The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-07
GRAND IMPROVEMENT AT RocKErTs-Ex.

GRAND lMPRDN EMENT Al INOthbiio -"
TENsIvE WHARF AND SHED.-The most
commodious, substantial, and convenient
Improvement for shipping purposes ever
made at Rockets Is just completed. IL
was built for Messrs. Samuel Ayres &
Co. for the accommodation Of the New
York and Richmond steam line, know as
the Old Dominion Steamship Company, for
which they are agents. 1t is alike credita-
BILE to their enterprise, practical Judgment,
and liberality. 1t is located at the upper
end of Rockets, just ninety-fve feet be-
low the ship-lock.
Description Of the Wharf.-The length
of the wharf is 24l feet width, 80 feet.
Foundation: 125 pillar piles of large size,
three tiers of cap-logs sixteen inches
square, fitted in the piles with mortice and
tenon, and sixty sleepers well set in, and
strongly fastened with four large bolts in
each sleeper. The whole is covered with
three-inch plank well laid down and fas-
tened with seven-inch spikes.
There are twelve fender piles Of the
heaviest description, secured by horizontal
chocks running from pile to pile, strongly
fastened by large iron bolts.
This wharf is one foot higher than the
one recently built by the same company,
and three feet higher than any other wharf
at Rockets. This gives it a great adyas-
tage in case Of freshet, as it will be the
last submerged and the first left bare by
the retiring flood.
The whole structure, in addition to the
bolt fastenings, is secured in an original
manner with strong clamps.
-r.,I xx,1,a arfx &c
built by Mr.. Charles J. Fox, the we'll
known and enterprising ship-carpenter of
this city. The piles were driven by Mr..
Elisha Bethel.
Description of the Shed.-The commo-
dious and admirable shed for the shelter
and security of the shipping business there
to be conducted is l2O by so feet, II feet
clear height, 5000 feet floor space, and
72, 900 clear space. The structure consists
of thirty y-nine white oak posts IL inches
square, in three rows (set in the ground
six feet deep, and supports wall-plate
covers 10 by IL inches.
The roof consists of thirteen principals
of substantial construction, trusses, braces,
bolts, &C.. perlins, jack-rafters, sheathing,
and tin covering.
The floor is of three-inch plank, laid on
white oak sleepers. The exterior is en-.
closed with planking, forming panels be.
tween the posts and having sliding doors on
all sides. The office is partitioned off with
its floor several feet higher than the main
floor, putting it still further above the
reach of the freshes. 1t is enclosed with
partitions of sash, and is conveniently and
handsomely furnished.
This admirable shed was constructed
by Messrs. John & George Gibson. The
tin work and gaS-fitting was done by
Messrs. Yale, Bowers s. Yale. The paint
ing by X. l.. Tucker.
This improvement is not only an orna-
ment to Rockets, but convenience and
benefit to the mercantile community. 1t
is credtable to the enterprise and pub
lie spirit of Messrs. Ayers & Go. There
is no finer wharf and shed anywhere none
equal to them for fine appearance and con-
venience even in New York.
There are reflections suggested by this
improvement that are grateful to all who
desire prosperity for Richmond. 1t is
made at a period of prostration and de-
spondency, and displays a confidence in
the future by the firm who incurs the out.
lay in its construction. OF course it is
based on their knowledge Of the tendency
of trade and their anticipations of the flu
ture of Richmond upon this basis. 1t is
the finest and most commodious structure
of the kind yet built in Richmond, sur
passing those of the best days of Rich
mOnd commerce before the war, and shows
that views of the future are expanding
the views, too, of business men who are
preparing for permanent and steadily
growing trade. These reflections must be
gratifying. AS far as they relate to the
future, they will be realized. If our owr
citizens are wanting in the spirit of en-.
terprise land we don't believe they are
to insure this future growth of our trade
and population, we shall have plenty Of
newcomers who will supply the means
and the energy to accomplish it. The ma
tural advantages of Richmond entitle it to
be one of the most fourishing inland
cities of the Continent and these advan-
tages being fully appreciated by strangers
there will be undoubtedly great influx OF
population and capital as soon as the State
is restored to the Union.