The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-01-20 00:00:00

REPORT

This document stated that at a meeting of the Dock Commit-
tee, held on the 13th instant, to consider and decide upon
plans and estimates of proposed dock improvement in Wap-
ping, Nova Scotia, &c., the committee had considered the im-
provements in Wapping as prepared by the surveyor, together
with the reports and estimates, and resolved that the plan be
approved and powers be obtained to carry it into effect ; they
also approved of the plan for the better accommodation for
coasters, &c., on the site of Nova Scotia, and resolved that
similar powers be obtained. Also that powers be obtained to
purchase such land on the site of the late Harrington Dock as
might be desirable to widen the east quay of that dock ; and,
finally, that the whole plans be laid before the trustees for their
approval, and that the Mayor be requested to call a special
meeting of the Council, to consider the same.
Mr. HARTLEY'S communication to the Chairman of the Par-

propliatithl of the land to be purchased

He states

"'One of the greatest inconveniences connected with the
Liverpool Docks has been the want of a connection between
the North and South Docks; vessels having ,
discharged their
cargoes in any of the docks of the South division, and required
to take in their outward cargoes in the Northern Docks, (which
is a case constantly occurring,) have hitherto been obliged
to take in ballast to enable them to go in the river, as
well as to employ a steam-boat and pilot, or run the
chance of being upset, an instance of which, I believe, oc-
curred only. the other day. The inconvenience arising from
this cause is every day becoming greater, and will be still
more strongly felt when the Albert dock and warehouse are
brought into full operation; and it has been partly with a view
to remedy this evil, that I have designed the plan for a dock in
Wapping, connecting the Queen's and Salthouse docks. Not
only lies there a great necessity been felt for a more convenient

wafer communication, but a siill greater necessity for a better
land access to the different docks in this particular locality.

The East quays of the Queen's, the Ring's, the Saltlibuse,
and the George's docks are all greatly too narrow for the work-

Wick Estate were to be fenced oft from the streets, which it is
desirable they should be, in order to give more uninterrupted
accommodation to the working of the docks, then the streets
(which, including footpath and carriage-way are only 30 feet)

would be so much contracted as to render it impossibl
ry on the ordinary traffic with that facility which ou

to car-
it to be

themselves had to pais in this direction, bui also from the cir-
cumstance of the railway depot and several of the carrier's
wharfs being likewise in this vicinity, almost the whole com-
mercial traffic between this port and the interior has been con-
centrated here, in streets far too confined for the purpose.
These inconveniences I have endeavoured to remedy in the design
now laid before you. Little, if any, explanation of the plan it-
self can, I think, be needed, as the great improvement to be
derived from it will at once be obvious to any one conversant
with the present state of Wapping and the adjacent thorough-

" It is proposed to construct a dock of 5} acres area, having
a quay on its east side, 75 feet in width, and a public street on
the outside 75 feet in width, running in a straight line from
near the south-west corner of Canning-place, to the west end
of Kitchen-street. A communication is also proposed to be
made between this dock and the existing Duke's dock, by

which means very great facility will be given to the carrying
trade, and consequently to the shipping trade generally.
The contemplated means of forming a system of railway
communication along the whole line of the docks, is greatly
dependent upon this plan being carried out; and in further-
ance of that measure, it is also proposed to purchase the Man-
chester basin, and the New River Company's basin; and to
form there an additional outlet into the river, opening from
George's dock passage, (which it is intended shall be widened
and otherwise improved) by which great relief will be given to
the transit of ships to and from the Prince's and George's
docks and George's basin, and the coasters and others relieved
from the inconvenience tendant upon the use of the latter of
those quays. Graving blocks may then be laid on each side of
the basin. In connection, also with this outlet, dopOts will be
formed, with which the railways from the different docks will
be connected, thus facilitating still further the operations of
the carriers. Every facility which can be afforded to the rapid
transit of merchandise to and from the shipping must act prac-
tically as a proportionate increase of dock accommodation,. and
I do not think I can recommend to you any plan more likely
to attain this object, or be more beneficial to the general

miffing for your consideration

Mr. HAniLEy concludes by saying that he has not had
leisure to make accurate estimates of the cost, but is decidedly
of opinion that the position of the works forming the communi-
cation between the Queen's and Salthouse Docks may be con-
structed at a much less proportionate cost than any similar
works in the port, added to which no river wall, and but little
cleansing will be required.
Messrs. John Stewart and John Wightman, in a letter (dated
3d January) addressed to Mr. Mason, the Secretary, state, that
in looking over the Wapping esitmate, they think the com-

mittee must assume £506,-000-as the entire cost, from which is
to be deducted the value of the materials, and the contribution
(if any) made by the Corporation.
Estimate of the Proposed New Works in Wapping.

The probable cost of works, ./
land, &c., .1500,000, . •
Deduct—Corporation reversion
old materials, 1'58,000,

..154,386; valuation of

e 654,386

'115,000 ;—value of

6'123,000

45'531,386

If the above work be not carried out, 272f.3 sq. yds. of

frontage will be required in Wapping to admit of rails
being laid, which at 415 per sq. yd. would be . .

Assuming the above estimate, the work may be esti-
mated as follows : Wapping Dock (area of water) 5 acres

0235 yds. ; Basin, 1 acre 1671 yds. ; Salthouse, 1 acre
3412 yds :-8 acres 0478 yds., at .e 57,192 per acre, .

Lineal yards of Quay. Wapping Dock, 6
308; Salthouse Dk. 55,-1013 at £457, ss. pc

'463,18E