National Republican., 1875-09-07
PROPOSALS FOR BUILDING AN IRON
Z SECTIONAL BALANCE DRY DOCK.
NAVY DEPARTMENT

NAVY DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, u. c.. July %, 1875. Z
Sealed Proposals, ,irdOrsed "PT0poSdiS for Build
ing an Iron Sectional Balance DRY Dock," will! be
received at the Navy Department until II O'Clock
m. on the 18th day Of September next, from dry
dock builders, manufacturers and mechanics &C
he materials T :or and ~ the U buiIdnS Of two sec
tions of an Iron Sectional Balance Dry Dock at
the Nary Yard, Pensacola, Florida;
Said dock to be erected and used In a basin in
said yard 35S feet in length and 110 7100 feet In
width.
ing dime ensioDs, viz: Width, los feet; length, SO
feet6 inches; depth IL feet; and to have a dis
placement above its own weight, when completed,
ready for use, Of about 800 tons.
The general plans and specifications for the
whole Of this dock have been adopted, and may be
seen and examined at the Navy Department.
These plans and specifications are, however,
adopted and assumed by the Government only as
the general plans and specifications controlling
the general character and dimensions of the dock,
not as guaranteeing its strength, capacity and
successful operation. But the contractor must
assume and approve them to that extent, and Will
be himself held responsible that they are suitable
and sufficient for the purpose desired, and also
for the strength, capacity and successful opera
tion Of the DOCK, when builf, for two years after
1t has b. tested and found to be ready tor use.
No Increase OF size and general dimensions will
be permitted without the express sanction OF the
Department
The contractor will also furnish, for one section,
called the engine section, two upright beam en-
gines and boilers, with all the necessary pumps,
water tanks Ishatting, gearing, machinery and at
tactments of sufficient strength and power to
raise the dock of six sections with vessel of go
tons weight upon it, in one hour
The engines and boilers will be protected by a
suitable hOdse, TO be built of charcoal iron.
The plans of the engines and boilers, with specl-
fications in detail, must be approved by an engt-
neer of the United States navy, to be appointed
by the Department for that duty.
The materials used in building said dock must
be- in all its parts, of the best quality Of beam,
angle and plate charcoal iron, and must be able
to stand the regulation tests for strength and
toughness of iron used for building iron vessels of
war
The whole structure will be built under the in
spection of the superintendent appointed by the
Department, who will have authority to reject
any material portion OF the work not considered
by him to be Of proper quality and workman
ship.
The contractor will be required to give security
in the amount of 500 900, with no. less than two
sureties, who will furnish the usual certificates
that they possess property free from incumbrance
equal to twice the amount for which they are held
as suretes that he will do the work and construct
the docks according TO his contractin all respects
and that the same will be sufficient in strength
and capacity, and will accomplish the purpose for
which II is designed, as set out IN this advertise
ment and in said contract, and that 1t viii operate
successfully for two years after 1t has been accept
ed for use.
The work will be completed and the two sections
ready for use within five months from the date Of
signing the contract.
Payments will be made in ten equal parts, as
the work progresses, upon bills duly certified to
Dy lne superintendent on Ine part OF the OOVern-
nent; the Government reserving twenty per cent.
COY Of the amount Of each bill as additional Sc
curiiy until the final completion and acceptance
of the work.
All STRAW bids" will be at once rejected, and
the Department reserves the right to reject any
bid from persons considered not competent to do
the work, and all bids not believed to be for the
interests of the Government; and, for the purpose
Of securing proper information on these points, Q
board Of officers consisting Of one line officer one
engineer and one constructor will be appointed
by the Department to examine the bids, and In
vestigate and report upon the experience and
ability Of the persons bidding, and the facilities
at their command for properly executing the
work required; and the Department will not
award the contract to any one of whom such re-
port is not, in all respects, satisfactory.
GEO. NJ. ROBSON,
auto Secretary of the Navy.