New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-09
The News of Brooklyn
NEED FOR A NEW DRYDOCK
A PROSPECT THAT ONE WILL BE BUILT
IN BROOKLYN.

ITS PROBABLE SITE THE ERIE BAsIN-TTIE GREAT
EXPENSE AN OBSTACLE TO THE WORK
PLANS SAID TO BE UNDER WAY.
There strong reasons for believing that an
immense drydock will be constructed in Brooklyn
without much delay There is an absolute need
for one, the recent troubles of the American
Line steamers ST. Paul and NewYork demonstrate.
Ships of their class. If injured, must go 10 New
port News or cross the Atlantic for repairs. The
largest dock in the port is in the Erie Basin.
When 1t built the modern steamers model
differed materially from that now prevailing.
Tho hull was carried down sharply and the dock
had no need of large space the floor. The
more recent plans entirely different. Vessels
like the New-York or Campania calculated 10
carry cargo, and the sides far more perpen-
dcular, with floor almost as vide as the beam.
This change has made the Erie Basin drydocks
inadequate for the ships OF to-day.
The largest vessels ever locked there, so far as
tonnage is concerned. the Augusta Victoria
and the First Bismarck. while the French Liner
La Tourane is the longest.
The ever-present possibility OF injury to the
great liners. without any drydock nearer than
Newport News, is II most serious consideration
Recently Mayor Strong. OF New York had the mat
ter under consideration. and in the interest OF bust
IL suggested that the city should build
docks similar 10 those at Liverpool, London or
Havre. Whether this initial move had anything
a
that plans well under way to construct such
a dock in the Erie Basin. large enough to take
any vessel aioat likely to be built for
some years
An expert steamship said to a Tribune re-
porter that in order to meet these requirements
the dock would have to be 700 feet long. 80
fee; wide the top and least GO feet wide on
the floor. with a draught of &c feet. allowing for
keel blocks feet deep
Some time ago the New-York Drydock and Re-
pair Company gave out a statement that the cor
pora,on intended to rebuild the smaller OF the
two chamber docks and enlarge 1t. The expert
referred said:
is in bad shape and a new gate for It would cost
least s50.0U 10 begin with. 1t would be far more
feasible 10 build an entirely new one either on tnc
present site, where the Anglo American stores
now stand. / have doubt that one Will be puiit
either there somewhere else in the port.
Tribune reporter called Yesterday at Inc once
York. 20 learn the views OF MI. Robns on me
question. but ne declined to talk on inc subject
II is more than likely, however, that such
project has any basis Of fact. he IL cognizaht OF
IT, as he Is generally recognized as the leading
man in the recent movement 20 consolidate al the
large drydocks IN the port under one manas.tnent
vestment Of large sum of money IN ino germ
drydock is the fac; that foreign ocean nner
ever docks here If by any possibility her owners
can avoid ii. The number OF great ocean steam
ers outside those OF the American Line that nave
locked in this country can he easily counted ana
the result is encouraging 10 wou!d-pe invest
some time ago It was said that the trans
atlantic lines would build dock IN jersey put ie
scheme seems 10 have fallen through. JOY IN.
present at least Every one admits me neen INA,
exists but the amount of money involved ana mo
decidedly nebulous prospects OF any adequate 70
turn have always been damper ON the PROJECT