The daily union., 1846-06-29

convenience, simplicity, and perfect safety of this
plan; and do moi hesitate TO recommend II % the
government for the use Of the navy, IN our judg-
ment superior to an exeayated stone, or any other
plan Of dock known to US"
Opinion Of H. a. Norris, esq.
This able engineer, in a ettet to one Of the pro-
prietors speaking Of this plan says: 81 have exam
ined the extensive floating sectional dock ia this
city, and take great pleasure in adding my humble
testimony to the powerful array of merchants and
ship Wrghts who have already spoken on the sub
ect."
The opinion Of the chief engineer Of bureau of
yards and docks hos been given above.
Against this vast array Of testimony in favor Of
the sectional dock, stands almost alone, the opinion
Of Walter r. Johnson, professor Of chemistry, &c,
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 misled by the advocates Of the
balance dock speak favorably of the latter.
We respectfully ask whether there is any sufficient
ground for another commission TO investigate this
subject, when such 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 as preferable to all other' Where
and how could any commission be formed al all
comparable to the above Is 1t any reason be-
cause professor Of chemistry, &c, 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 two plans Of dock are 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 ad-
vantage OF 20 per cent in price Of docking or
what account are Professor Johnson's false theo.
res on stability against the facts illustrated in the
sectional dock in New York, in lis practical opera
ton in raising l,700 vessels and also against
the fact that the balance dock in Marsei les, in
France has actually sunk 10 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 in
New York from Marseilles, viz:
Sinking and total loss Of the balance dock IN Mar
SeiLiss.
"NEw YoKK, June 20, 1886.
"SH 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 Marseilles to this port We in
tended to have placed our ship in this balance dock
but upon our arrival al Marseilles the dock had
sunk and they unable 10 raise II; and II was
the opinion there lhat the dock would be aban-
doned without any attempt to raise it,
''DAY COULTER"
This fact Of the sinking Of the balance dock at
MarseIes 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 Msrseilles.
We apprehend that hereafter there 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