New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-04-14
tn. Rival Dry Decks.

Our statement IN our Ohfy a'es~'' ~ '-"' -
referring 10 the relative merits OF the Balance ana
Sectional Floating Docks that the current OF opin
ion among men best qushhed TO Judge seemed 20
run in favor Of the former having been directly as
puted in public and in private we cite the TWO io'
loving testimonials from recent Southern papers
"a bearing forcibly on the point Knowing how
easily certificates and sgnstures are obtsined for
almost anything, we inquired and were satisfied
=. 70 which Of the rival Floating Docks Is most
generally adopted and built by men OF capacity
experience and means who are investing hs1r o'eH
money in the construction Of such Docks That
the Balance Dock has been 50 adopted almost or
quite exclusively. in several instances, for use 10
Europe. Asia and America. upon the report OF the
abest engineers and ship.builders, after careful
and unprejudiced examination Of each Dock in
practical operation at this port we have seen evil
deuce which we are confident cannot be gain
saved The following testimonials seem to as
conclusive as to the practical working Of the Bal
ance Dock
OAcs Of the Louisisns Dry Dock Compsny,
Nxw.ORLEASs March IS lsi7.
DEAR srs ! received this evening your note OF his
date have not copy Of my letter giving description
~ orr Dock but will give you such Information a. may
satisfy YOU After having determined on building
DOCK sent Mr.. John Hughes, practical shipouiider
Of res, experience the North. for toe purpose OF
making himself qusinted with all the different plans
for docking .hps He left here with strong prejudices
r fsver Of the Sectional Dock After spending ssvern
weeks In Nev.York, joined him: and found tns De
hsd altered bis opinion and was decidedly IN issoI OF
the Balance Dock Making myself also acquainted with
the merits OF this plan made az arrangement with MI
Gilbert the Ps,entee and al once proceeded TO oald
Dock after plans furnished by him. and under the SD
se sock /, 2ao feet lon and 6s feet wide inside and
capable OF receiving ship drawing not more than lof
feet water eng the greatest depth sshp can bring 10
over our bsr and all steamboats, not over 25 feet and
sosigkizs 1000 tons which 10 the lifting power OF the
Dock xiii The ga;s i0s the gates being 90 construct
cd and supported lie a horizontal floor OF the
Dock and made 70 receive keel blocks Tor the support
Of each end Of the boat
The Dock is managed with sres; facility and very
little expense Il is sunk IN an hour and pumped out IN
an hour and half thus requiring but p hours 70 dock
ship. and hsifthst time 10 dock steambost WEI
two small engines inch cylinder, p inch stroke,
small locomotive boiler 70 each. and each engine works
s square pumps about u inches diameter.
We took up the drst vessel the sth Of August last
and there las not been day since that II has not had
vessel in IT, and frequently three brs dTd 'oAo0Tcs a
once.
We have had no vessel exceeding 700 tons 10 offer
but we can take up any ship not over a5 feet ons and
no, drawing over l6t feet water. We have not been
obliged 20 make any repairs nor do we anticipate the
necessity Of making any for years
Thers - no percspibs motion 70, edreen7e Of ne
Dock xiii ship an IT, daring lAs stroHes Sases Of ri7d
- are Hoc yrsp5riHs aIias % bald dEothu DOos on
TX -" P'''' 's'' JOHN p. WHITNEY.
with the gate. sp as would be Necessary for vessel
exc~eding ue.s the Dock will admit ship OF
1000 tons. or = frssie with her full armament nc
The Charleston S. c. Mercury Of a recent date
has the following Editorial
The Philadelphia newspapers engaged in an sni-
mated discussion 10 the comparative merits OF the
Balance and Sectional Docks in reference to the adop
sb.fr Nv atafiOn
yishingto make ourselves party TO this controversy
we design gro bono pEblco TO make few statements In
regard 10 the Charleston Fosng Dock which has been
for the last two years, 10 successful operston.
By the poteness of Mr. Marsh, the proprietor we nai
an opportunity OF win 'ssing the operation ON Monday
last Of docking the Alliance ship OF about 5SO IONS
which grounded while entering our hsrbor some three
weeks since The ship taken into the dock every
thing standing and in three hours the dock wss pump
ed out and the carpenters at work IN replacing portion
of her false keel which knocked OF while sshore
II was expected that the ship would be completely re
paired and taken out Of dock yesterday
Upon inquiry learned that the dimensions OF this
dock follows length at bottom 1854 feet At top
l55 feet. width. at bottom 81 feet al top - feet
depth inside the plank shear 20 feet With ballast u
draws ~ feet water and It's lifting power 10 a3. tons for
every foo, Of hight Thus the Alliance Of $50 tons de
pressed the dock foot nine inches making It's dram
feet three inches the Lord HslfEgtoE OF no tone
burden with 900 tons ballast depressed the dock but
two feet The Unted States steamer Leydrs which has
been twice In the dock with all her armament on board
foot
The dock has been In upward OF two years dur
ing which Il hss done large and successful business
answering al the wants OF this port and accommodating
foreign vessels that have visited to avail hemseves OF
It's advantages And during this entire period not an
accdHf has occurred IN rs operations and has NOT eoH
single cent for rspdtrs All who have tried IT, have ex
pressed their unqualified appreciation, and some who
have had their vessels the Sectional Dock have de
csred their decided preference for this Mr. Marsh has
doubt that the Balance Dock when Of proper dmen'
sions will dock the largest ships Of Il would %
peculiarly applicable 10 the wants Of the Navy ara ~
Philadelphia account Of the small depth Of water TO
CURED not exceeding in the largest structure, more
than six feet beyond the actual drait OF the vessel u
be easily mOored ia slip or 10 the stream and IN
the latter case can dock and unlock vessels az slack
tide The Charleston Dock has been worked In the /
river for days where strong ebo snd food nce
runs without any Inconvenience from ia scuou. In ad
dion the largest shipofthe line, with Gil her srns
rnenl on board could be placed In the dock steamer
attached either SIDE and conveyed safely the bar
below Phisdelphs, where she might emerge INTO deep
wster.
CITY ITEMS