The daily union., 1846-06-29
THE pRY-DoCK QUESTION.

II perhaps hnOtnef commission may De
dent to determine the drydock question. This I'M
preston will cease TO exist when the facts in the
case come TO be duly considered.
Commissions hare already acted.
Commissions have heretofore been appointed,
and have reported to the Navy Department The
department has carefully weighed these reports and
IN report from the secretary sent to Congress In
February l644, has formally adopted the sectional
dock, basin, and railways, and recommended 1t
preferable TO all other plans At the head Of one Of
the commissions was the chief engineer Of the bu-
reau of yards and docks, whose report says: THE
construction of dock upon this plan, capable Of
raising the largest shiPs-ofthe-ine would be prac-
tcabe," and that at affords more extensive fa-
ciiitIes than any other plan"
Thus 1t appears that the question has already gone
Through the ordeal Of commissions In due FORM and
that ths decision of the department upon their re-
ports mas been in favor of this plan.
n broader commission Of practical men.
In addition TO formal commissions on this subject
the government has the benefit of the opinions of
nearly all the scientific and practical men IN the
countryside best and most extensive commission
in the world-in favor Of the sectional plan over
all others. They may be briefly summed up as
fOl,ows-yZ:
Opinion Of The .Nt.O York ship-buiLdsrs,
Who ALL, without exception, say, speaking Of
the sectional dock, after giving their reasons, that
"SSS ohiohb
render it much superior to the balance dock" and
again, in another certificate, they say, 1--WE have
hesitation IN declaring 1T, IN our opinion, the best
plan Of dry-doek knOwn to u.s."
Opinion cfall The principal Ns1 York ship Otoasrs,
Who, in their memorial TO Congress, after giving
their reasons Ia favor Of the sectional dock, Eay
"On these accounts and others, zoe prefer Il 10 any
other plan Of hydOek that has come TO our knowl-
edge"
Opinion Of all The sisamboal-o1nsrs Of .Nsp York,
Who say, 1--WE unhestatingly pronounce it (the
sectional dock) The beat plan Of dTy-doek that we
know Of for taking up steamboats, for repairs."
Opinion Of Capt. Gregory, U S. NJ
This distinguished officer says OF this plan, it is
"the most safe. economical, ami expeditions mode Of
constructing dry dock and that can be construct
ed TO answer all The purposes required in a
naval establishment"
Opinion u Com. Jacob Jones, U. s. NJ
This distinguished officer, in a report TO the Sec.
retary Of the Navy, (of which there is no copy al
hand) speaks Of the sectional dock greatly pref
cradle to the balance dock, and in connexion With
the basin and railways, as an improvement Of I'M
mense value TO naval establishment
Opinion Of Com. L. Ksarnsy, U. S. NJ
This distinguished naval officer, in letter to a
member Of Congress, says: THE sectional docks
WOBid prefer al Philadelphia, and any other ports
where the difficulties recited Certain supposed dfi
cultes at the Pensacola navy-yard) do not exist"
Opinion Of the american Institute.
A committee Of this scientific body was appoint,
ed TO examine this and other floating docks and
ported that they felt "assured of its extensive adop
tion and cheerully expressed their opinion Of its
superiority over any other floating dry-doCk work
Of this description which had come to their knowl
edge"
Opinion Of The president Of the Franklin Institute.
J. " Merrick, esq, of Philadel phIa president Of
this valuable institution was appointed as chairman
of committee Of citizens TO examine this and the
balance dock, and reported that he decidedly pre-
ferred this plan, and added "that Its eonnexlon with
permanent stone basin and system Of railways,
by which it may, with little cost and entire facility
enable the government 10 lay up their ships in or
dinary, and hence very much add to their durablI-
~, give 1t decided uduaniage the stons deck
which has hitherto been deemed the best appliance
for the purpose"
Opinion Of Foster Rhodes, esq, United States naval
constructor.
This eminent naval architect, the constructor Of
the feet and dry dock of the Grand Segnor at Con-
stantInople, in letter TO the Hon. M q. Leonard,
late member Of Congress, says OF this plan, eff the
sectional floating dry-dock, with basin and three
railways, were constructed in the best manner, Il
tooud be Of equal pal to, and afford more facilities,
than t,Uo ercapated stone docks"
Opinion Of DR.. Mott, president Of Union College.
This iHustrious man, in a letter to a member of
Congress, speaking Of this plan, says: "H soiH
perssde the Of all other docks hitherto known to
the public" and he recommends 1t, he says "under
the full belief of its claim to superiority every in
strument Of the kind hitherto in use.'
Opinion Of Professor S. F. B. Morse, inrentor Of the
Telegraph.
This distinguished man, in letter to the Hon.
NJ. q. Leonard, says: 81 have made myself ac.
nuainted With The prn MI IF The Anatipu dock
and II appears TO me to possess decided advantages
ousr all that have seen, particularly in the mode
devised for laying up ships in ordinary and repair
ing them. cannot but concur in the opinion Of The
most eminent practical men, that such dock must be
of immense advantage introduced into the navy
yards Of the United States"
Opinion Of H. NJ Shreepe, esq, npentor Of The snag-
This ingenious man, speaking Of this plan in a
letter to the Hon. +. j. Black late member of Con-
gress, says: 81 have no hesitation in giving my op,n-
ion decidedly In favor Of the sectional floating Dock ba
sin, aud railways all others have examined"
Opinion Of The Secretary Of the Navy, Mr. Henshd,r.
This able and sound practical sent two
ports to Congress in favor Of this plan, giving his
reasons for the adoption of it by the department at
length. In his report in its favor for Pensacola,
(Senate document 1884, lst session 2Sh Congress,)
he says "The department has recently, in another
report submitted TO Congress, expressed an opinion
in favor of Dakins plan of dock connected with rail
tracks This plan is believed to be eminenty well
adapted to the locality Of Pensacola, and will un.
doubtedly afford facilities greatly superior 10 any
caraled stone dock that can be constructed"
OPINIONS OF EMINENT CIVIL ENGINEERS.
Opinion Of John B. Jerris, esq.
This distinguished engineer, the constructor Of
the Croton aquoduct and its chief engineer, speak
ing of the sectional dock in letter to Mr.. Allen,
says "My opinion is that il piN supersede all othcr
methods heretofore known and used for putting
sells in condition for repair" and 'et the thing be
once put in fair operation, and there be doubt
all others lciH soon cease to be used"
Opinion Of Horatio Allen, esq.
This gentleman was Mr.. Jervis's principal assist
ant in that great work. and has submitted to Con-
gress able pamphlet in favor Of this plan, detail
ing its superior advantages all others at large.
Opinion Of Gen. VIM Gibbs .McINtiH.
This able and distinguished engineer, in letter to
Mr.. Allen, speaking of this plan, says "The con-
clusion, then, at which arrive, is, that the
tonal dock and basin planned, there is a
combination of all the advantages of permanent stone