The Portland daily press., 1869-09-23

;no and long before that time the invited
quests began to assemble and continued to ar
rive until noon, so that we should imagine that
at ~ o'clock there were almost Il thousand peo.
pile present Among the crowd it seemed as if
every interest in Portland was Represented.
and we conceded with remark made by
gentleman OF our acquaintance that he could
hardly remember when he had been to any
gathering of like nature where there were so.
many persons with whom he was acquainted
Among the distinguished gentlemen present
we noticed Charles A. Lambard, Esq, former
ly of Augusta but now of New York. whose
capital has aided largely in producing the hap
py result celebrated yesterday; Richard Ha-
ven, Esq, of Boston, who represented the in
surance interests; Augustine Haines, Esq, of
Biddeford; Collector Washburne, of Portland;
Hon. John Lynch, NJ. G, Hon. L. D. NJ Sweat,
Hon. w. L. Putnam, Mayor of Portland; H.
J. Libby, Esq, Treasurer International Steam
ship Co; Henry Fox, Esq, of the New York
line of steamers; Capt. j. b. Coyle, President
Portland & Boston Steam Packet CO.; Gen. S.
j. Anderson, President Portland g. Ogdens-
burg Railroad Co.; Jonas III. Perley, Esq,
President of Board of Trade, and many others.
Notwithstanding the lowering skies which
threatened to throw cold water on the ceremo-
MES, the road leading from the bridge over to
the dock was crowded with carriages, and the
"Mayiower," Capt. Harrison, which lay at the
Gas Company's wharf, was gaily decked out
with flags. the stars and stripes being placed
on the foremost, with signal flags below which
read II beg to acknowledge" The Ethel also
laid off in the stream, dressed in all her holt
day fnery, and at g. 81 o'clock, as the water be-
gan to be pumped into the dock, Commodore
Churchill fred gun out of compliment to the
Inauguration of this great enterprise. Through
two large culverts, or scuppers, in the floating
gate did the water pour in, and also through
another large culvert in the side of the dock.
There are four culverts in the gate, but the
other two were not opened for some time,
neither were the engines put to their full pow
or, as Mr.. Simpson was DESTROYS that no acct
dent should occur. The dock was filled in
precisely one hour, and the floating gate was
pumped out and taken out of the way in forty
five minutes thereafter. The brig Martha A.
Berry, which also displayed a handsome show
of bunting, was then taken into dock, reaching
her position by - O'Clock, and the steamer For
est City followed her example, so that the float
ing gate was got into position, all ready for
pumping out the dock at o'clock precisely.
The docking of the vessels was hailed with sa-
lutes from the Ethel, whistle from the tug
Tiger, and cheers for Capt. James E. Simpson
from the spectators who lined the sides of the
dock.
The invited guests then assembled aboard
the steamer, where an elegant cold collation.
had been provided by Barnum, plates being
laid for about four hundred. And we can tes-
tify from observation that SO good were the ap-
petites of the guests, and SO excellent the bill
of fare that we do not believe any fragments
were collected unless it may have been plate
of butter. Commend us TO Barnum for doing
the correct thing. After the banquet had been
properly discussed, Col. L. D. M. Sweat called
the company to order. He remarked that he
was aware of the satisfaction expressed by the
people of Portland at the conclusion of this
great enterprise. While taking great interest
and great pride in a work of so much import
ance to the whole country, he had also taken
an equal amount of interest in the man who
had borne the burden of the construction Of
this dry dock almost alone. He referred to
Capt. j. E. Simpson. While Capt. Simpson
had received aid from other quarters, but very
tile had been received from Portland This
was the sixth dock built by him. His plans
had been secuted in the first instances by men
of science, but they meet with the approval of
distinguished naval authorities of the present
day. as well as shipmasters all over the coun-
try. This dock, he remarked, was really the
second in size in the United States, for vessel
can enter into it carrying larger cargo than
she can into any other except one. He, how
ever, had not intended to give history of the
dock. He suggested that other gentlemen
shoald be called upon to express their senti-
ments and nominated Mayor Putnam for chair
man, who was elected with great applause.
Mayor Putnam remarked that he supposed
he was called upon owing to the unavoidable
absence of the Mayor of Cape Elizabeth
Naushter). He thanked the gentlemen pres
ent for being called upon to preside as chair
man on this mos. successful enterprise. Those
who can appreciate the difficulties under which
Capt. Simpson labored to establish this dry
dock, can understand what ought to be the
feelings of Portland people towards him TO-
day for the valuable addition he has made to
the commercial Importance of the city. He
was thankful when capital from abroad testi-
led its confidence in the commercial growth of
portland, aud also in Capt. Simpson, and he
called for three cheers for the man to whom
the Portland people owe so much to-day.
on
great cheering and applause, said he had not
expected any speech making OIL this occasion.
For three days and nights he had been hard at
work getting ready for this opening, but he
would endeavor to say few words. The gen.
Iiemen present can boast that this dry dock il
second to none in the country in regard to ca
pacity for receiving vessels. The length of the
Jock on the Gaping was 425 feet; width on cap
ing at widest part 100 feet; 46 feet vide on the
bottom; SO feet wide at the gate; q feet deep
at gate sill. There have been $3.50 spruce piles
driven, 1860 cubic feet Of timber, 355 900 feet
Of plank, 26 IL tons of spikes, SO tons of iron
bolts, $4,000 tree nails, COLL yards of excaya-
ion, $4,000 yards of filling, and work on the
lock was commenced with small number of
men in September, 1867 The engines and
'oilers were built by the Portland Company,
md the pumps by the Atlantic Company of
East Boston. He remarked that he first came
% Portland by invitation of Capt. j. w. Dyer
10 see what could be done in regard to a dry
lock. In 1864 committee composed of Hon.
Jacob Mcclellan, Andrew Spring and G. s.
Hunt, came to Boston to consult with him in
reference to dry dock. He told them what
could be done. The plan fell through. A year
after the Dry Dock Company was formed. The
officers of that company urged him in 1867 to
come down here and see if he couldu do some
hing; he came. He came to the conclusion
hat what was wanted was a committee of one.
He told the gentlemen if they would give the
property he would see what he could do. They
aid they couldn't do that, but eventually came
o terms for small amount, but required bonds
n the sum of $4,000, to be cancel led on COM
'letion of the dock. He asked the gentlemen
resent if they considered the bonds cancelled.
Loud cheers and shouts of yes! yes! and bully
or you). The dock would have been complet-
d six months ago if he had not been thwarted
y the Legislature He then mentioned some
II the disadvantages under which he had la
'ored, and said that the success of the day was
wing to the aid he had received from Mr..
Iambard, Col. Sweat, Mr.. Rich, the master
mechanic, Mr.. Bates and Capt Brown, the as
istants to MIR. Rich, Mr.. Young, the pile drv-
II superintendent, and Capt. Green, the Treas
lrer OF the Dry Dock Company. He thanked
he gentlemen for their courtesy in being pres
mt on the occasion, and trusted that the affair
1ad been pleasant one to them.