New-York daily tribune., 1843-02-03
~ We are overwhelmed with articles in rela-


- ". are overwhelmed with articles in rcla-
no. 10 the rival plans for building a Naval Dry
Dock, and can Only publish them very sparingiy'
"a the mas. of our readers must take very ilsie
interest in the subject. We have published suen
articles as seemed calculated TO shed light on the
merits and advantages of the rval Floating Docks,
and with that view give place to the one oetow,
while we have declined to print the letter from
Washington of our friend Spectator because it
does not seem calculated to add any thing to the
information on the subject alresdy in the posses
sion of our readers. L states indeed, that the
opinion of influential men at Washington is entirely
favorable to the Balance Dock, and that the Com
rni,tees of Congress will report all which We
reseat without disputiag. Our own observation,
however, has led US to the conclusion. NOT hastily
adopted, that, while each plan OF Dock has Its
merits. the Sectional is the better adapted to the
gigantic size required for Naval Dock. We give
this. with great distrus Of our own illness to adge
in the premises. simply as reason for declining
10 print Spectators opinions, which can hardly
be founded on better evidence than our own' oa1
,be question is one TO be decided by Naval Con-
s,ructors, Shipwrishts. Sc. The writer OF Tue
following is one
Sectional Fieating Dock.
To Il. Editor Of The Tribune;
Your articles upon the Sectional DOCK re-
mind me os visit that lately made, tempted by
curiosity alone, for the purpose OF examining inc
poyel method of raising our largest merchant
ships, by the ins,rumentaity of buoyant boxes
The effect of The operation noHe can witness WIN
out feeling gratied, and interested in the success
Of those who have so advantageously put in prac-
,ice theory in mechanics, both novel and imPor-
taat in its present application.
| have no interest whatever in the Sectionai
Dock. or in It's results, further than what every
citizen should feel in the successful adaptation OF
new principles or .be adaptation OF old prlnci
pies, in mechanism, tending to public benefit.
I saw q vessel OF more than 1000 tons quietly
glide over the invisible sanks-which you have so
faithfully described-snd elevated high and dry to
receive the repairs that several years service had
rendered necessary. The small steam engines oc-
cupying the second platform of the tiame' that
loomed up on either side of the ship, were set IN
motion The contents of the sunken reservoirs
commenced gushing forth in powerful streams from
each, until bearing was obtained upon the YES
sers keel TO the forra of which the flexible truck
work most admirably adapted itself. The shores
or props were then extended, reaching from the
sde-frames to the vessels side, resist the late
raj pressure. AID ts secure her in the same posi-
ton as when in the water.
The level being applied to the ships deck, told
that she was ready for the ascent. The pumps
resumed their labors, and the immense fabric IN
short time exhibited her full symmetrical proper
tions giving evidence that the power OF the buoy
ancy beneu,h was far greater than the immense
weight above. On the broad level platform OF the
dock she stood erect as securely though resting
upon rock, and suppo rted by innumerable iron
braces; her sea.worn sides and bottom exposed TO
unob.tructed light, demanding the labors OF the
shipwrighr, the caulker and the copperer. Evil
dently she had received no strain or injury; her
bolt. and ieints remained unloosened, and even
the doors of her state-rooms could be opened and
shut with ease.
On the next day / saw the same vessel unlocked
by the simple process of letting the water gradu'
ally into the Tanks. She had been lifted as gently
a. an infant by its sturdy parent, and wthshe same
pentIencss was she replaced in her former cradle,
to be rocked again by the swelling waves, or the
fierce winds of the ocean.
would advise those who like myself, can ENJOY
The operation of beautiful scientific mechanism, TO
visit the Sectional Dock at the foot of Rutgers-st
when one of our long steamers, tall merchant ships
or sloops.ofwar is about to be raised upon II; and II
he should not be fully recompensed for his trouble,
viii admit that invention is incapable of attordlng
pleasure TO AN ADMIRER OF MECHANISM.
O. man named Frederick R. O'Neal, for
merly soldier in the U. S. army, conmitted sui
eide al Savannah, Ga, on the 25,h. He took a
dose of laudanum and went to neighoor's to tell
him what he had done. While talking with him
he fell down dead. He was man Of incorporate
habits.
% A young married maH, respectfully corr
nected, has been arrested in NewOrleans and con-
fessed that jewels found in his possession were
stolen by him from the grave of lady buried with
her ornaments some years since.
FROM JAMAlcA.-By the arrival of the schoo-
ner Emily, from Kingston, we have received Ja-
maica papers to the 10Th inst. The session OF
Parliamen, wss over, the exisencies of the coun-
try having been met, and q surpusage OF means
left, exceeding 96O,es0, whiIe the planter has
been relieved OF upwards of 100000, in the re-
lnquishmcn, of the heredi,amen, tax thi, year
The island of Antigsa had suffered much from,
yeIlew fever. The negroes were quiet, and the
Baptists had ceased their intermedd!ipg with the
servile population. Two slight shocks of an
earthquake had beea fel, in Antigua.