Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-12-18
Starting Of New Marine Railway.

East Boston, Dec. 10, 1890 The new
railway just completed by the East Boston
Dry Dock Company at IA Border street
East Boston. was successfully started
yesterday in the presence Of large crowd
who had assembled TO witness the hauling
out of the first vessel upon il. which was
the barkentine Arthur C. Wade Of Port
land, Cos tons register, and in less than
minutes from the time She was placed on
the cradle. blocks adjusted, and everything
ready, she was hauled up AND ready for
work, and to-day the ship Grandee Of
Portsmouth, \. H., 1895 tons register was
hauled out with equal success. Every one
present familiar with such work expressed
their approval ovsr the improvement on
the old process, which has been discarded
by this company, who abandoned the dry
dock, which il took hours to hood and
pump out dry, using much valuable time;
but with railway the vessel is up above
ground, easier Of access for workmen, less
cost for hauling materials for repairs,
lighter TO work upon, and best of all, for
cleaning or painting wooden or iron yes
sells, as they are always exposed to the sun
and air. This railway il capable of taking
out vessels of about 1900 tons register,
and the widest side wheel steamers on the
Atlantic coast. Can take out vessels of
about 250 feet keel. The railway has been
constructed this season by II. J.. Crandal
Son, ably assisted by +. G. Brewer,
their foreman, of Portland, Me. The en-
CINE was designed by the Messrs Crandall,
and built by the Atlantic Works on new
plan, insuring very rapid work. The
boiler is Of the Galloway pattern, made by
the Edgewood Co. of Wilmington. Del.
chains made by the Empire Chain Co of
Philaip Dhia the iron work done Inv rpSrv
Preble of East Boston. brick build |
ing, two stories high, 80 by l0l feet. built
by NJ. S. G.. n. Miller, intended for
engine and boiler house, work shop, |
offices, etc. Is situated on the grounds. |
Carpenter work for the building done by |
John Hamilton and Joiner work by Sidney |
Peterson, both of East Boston. Wharyes |
and pile driving done by F. G. Whitcomb |
Of East Boston. The box, or dry dock, |
was removed TO make room for the new |
railway, but the other railway. capable of |
hauling out vessels up to 1000 tons regis |
ter. still remains, and the tracks will be |
extended up near the new head house. and |
the chain attached TO the new machinery. |
thereby taking the cradle up farther ont Of |
the water. A new feature of the railway |
Is patent keel blocks, which can be ad- |
justed by the hauling of a rope to the |
shape Of the keel of any vessel, and easily /
removed by few blows. SO there will be |
much saving to ship owners in case of |
putting in new keel. or a new shoe upon /
a vessel, in material and labor, loss of |
time, etc. The officers of this company |
are: President, John S. Emery; Treasurer. |
j. h. Whitaker; Directors. John S. Emery. I
Jos. p. Ellicot Jas. Baker, J. II. Whitaker,
Daniel S. Emery; Superintendent, Capt. |
Oscar G. Eaton, formerly of ships s. F. |
Hersey, Oneida and barque Penobscot,
who is well known in shipping circles. |
With the enlargement of Simpsons Dock, |
so that it will take vessels 4G5 feet in
length, Boston is now well provided with
railway and dock facilities for repairing
most any class of vessels.-Boston Jour
nal