The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-14
THE DRYDocK APPROPRIATION,

As was noted In recent Washington
dispatches. Senator Squire was instru-
mental In securing sa6o.ooo of the s2SO00o
estimated by the bureau of yards and
docks for completion of the Port Orchard
dry dock and necessary work In connec-
ton with its acceptance by the govern
ment. An examination of the debate on
this matter published in the Compression
al Record. discioses some interesting
facts. and. moreover. that good work wns
done by Mr.. Squire In securing nearly the
fun appropriation desired.
The appropriation as II came from the
house was S275,en. The senate committee
on appropriations had reduced Il to $780,
COZ. BY the efforts OF Senator Squire aft
ar detailed explanations Ii was finally
fixed at 500. o0o. Tho original contract
price for the work was s4si, sG5. 1t was
afterward increased on account OF length
enng the dock fifty feet and other addi-
tlonal work, not originally included. to
sso7 .aSf.st. THE expenditures on account
nr the work 70 March l. fS95. were s4s5.-
s62. -. OF which s4as. $3.50 was for the
contractors, leaving the amount still due
on the contract sisi .stso5. The previous
amounts appropriated aggregated sasoeoo
or the amount secured for the present
year. and which was made immediately
available. Sc. 500 Is TO be expended IN
dredging an entrance 90 the dock. This
item was s,ssssSo,etely Indispensable. 1t Is
expected that the contract win he COM
pieted early In the coming autumn. IL
requires tina. within thirty days after
the completion of the deck vessel shall
be pGt In 20 test IL. OF course this would
be Impossible unless n channel for en-
trance shall have been dredged from deep
water. which. had this appropriation not
been made could not have been done and
would have delayed acceptance OF the
work for year. involving the contractors
I'm serious losses. suhtecting the govern
ment TO a jnSiifiahie claim for damages
and preventing use Of the dock by gov
srument vessels.
The Port Orchard dry dock Is the great
est that has ever been constructed or
commenced by the United States govern
ment. II IS the greatest dry dock that
exists on the continent, OF America and
enc of the foBr or FIVE greatest in she
world. It's sost was originally estimated
az ssIa,eoa. yef Notwithstanding sts extern
sion by ATTY feet and ether notifications
made since work was begun. its total cost
will be nearly slaa. so less than estimated
~ the department a, Washington. AS
Senator Squire trathfaliy declared in
urging an appropriation for It's compile
tien. considering its size ard character,
II is the cheapest dry dock ever cos-
struoted in the wosld.'' IL IS Ell feet iong.
s@ts feet wide ana ~ feet 6eea There
are two dry docks NJ Mare island. one
= granite dock 49, feet long. ~ feet wide
and %sis feet deep. che o;her, sectional
wood" deek. having length ot 80 feet
q width or - feet ana only Is feet aeer-
The rev dock Is longer. wider and deeper
than either Of fhe others and VIII supply
need already seriously felt ard which,
with the assured increase 81 I'aeiac coass
commerce within shasnexs decade. viii be
absolutely indispensable.