Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-25
THE GATES OPENED.
THE PURITAN GOES INTO THE NEWPORT
NEWS DRY-D0CK.
The Formal Celebration - Distinguisned
Persons rressnt--A Banquet and
speseh-Making.
tcorr..conaonco Of mo RIchmond pIspatch.l

NEWPORT NEWS, VA. April "a. 1889.
The formal opening OF the dry-dock mere
took place to-day. The monitor Puritah
was lowed here from Norfolk on yesterday
aud placed in position 10 enter as 5000 ~
the gate was moved. At 10 O'Clock ins
morning the steamer Magenta arrived from
Old Point with a number OF invited guests
on bosrd and the flooding OF the dock com
menced. Two hours later the gaze was
opened and the huge iron vessel was slowly
moved into the dock. A large NUMBER OF
ladies and gentlemen were present 10 VIII
ness the ceremonies Governor Lee arrived
at 1850 O'Clock and was warmly greeteu ny
his friends. Among the distinguished men
present were Governor Lee, Captain Mel
Vile. chief OF the Bureau OF CONSTRUCTION
and Engineering; General James A. Du-
mont, Congressman Cannon; Judge wei
ford. OF Richmond; Postmaster Glennsn'
OF Norfolk: Speaker Csrdwell, ef virginia;
CAPTAIN Brown. OF the United states navy,
and y, V. De Graw, southern manager OF
the United Press Association. Also. repre-
sentatiyes OF MANY Of the leading dailles-
the World, Herald, Washington fost'
Brooklyn Eagle, and others.
At 9 Z, n. a collation. was served IN the
SPACIOUS dining.rOom OF the Hotel war.
wick. 10 which large number Of invited
guests did full justice. Short speeches were
made by Governor Lee and others.
The dry-dock was commenced In June.
1887, and finished April II, 1889, at cost OF
$3.50, 600; its length is $50 feet, width at Top
leo feet. and az bottom 80 feet; depth, 30
feet. 1t can accommodate the largest sup III
the world. It was built by j. Il. simpson y
Co. under the direct supervision Of Mr.. W.
+. Simpson, aud Is owned by the Chesa-
peake Dry-DOck ana Construction Com-
pany, G. b. circuit, president. IL Is the
regular Simpson patent dock, and mas the
simpson patent for blocking and holding
the ship, said to be Of great merit by those
posted on such things. Two huge engines
OF 5O0.horse power each can pump out tne
dock in ninety SIX minutes, at the rate OF
81. 600 gallons per minute. The war-vessel
dockcd today is 500 feet long and 62 WIDE
and Will. Il IS said, be one Of the most forml-
dsble vessels in the navy when completed;
In connection with the dock and under
the same company is the immense ship'ysrd
now rapldly approaching completion. IL Is
situated to the right oil the dock facing tne
river. The ship-yard proper will be 3Slx
| 6S0 feet. A large machine. and boiler-house
il nearly finished. 5Ox30S feet. An IRON
working shop 2jxl20 feet is 10 be buiit at
once. The work OF filling in the dock Is
beng pushed, and 1t is sad that by July lst
the building Of q ship will be commenced.
All the machinery, &c, Is on the spot and
| will be IN position in a short time. Two
ships ore 10 be built for 1lr. Huntington for
the Brazilian Line as soon az possible. Both
dock ana yard are under the management
Of Mr. J. Blgeow, gentleman thoroughly
conyerssnt with the work aud fully qualified
for the position. lie states that he VIII be
able to build any Kind Of a ship desired.
Quite number OF northern capitalists are
here to-day. and It seems to be the impress
sion that this place has q great future before
it. Many ships IN port were decked out
with bunting to-day in honor OF the occa'
sion. IACL'