Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-03-28
PROPOSED NEW DOCK.
Portsmouth,, n. H.. AnxiOusIy Waits
It's Com I'll ct .On

ltS
PORTSMOUTHN.H n. March 27-The citizens
of Port rtSmouth are onSratulating themselves
on their good fortune in having the new dry
dock built here. 1t will be constructed of
timber and will be at least 700 feet long, ca
pable of taking in the largest vessels in the
navy. and some idea can be had of how it
will look from the accompanying picture
which shows the dock as it is being filled
with water, which is let In through large
traps at the end
The appropriation bill contains a pro-
vision for now dry dock at this sta
tion. and it lies within the power of
Maine and New Hampshire to keep it
there. As chairman Of the committee on naval
affairs Of the House, congressman BOutclle
of Maine will prove power in favor of the
dry dock bill. Chief engineer Philip Hichborn
was born at Charlestown. Mass, March 4.
1889 The descendant of an old colonial
family of unqurstioncd atriotism-Deborah
Hichborn being the mother of Paul Revere
and Of Il stock that later became one OF
the foremos. of those renowned ship-build-
ing and sca-fariny families Of New England,
Mr.. Hichborn' lifework has been the direct
result of inherited qualifications, put to
their best use. Graduated from the Boston
high school ut IL he was indcntured shortly
after, to the United States government as
a shipwright apprentice at the Charles
town navy yard. Isaac Touccy, Sec
retary of the navy, ordered that young
IIichbOrn should receive course of the
oretical training. Persuaded by his pre-
rcptor, Melvin Simmons. who had entered
the service as naval constructor. and had
been detailed to California for duty, Mr..
1ichborn. at 81. signed as carpenter of the
clipper-ship Dashing Wave. and sailed
from Boston for San Francisco in Aug. 1860.
Reaching San Francisco he worked for some
time with the Pacific Mail company, but
soon left to enter governmental employment
under Mr.. simmons at the navy yard Mt
Mare island, and from iourneyman ship
wright. rose, in two years, mt the age OF %,
to the responsible position Of master ship
wright of the station
In 1864 he was rendered an appointment
as assistant naval constructor, but declined
because the salary allowed was less than he
received as master shipwright. In 1869,
however, he made application for the posi-
ton he had previously refused, and after a
severe examination was duly appointed an
assistant naval constructor in June OF the
same year. Six years later he became full
constructor, having dstanced all his COM
pettOrs in u very vigorous examination.
In May 1870, he was detached from Mare
island and ordered to the navy yard at Ports
mouth. n. II. His departure was univer-
sally regretted. Upon the advent, in 1891,
of the present naval policy Of the United
States he was made member Of the
first naval advisory board and was
prominently associated with all matters af-
fccting the designing of Lew vessels, rs well
as the practical and us ful remodeling OF
the several old monitors Of doubtful utility.
In 1884 he was ordered to the navy depart
mcnt as assistant chief of the bureau of con-
struction and repairs and continued so un-
til his appointment us chief constructor, in
July. 1888
Of his inventive genius. the Franklin life
buoy. automatically ignitcd by the action OF
water on the phosphidc of colcium and the
Irhbom laibette turret, admired, compli-