The daily union., 1846-06-26

ing OF this plan, says: "YouT exposition Of the ma
ure and advantages Of the sectional dock is So lucid
and complete that only express my entire con-
eurencs in everything you have said on the sub
ject;" and, further, "the sectional floating dock,
combined with basin in the manner you Indicate,
may Justly be viewed as one Of the hiumphs Of mod
srn science and mechanical skill over the ruder and
more simple contryances Of those who have gone
before u.s. and make no doubt but what it will ere
long receive general preference the stone docks
steam ships over sailing vessels, and railroads
and locomotives over the primitive turnpike and
horse teams.n
OpiniOy Of b. n. LalrObs, esq.
This able engineer, in letter to Mr. Allen,
speaking Of this subject says: ~IOur arguments TO
show the superiority of the sectional dock in every
point Of view are, TO my mind, quite eonelusiUs."
Opinion Of r. S. BrOUH, esq
This able engineer, now chief engineer of the
New York and Erie Railroad, speaking Of this
plan, I'm eonnexion With several other civil eBgI-
neers less known to the public,) says: "We cheer.
fully express our entire confidence in the utility,
convenience, simplicity, and perfect safety of this
plani and do not hesitate to recommend II to the
government for the use of the navy in our judg-
ment superior TO excayaied stone, or any other
plan ofdoek 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: 'l 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-wrghs who have already spoken on the sub
ject."
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 aLOns the opinion
of Walter X. Johnson, professor Of chemistry, &c
in favor Of the balance dock, now interested IN IT,
Commodore Stewart, and a very few others, who
are evidently ignorant of the sectional plan, and
have probably been misled by the advocates Of the
balance dock, speak favorably Of the latter
We respectfully ask whether there il any sufficient
ground for another commission TO 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 favor Of
the sectional dock as preferable to all others Where
and how could any commission be formed at all
comparable to the aboye' Is It any reason be-
cause a professor Of chemistry &c, gets together
parcel Of glass and tin cups and boxes, and lee
lures on their stability, that a new commission
should be appointed, when the fact is proved that
the two plans of dock in operation together
IN New York; that the sectional dock is preferred
by all the persons who practically use dry-doCks;
and that the sectional dock gets the choice Of the
business, although the balance dock offers an ad.
vantage Of 20 per cent~n n price Of docklng' OF
what account are Professor JOhnson's false theo.
ries on stability against the facts illustrated ia the
sectional dock IN New York, in its practical opera
tlon in raising over LOO vessels and also aga nst
he fact that the balance dock IN Marsei les, IN
France has actually sunk 10 the bottom and /, totally
LOST The most conclusive evidence from several
sources that such a disaster has occurred, can be
produced one is contained in the following letter
from the mate OF the ship CASTOR, Just arrived in
New York from Marseilles, viz:
Sinking and total loss Of the balance dock in Mar
ssitss.
"NEw YoRk, June 90, lS46
"SIR:I In reply to your inquiries respecting the
balance floating dock lately constructed at Mar
sellles, in France, would briefly state tina, | am
he mate Of the ship Castor, and have Just
arrived from MarseiIles to this port We IN
tended to have placed ship in this balance dock;
but upon our arrival at Marseles the dock had
sunk and they were unable to raise it; and II was
the opinion there that the dock would be aban-
doned without any attempt to raise 1t.
"6AY COULTER"
This fact Of the sinking of the balance dock at
Marseilles is confirmed by the statement of George
Morse, ESQ.,, merchant Of that city, lately arrived
in this country in the ship Arcole, of the ne line
of packets from New York to Marseilles.
We apprehend that hereafter there can be 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