The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-15
FORMAL OPENING OF THE ERIE uay DOCK.

The Largest Dock In the Country Decking
Of the steamer Morning star.
The Erie Basin Dock Company formally opened their
mammoth dry dock, situated the foot Of Elizabeth
street. South Brooklyn Saturday last in the presence
Of large spectators Tho groat necessity
that has for 50 long time existed in the
lions offered 70 the shipping interest OF the port Of New
York for the docking and repairing OF vessels OF heavy
tonnage has always been serious nconv en!ence to this
CITY, and the Erie Basin Dock Company have done
public service In building 30 large dock, from which
they will undoubtedly reap handsome benefits. Tho
company formed In 1894 with capital OF $700, 900
with liberty 70 to 81 900 oOo Twenty OF
land. mostly under water procured Elnsbeth
street. Van Brunt and the 9Th OF July 1854 the
work commenced by building Golfer dam. for the
purpose OF keeping the from tho enclosure for
the construction Of the dock BY tho 9th or September
1865 tho dock was completed tho gatehead Goacd to
its place. and the part OF the Golfer dam At the entrance
70 the dock removed.
Tho dock rs Of wood, secured by iron bolts, with
length top OF 500 feet and 40 feet 81 the bottom
There two grooves for the floating gate one lfty
foot further out than tho Inside Tho width IL 10
feet top, and feet al the bottom, while the
gate IL ninety feet wide the depth IL twenty -four feet
with depth OF water at high tide Of eighteen feet and
four feet moro water bo pumped In after tho gate IL
closed 70 that vessel be securely placed the
stocks Six thousand round plea werc uscd In the
work. from 10 twenty-five feet In iongh and 900
OF solid running piles In tho dam. The foundation Of
the dock II Of solid wood Of which 20 900 cubic feet
have been used The total OF wood used In tho
construction q $50 900 cubic feet The hood gate Is
deep and when raised two feet floats ~ a boat, and
windlass on ~ run by tho pumping engine 90 that y
almost works itself Al each side and tho upper end of
the dock tho descent II by steps nine inches wide by
eleven tread that 10 reach any part OF the vessel IN the
cuivert 70 well afecn feet in diameter and Ave feet
below the bottom OF tho dock. From this dock two
cuverts run 10 the pumps which are bbsrds ccntrfu
gal each throwing 3d. 900 gallons OF wser per minute
through other culvcrs TO tho water outside the docka
horizontal engine Of one hundred horse power,
with gear wheel sixteen feet In diameter. works tho
pumps and the coas on this gear wheel arc made Of
maple wood and work against iron wheels three
feet In diameter connecting with both pumps citbsr OF
which can DO used st will Suction pumps thirty
inches In diameter uscd In the cuvevts-of which
leads way and the osbsr the other way-ars
gaies by OF which the water be pumped into
out from tho dock by the same pumps. rhe engine
house Of brick sixty -four by for,ytwo feet and two
stories In height Along the west side of the dock ware
being built In which cargoes 70 he stored
that vessels be repaired and unoadcd loaded
one and the Same time They 10 be seveu hundred
feet long by one hundred and forty vide and four stories
high except the two centre Ones which arc be ave-
stories high. The walls twcntyfour inches
thick. On the southeast xde another dry dock s
being built, which Ia 10 BE- the plan, but not
long large tho already construcsd Iron works
have Just been completed the Erie Basin and will
be ~ great 70 the ~ vessels their
chinery be repaired while other being done
on their vessels and their cArgoos unlosded
About nye hundred invited guests .ere present a. the
opening, among whom were many shipping merchants
and agents representing tho shipping interests Of New
York and Boston, besides several distinguished members
OF the bar and Common Council % Brooklyn. Al half
past the company begun 10 assemble In the hall
the engine room where . sumpsoous banquet Wa
spread BY the company for the entertainment % those
who were present Mr. j. y Robnson. President Of the
Company, opsned the proceedings with few ntrodnc
tory remarks complimentary 70 the energy and genius
OF tho engineer and director u the work. Mr. Smpson,
and congratnlsng the merchants OF this cay this
much needed acquisition Ia the requirements Of the
shipping community The many improvements In the
dry dock were aiso subjects Of his encomiumg.
Mr. simpson then forward and after thank.
ing the guests for their attendcDce upon the occason
and the tribute given bis humble endeavors percc,
the work. shown In Their applause al Tho remarks of
the previous speaker lie classified and suocinct
account Of the rise progress and completion 81 the
terprse The company then parook Of The elegant and
liberal repaat which adorned the tables 20 which ample
justice done The officers o. the New Dry Dock Com.
pany - r. Robinson, President; Alfred A Reed.
Treasurer; Henry ~ sturgss, Simns Nathaniel Hoop
and Frank Boyd, Director hr. tfebed, snperntsn-
den, % Works, and n ~ rsd. Drsngbtsmsn
The steamship Morning star, Captain Nelson. which
has the honor be the rst weasel taken the dry
dock sister ship Of the Evening star, which vas re-
Gently ost, and belongs 10 the sane line She hrst
cas vc~ss and has tho sppeanes o Astsuneh and sea
worthy craft, be- from inspection Of her
lotion hul NJ she now lice the dry dock Che vii
UNDERGO slight repairs such caulking and paint
inc aud will take hor place the line for Se~ Orleans
about "Wednesday ner,, for Which port abe VIII sali 90
he 10th instant