The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-05-05 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held yes-
terday, when the following members were present :---Messrs.
Sands (chairman), Barclay, Holt, Holmes, Chilton, Smith,
Molyneux, Nicol, Bailey, Evans, Royden, Shand, Ripley,
Moon, and Tobin.

THE NEW DOCK WAREHOUSES.
The Sub-commit ree of Works presented a report, in which
they recommended that the three first floors of the intended
new dock warehouses should he constructed upon the princi-
ple of brick :itches, according to the model which has been
elected in the dockyard.

The CHAIRMAN observed that if this recommendation was
agreed to, the two upper floors would base to be constructed
in the ordinary way.
Mr. RIeLEY asked why the whole could not be constructed
upo❑ the brick arch principle ?
The CHAIRMAN replied, because it was apprehended the
weight would be too great. For his own part he thought
the whole might be so constructed.

Air. RIPLEY.—What is Mr: Hartley's opinion ?
The SURVEYOR, in reply, said the difference in weight, if
all the floors were brick arched, would be only thirty-five
tons.

Mr. RIPLEY observed that as far as the weight was con-
cerned, there could be no objection, whilst the great differ-
ence he presumed was between fire-proof and not fire-proof.
Now, if two stories, even of wood, as suggested by the re-
port, the warehouses would not be fire-proof.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that the report ought probably
to have stated that if it were found desirable the whole should
be constructed upon the same principle.
Mr. NicuoL said the report had received a great deal of
consideration ; and it was on the whole thought better that
three stories should be recommended to ,be brick arched,
whilst the mode of constructing the other two was left open.
In reply to a question from a MEMBER,
The SURVEYOR expressed his belief that the difference in
point of expense in making the whole fire-proof would be very
trifling. He was not quire sure, but he thought that bricks
would be cheaper than wood ; it depended, however, upon
the price of timber at the time.
Mr. EVANS put a question, the exact terms of which we
could not hear, relative to the rate at which insurances might
be effected on property in the warehouses?

The CHAIM:IAN. replied that the average in St. Katha-
rine's Docks was 2s. 6d., and he expected the rate would be
about the same here.

Mr. EvANs.—My opinion is, they ought not to ask Is. I
know this, they shall never ask me any more.
The SURVEYOR, mentioned that even if the boarded floors
were covered with sheet iron, brick arches would have tho
advantage. _

After-some further conversation the report was referred
back to the Sub-committee for reconsideration, there being
no necessity for an immediate decision.

COBURG DOCK.

The SURVnYOR applied for permission to run Coburg
Dock dry fora few days, in order-to repair one of the gates,
which has recently obtained some damage. The committee
assented to the application, and directed the usual notice to
be given,

DREDGING OF PRINCE'S DOCK

The CHAIRMAN said that within the last few days com-
plaints had been made to him of the docks being full, and
particularly of so much space being occupied in Prince's
Dock by the dredging machine. Hs asked when the opera-
tion would be finished, or whether it could for the present be
conveniently suspended.
The SURVEYOR replied, that unless the machine was kept
constantly at work there would speedily not be a ship in the
dock, for there was now seven feet of mud in it. Every
effort was being made to complete the work, but it would
take three weeks from this time to complete it, although they
were now doing double the usual work.
The CHAIRMAN.—Then it is absolutely neeessary for the
convenience of the shipping that the work should go on ?

The SURVEYOR.—li.is,—sir.
THE TRANSIT SHEDS.

Mr. RIPLEY and Mr. HOLT, on the subject of the transit
sheds being introduced by the CHAIRMAN, stated, that as
far as they had hitherto been in operation, they had been
found exceedingly convenient.