted about five hours.
Mr. EvA:vs spoke against the adoption of the report,
on the ground that it omitted many points which should
have been stated, and contained many others which might
with advantage have been o►nitted.
Mr. AIKIN followed on the same side, and moved as an
amendment, that as it did not recommend any particular
plan for further dock accommodation, it be referred back
to the sub-committee to report upon the most eligible
plan for that purpose.
A long conversation succeeded, in the course of which
Mr. MOLYNEUX moved an adjournment of the debate
until the following day. This motion was put to the vote,
and lost by a majority of one.
Mr. Nicol then replied ; after which Mr. Aikin's
amendment was lost by a majority of 11 to 6, and the
original motion was carried.
Mr. Nicol, then moved that the report, together with
its appendages, be printed, and a copy sent to each of the
trustees of the docks, to each of the mercantile associa-
tions, and to the Exchange and Underwriters'-rooms.
The motion was carried, and the committee adjourned.

On Thursday the usual weekly meeting was held. The
sub committee of works recommended the discontinuance
of the Bude light at George's Dock, and the substitution
of additional common lights,in consequence of it being
ascertained that the cost of the Bude light for thirty-nine
days was XIS 18s., whereas the cost of four common
lamps to be substituted would only be £2-I a year.—On
the recommendation of Mr. Whitty, it was agreed that
policemen should be stationed during the night at the
Brunswick and Queen's Graving Docks, robberies at one
of these docks having lately taken place.—The sheds be-
tween the Waterloo and Victoria Docks were ordered to
be boarded at the sides, at a cost of £2lO, by a majority
of 14 to 5, the committee having divided on the propriety
of adopting that course or covering the entire open space
between the existing sheds on the quays of the Waterloo
and Victoria Docks, at a cost of £2,Boo.—The receipts at
Runcorn, during the month, on 103 vessels, and 8,752
tons, were X.-12 7s. Bd., being an increase on the corres-
ponding period last year of twenty-five vessels, 1238 tons,
and £5 12s. Bd.—Mr. W. F. Wilkins submitted a newly-
invented life-preserver, which was referred to the Marine
Surveyor.—A memorial from the mercantile association
to the commissioner of customs, pointing out the incon-
venience and injury resulting from the restrictions as to
landing cargoes in over-hours, and praying for such modi-
fication of the existing regulations as would meet every
reasonable exigency in promoting the despatch of busi-
ness, was read, and it was ordered to be forwarded, along
with a letter from the chairman, recommending not only
the adoption of the suggestions, but also an extension of
the regular hours, which, at the present, are only from
half-past eight in the morning till half-past three in the
afternoon. The Chairman submitted an anonymous let-
ter, complaining that the dock gatemen received bribes to
such an extent that it had become a law, and added it was
notorious that they did so. On the suggestion of Mr.
Nicol, it was ordered that an abstract of the clause of the
dock acts, which authorizes the infliction of a penalty of
£2O on the giver or receiver of a bribe, should be pla-
carded round the docks.

Sustuctous.—On Wednesday last, a police-officer,
whilst on duty, found in a drain underneath the road, near
Eccleston-hall, a bundle of wearing apparel belonging to
a female. The articles were wrapped in a blue and white
silk handkerchief, and consisted of an old dark green stuff
gown, a flannel petticoat, a pair of stays, nearly new, a
cotton chemise, an old straw bonnet, and a pocket con-
taining a pair of small scissors, a thimble, and 2d in cop.
per. In the afternoon, at some distance from this spot,
there were found in the drain a pair of black stockings.
Suspicions were entertained that the clothes belonged to
a female who had been murdered, and the ponds in the
neighbourhood were dragged, to ascertain whether the
body had been thrown therein ; but hitherto nothing fur-
ther has been found to confirm the suspicion caused by
the finding of the bundle in such a strange place.