The Cairo evening bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1868-1870, 1869-01-19
THE CAIRO DRY DOCKS.
Their Capacity, Their Work and their
superintendent.


!. D
| The day is not far distant when the superb
or advantages Cairo presents for the prosecu
i ton of boat-bui lding, will lead to the estab
lishment of that interest here, on scale tina
will be prominently distinguishing, ,., -
| An 'entering wedge" has been inserted BY
the Cairo Dry Dock company, who, during
the past three or four years, have been caVy
ing forward the business of docking and re-
pairing steamboats, to an extent Of which our
readers have no adequate idea.
| VI This company Is provided with first class
docks, embracing four sections, presenting an
extreme length of 255 feet and width, in the
clear Of 80 feet. Upon the wall of either
side is a complete thirty-horse power engine
that drives 10 pumps of 10 inches diameter
each, making in all SO pumps. With these,
and other appliances, the company is enabled
TO take large class steamers from the water in
the marvellous short space Of two hours. Once
out of the water, the employment of the force
of forty or fifty mechanics, always at the COM
pany's command, makes a thorough corking
involve only four or five days time; and the
displacement of the entire bottom by new
one not more than week or ten days.
The entire history of the company's opera
tions is one of success They have repaired
all sizes and kinds of steamers, according to
the various requirements of the owners, and
in no instance has dissatisfaction arisen on
the score of price, time involved character of
work or otherwise. On the contrary, the
leading river men Of the western and southern
waters cheerfully testify to the skill prompt
ness and honesty of the company's work.
In connection with the docks is one Of the
best saw mills in the northwest, being one Of
the very few mills that can cut timber of any
desired length. The company is thus con-
stantly supplied with an ample stock Of all
kind of plank and timber that enter into the
construction of steamboats,; the mill cutting
timber 10 supply extraordinary demands,
within a few hours after the receipt Of the
order.
From this showing 1t appears that we have
in Cairo, dry dock that answers the varied
demands growing out of the commerce Of the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers and their tribu-
taries; that We have the material at hand and
the mechanics at command to vigorously and
satisfactorily prosecute the work Of caulking |
and repairs and the facilities, generally, that |
will guaranty honestj jobs, expedition and low
prices.
The past year, although embracing seasons
Of great prostration in business, and great
financial embarrassment, was by no means an
idle year with the Cairo Dry Dock Co. Its
business caused the distribution, among our
mechanics and merchants Of more than thir-
ty thousand dollars, derived chiefly from the
dockage and repair of the following steam
boats and targes, which were received and
disposed of in the order in which they are
named: The Empire; Jennie Smith; Tennes-
see three times; chihuahua; Mary Mcdonald;
barges Selucia, Fawcett No. az, Fawcett No.
81, Faweett No. lG Fawcett No. 90; steamers
q. ID. Palmer, Argonau., Cumberland, Louisi-
ana Liberty No. ., Grampus, Commerce,
Mollie Hamilton, Gen. Anderson, Submarine
No IL, and the /. n. Kcllogg-the latter now
on docks.
The affairs Of the company and the direct
Of the work, are charged 10
that active and oblging gentleman and skill
full boat-builder, mr. George w. Streeter. He
has reputation in his line, that peculiarly
fits him for his present position and the up
building Of the business with which he Is con-
nected. His experience runs through many
years Of active service and those details with |
which he has not familiarzed himself are |
scarcely worth knowing. Time and again
steamboatmen, after closing their transactions |
with him, have testified 20 his skill as SUI
perintendent and his probity and uprightness
~ man, by the publication Of cards in the |
public print. ale is the right man in the
right place !" and the excellent and capacious
dry docks he controls are while at the juno
ton Of these great rivers, not less fortunately
situated