The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-27
Thc Proposed Richmond Dock ana
Dry.Dock Company.

the Proposed Richmond Dock ana
Dry-D0ck Company.
| To the Editor of the Dispatch
/ have read with much interest the pa-
per. signed by some ten OF our citizens,
/ referring to the proposed incorporation OF
the Richmond Dock and Dry-Dock Com
many. published in your yesterdays issue,
and desire 10 add few words In support
Of the scheme proposed, il understand it
rightly. need hardly remind you that 1
was the advocate OF a similar enterprise
for the most part, ! may say identically,
the same, as will appear by reference to
your issues OF the DIST OF June, 10Th OF
July, and Goth OF September, 1882. The
fourth article. In manuscript still, was
never printed, because l feared there was
great lack OF interest in the matter.
4 am ,gratified TO perceive that i was.
after ali, not alone, IN conceiving that
there was ga great work for Richmond Z"
fas nv articles were headed) in this matter
of sbip-basin or dock, since others have
come TO the front OF greater influence and
possessing, l have no doubt, fuller in-
formation on the subject than /.
And vet, IL you will give me space for
lYcW lines III li1lS liittt WIN bhsNhy 7bN''
some views on the subject, needless as
advocates would appear 10 be for sup
port of measure OF such boundless merit.
The general features OF resemblance OF To-
cations for shipping conceal from the ave-
rlge observer the peculiar advantages OF
some over others, and therefore 1t is this
apparent sameness that fails to awaken In
terest IN some locations for docks and ship
wards which possess indeed the greater
merit. and we believe that of Richmond to
be such an one.
Water, coal, iron. timber, and genial eli.
mate abound in every direction; and yet
there are vast differences in locations, as
calculated TO secure triumphant results,
even where they are approximately related
AS TO distance, or within the same, or nearly
the same, section. and blessed with the
same general advantages. 1t is the margi-
nal differences OF slightly dissimilar plans
OF construction or methods OF production
that make the adequate or astonishing
lpro6ts between almost equally plausible
Enterprises. We often hear 1t said thai
There is nothing to be made at farming,
when we must know that il is the aggre-
gate production OF that great division, hui
Imam industry, that supports the world,
aided by the spontaneous growth OF fruits
land the food from the waters, while slight
Ily favorable locations as 10 soil or irriga-
ition, with skilful and untiring effort.
hiring TO the farmer harvest OF bountiful
production.
Now, it is Just where we find some cir
Icumstance, or combination OF circum-
stances, or condition that are peculiar to a
location, though apparently trifiing III
themselves, that in fact constitute the ba-
sis Of magnificent results, and serve to as.
sure observant and calculating minds OF
the vast advantages OF such locations over
thousands OF others. just so in this mat
tier OF dock for ship-building, for har'
Dor for ships of war and commerce, for re-
pair and safety, Richmond as a location
has superintendent advantages.
We have a climate favoring operations
Throughout the year; we are at the head OF
Underwater, surrounded by a rolling surface
laboundiug in pure water and free from
miasm. The James Is q bold stream, in
creasing the flow of the tides and supply
| ing fresh water to the vessels that would
ride in safety in her docks and be relieved
of their barnacles and demonstrations OF the
sea-salt. We have vast beds Of coal OF
every variety, and ir0n-furnaces OF great
yield, approximately near and supplying
these minerals at prices that will compete
lfayorably with other markets. We have
within easy and cheap access vast quaint
ties OF the best timbers. Now, il any one
or all OF these conditions give margin
of one cent OH the 800 over Other
places our fortune is made, or, what
is the same thing, the fortune of those who
may engage in such enterprise is secured
The vast constructions that will be concen'
Itrated here, and the multiplying results Of
reproductive energy and profit, would
establish untold wealth for the enterprise
land niagara Of fortune in the economy Of
the Government in the construction and
safety OF its vessels, and OF commerce III
1.-THE benefcent aids and comforts it would
derive. Freed from the agitation OF the rest
Hess tides, here ships would load and UNLOAD
with facility and comfort, uniniured by chat
ling, and accessible to repair and equip
Iment as il absolutely stationary. But above
alt, the destroying saltwater worm, that
riddles the largest vessels in a short time
is not only left behind them, but such al
have entered the timbers are readily killed
while the sailors aud ships company arr
inyigorated by inland brecZes and UPLAND
waters that break the force Of approaching
scuryy and restore the happiness OF the
iolly tar.
Let us see how this margin OF cent In
the 500 would work. Take two lines Of
railroad transportation equally equipped
ieycry way; give one an average maximum
grade of 90 feet and the other OF 40 feet
land the 40-ioot-grade line could work
cheapest, and therefore get all the tonnage
for the advantage would be permanent and
iusurmountable to the other.
4 Richmond is progressing fast, notwith'
standing the tendency Of the day to LIVING
lsumptuously. Her people own and have
interests in many vessels which might as
. well have been built here, and it should be
remembered that wealth is more concerned
. in its permanency and preservation thar
in Its duplication. Wealth seeks invest
ments that establish the indubitable re-
turn Of interest for long periods OF time
so that when 1t is inteligently directed tt
the construction Of enduring works of grea
usefulness aud profit, it happily engages
i'm them as relief from the turmoils o.
speculation.
We hope. though we have no connection
whatever with the proposed enterprise and
no sufficient knowledge Of Its details, that
the Legislature will grant the incorpora
ton, and give those who would locate cap.
itaI in our midst fair showing. Capital
must always seek association with the vast
productions Of the earth, and here Rich
mond, in the centre OF the outlet TO tht
ocean OF the greatest producing belt Of
chsistendom, invites Prince Fortune to fine
hanDy homes c.