The daily union., 1846-06-27

ing Of this plan, says "Your exposition Of the ns-
ture and advantages of the sectional dock is lucid
and complete that can only express my e1tue CON
eUpees in everything you have said on the sub
iect;n and, further, "the sectional floating dock,
combined with a basin in the manner you Indicate,
may Justly be viewed as one Of the riuBphs Of mod
srn science and mechanical skill the nIder and
more simpe contnyaDces Of those who have gone
before us and make no doubt but what it will ere
long receive general preference Ousr The stone docks
as steam ships sailing vessels, and railroads
and locomotives over the primitive turnpike and
horse teams"
Opinion Of b, H. Lairobs, esq,
This able engineer, in letter TO Mr.. Allen,
speaking Of this subject says; Your arguments To
show the superiority of the sectional dock In every
point of view are, TO my mind, quite conclusive" B"
Opinion Of T, s. BrOt0n, esq.
This able engineer, now chief engineer Of the
New York and Erie Railroad, speaking Of this
plan, On connexion with several other eiya eDgl-
neers less known to the publie,) says; 1--WE cheer.
fully express entire confidence in the Utility,
convenience, simplicity, and perfect safety Of this
plan; and do not hesitate TO recommend II to the
government for the of the navy, as in our judg-
ment superior TO an excayated stone, or any other
plan ofdock 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: 81 have exam
med the extensive floating sectional dock in this
city, and take great pleasure in adding my humble
testimony to the powerful array Of merchants and
shp-wrighH 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 alone, the opinion
of Walter r. Johnson, professor OF chemistry, &c.
in favor Of the balance dock interested in IL.
Commodore Stewart, and a very few others, who
are evidently ignorant OF the sectional plan, and
have probably been mised by the advocates of the
balance dock, speak fayurably Of the latter.
We respectfully ask whether there issny 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 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 a professor Of chemistry, &c, gets together
a purcel Of glass and TIN cups and boxes, and lee
lures on their stability, that new commission
should be appointed, when the Jiet is propsd that
the two plans of dock in operation near 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 OF
what account are Professor Johnson's false theo.
res 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 aga nst
The fact that the balance dock in Marse les in
France has actually sunk 10 the bottom and Is totaLi
Loa2 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 Marseiles, viz:
Sinking and total loss Of the balance dock in Mar
settles.
"NEw YoRK, June 20, lS46.
"SIR 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 jus,
arrived from Marseilles to this port. We in
tended to have placed ship in this balance dock;
but upon our arrival at Marseilles the dock had
sunk and they were unable to raise it; and IT was
the opinion there that the dock would be aban-
doned without any attempt to raise II.
"Respec,fuly yours,
This fact of the sinking of the balance dock nj
Marseies is confirmed by the statement of George
Morse, ESQ.,, merchant Of that city, lately arrived
in this country, in the ship ArcoIe Of the new line
Of packets from New York to Marsellles.
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