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

THE DRY-DOCK QUESTION.
THE idea is entertained by some persons that
l. perhaps another commission may be expe-
dent to determine the dry-doek question This inn
preston will TO exist when the facts in the
case come TO be duly consdsrsd.
Commissions haze already acted.
Commissions have heretofore been appointed
and have reported to the Navy Department The
department has carefully weighed these reports and
in a report from the secretary sent 20 Congress In
February, 1874, has formally adopted the sectional
dock, basin, and railways, and recommended it as
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 shipsof-the-hne would be prac-
ticable," and that "ll affords more extensive ia
elites than any other plan"
Thus 1t appears that the question has already gone
through the ordeal Of commissions IN due form, and
that the decision Of the department upon their re-
ports has been in favor Of this plan.
A broader eOHimissiOn-hat Of practical men.
In addition To formal commissions OH this subject,
the government has the benefit Of the opinions OF
nearly all the scientific and practical men ia the
In the World--ln favor OF the sectional plan over
all others. They may be briefly summed up, as
fol!ows-yZ:
Opinion Of the NsV York ip-6uiLders,
Who ALL, without exception, say, speaking OF
the sectional dock, after giving their reasons that
these advantages, among others, in our opinion,
render il much superior To the balance dock;" and
again, in another certificate they say, 1--WE have no
hesitation m declaring II, in our opinion, The best
plan Of dry-dOek kno,0n 10 US"
Opinion 0fah the principal .NslO York hip-otontrs,
Who, in their memorial to Congress, after giving
their reasons in favor of the sectional dock saw:
Nllu these and OlhaFs sfs. Ia
other plan Of dy-dOsk that has come to our knowl.
edge"
Opinion Of all the steaulboat-0pntrs Of .Nsio York
Who say, "we unhesitatingy pronounce IL (the
sectional. doek) the best plan Of drSdoek that we
know Of for taking up steamboats, for repairs"
Opinion Of Capt. Gregory U S. N
THIS distinguished officer says Of this plan, 1t IS
"the most safe, economical, and pedtoua mode Of
constructing dry dock, and that 1t can be construct
ed so as TO answer all The purposes required in a
naval establishment"
Opinion Of Com. Jacob Jones, U. S.E
This distinguished officer in report TO the Sec
rotary Of the Navy, (of which there is no copy at
hand speaks Of the sectional dock as greatly pref
cradle to the balance dock, and, in connexion with
the basin and railways, an improvement Of i'm
mense value to naval establishment
Opinion Of Com. L. KeGrney, U. s. ".
This distinguished naval officer in a letter to
member of Congress, says: "The sectional docks
tood prefer at Philadelphia, and any other ports
where the difficulties rected certain supposed diff
suues at the Pensacola nsvy-yard) do not exist"
Opinion Of the .4m,riedn Institute.
A committee of this scientific body was appoint.
ed to examine this and other floating docks, and re-
ported that they felt assured of its extensive adop
ton, and cheerfully expressed their opinion Of its
superiority over any other floating drydock work
Of this description which had come to their know-
edge"
Opinion Of the president Of the Franklin Institute.
J. V. Merrck, esq, Of Philadel phia president of
this valuable institution, was appointed chairman
OF a committee OF citizens TO examine this and the
balance dock, and reported that he decidedly pre-
ferred this plan and added that its connexion with
permanent stone basin and system of railways
by which It may with little cost, and entire facility
enable the government to lay up their ships in or
binary, and hence very much add TO their durabi-
ty, give It decided advantage the stont dock
which has hitherto been deemed the best appliance
for the purpose"
Opinion Of Foster Rhodes, esq Usiied State, naval
constructor.
This eminent naval architect, the constructor of
the feet and dry-dock Of the Grand Segnor at Con-
stantinope, In a letter to the Hon. M q. Leonard,
late member of Congress, says Of this plan, "if the
sectional floating dry-dock, with basin and three
railways, were constructed in the best manner, il
poud be Of equal pai~ 10, and afford more facilities
than t,co ereapated stone docks"
Opinion Of DR.. Mott, president Of Union College.
This illus,rious man, 10 a letter to member of
Congress, speaking of this plan, says: "H ,ciu SUI
perssde The use Of all other docks hitherto known to
the public" and he recommends it, he says, "under
the full belief Of its claim to superiority over every in
strument of the kind hitherto in use''
Opinion Of Professor S. F. B. Morse, inventor of The
Telegraph
This distinguished man, in a letter to the Hon.
M. g. Leonard says: al have made myself ac-
quainted with the principles Of this floating dock
and It appears to me to possess decided advantages
orer 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 Shrsepe esq, inrentor Of the snag-
boat.
This ingenious man. speaking of this plan in a
letter to the Hon E. Black, late member of Con-
gress, says 81 have no hesitation in giving my opn-
ion decidedly in favor Of The sectional floating dock, ba
sin, and railTdys opsr all Others have examined"
Opinion Of The Secretary Of the Nary, Mr.. Henshno
This able and sound practical man sent two re-
ports to Congress in favor of this plan, giving his
for the adoption Of it by the department at
length. In his report in its favor for Pensacola
Senate document l34, lst session 2S,h Congress,
he says: ''The department has recently, in another
report submitted to Congress- expressed opinion
in favor Of Dakns plan of dock connected with rail-
tracks, This plan is believed to be emincntly well
adapted to the locality of Pensacola, and will I'm.
doubtedy afford facilities greatly superior 10 any er
carated stone dock that can be constructed"
OPINIONS OF EMINENT CIVIL ENGINEERS.
Opinion Of John d. FERRIS, esq.
This distinguished engineer, the constructor of
the Croton aqueduc and its chief engineer, speak,
ing Of the sectional dock in letter to Mr.. Allen,
says: "My opinion is that tciH superseds all other
methods heretofore known and used for putting ves-
sells in condition for repair" and "et the thing be
once put in fair operation, and there be doubt
all others iciH cease 10 be used"
Opinion Of Horatio Alien, esq.
This gentleman Mr.. Jervis's principal assist
ant in that great work, and has submitted to Con
greSs an able pamphlet in favor of this plan detail
ing It's superior advantages over all others at large.
Opinion Of Gen. Vim Gibbs YMcyNeiH
This able and distinguished engineer, in letter to
Mr. Allen, speaking Of this plan, says THE con-
than ,uhi cb 4 4, h., a,