The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-06

convenience, simplicity, and perfect safety Of this
planj and do not hesitate to recommend II 10 the
government for the of the navy as in our judg-
ment superior 10 all excavated stone, or any other
plan of dock known to u.s."
Opinion Of H. a. Norris, esq.
This able engineer, in letter TO one of the pro-
prietors, speaking of this plan says: IL have exam
ined the extensive floating sectional dock in this
city, and take great pleasure in adding my humble
testimony TO the powerful array Of merchants and
ship-wrights who have already spoken the sub
ecu
The opinion of the chief engineer Of bureau of
yards and docks has been given above.
Against this vast array OF testimony in favor Of
the sectional DOCK stands, almost alone, the opinion
of Walter X. Johnson, professor Of chemistry, DC,
in favor of the balance dock, now interested in it,
Commodore Stewart, and very few others, who
are evidently ignorant of the sectional plan, and
have probably been msled by the advocates Of the
balance dock, speak favorably of the latter.
We respectfully ask whether there is any sufficient
ground for another commission 10 investigate this
subject, when such an overwhelming majority Of the
scientific Intelligent, and practical men of the coun-
try have already given in their testimony IN favor OF
the sectional dock preferable TO all others Where
and how could any commission be formed at all
comparable to the above? Is It any reason be-
cause professor Of chemistry, dc, gets together
| parcel Of glass and tin cups and boxes, and lee
lures on their stability, that new commission
should be appointed, when the fact Is proved that
the plans Of dock in operation together
in New York; that the sectional dock is preferred
by all the persons who practically use dry-docksi
and that the sectional dock gets the choice Of the
business, although the balance dock offers an adj
vantage of 20 per cent. 10 price Of docking or
what account are Professor Johnson's false theO-
ries on stability against the facts illustrated in the
sectional dock in New York, in its practical opera.
ton in raising over 100 vessels and also against
lhs fact that the balance dock in Marseiiles, in
France, has actually sunk 70 the bottom and is totally
lost? The most conclusive evidence from several
sources that such disaster has occurred, can be
produced; one is contained in the following letter
from the mate OF the ship Castor, just arrived ia
New York from Marseilles, viz:
Sinking and total loss Of the balance dock in Mar
settles. .
"NEw YoRE, June 20, 1876.
"SR: In reply to your inquiries respecting the
balance floating dock lately constructed at Mar.
settles, IN France, would briefly state that am
the mate Of the ship CASTOR, and have Just
arrived from MarseiIles TO this port We in
tended 10 have placed our ship in this balance dock;
but upon arrival at Marseles the dock had
sunk and they were unable to raise 1t; and It was
the opinion there that the dock would be aban-
doned without any attempt to raise it.
Respectfully yours,
This fact Of the sinking Of the balance dock at
Marsellles is confirmed by the statement Of George
Morse, esq, merchant Of that city, lately arrived
in this country, in the ship Arcoe, Of the new line
Of packets from New York TO MarseilIes.
We apprehend that hereafter there can be no rea-
son for a commission on the question Of dry-docks,
so far at least as the balance dock is concerned.
In behalf Of the Sectional Floating Dry-dock Com
pany, New York
June 25-4t