The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-11
MAY BUY SPAIN'S DRY DOCK.
ROURKE & SON INTERESTED IN A
SCHEME TO SECURE 1T.

Company Offers IA Site for n Dry
Dock on the Eastern End of Its
Hutchinson Island Property-Mr.
ROurlSe Says New York Capitalists
Are Ready to Take Hold of the
EnterDrise-spain Refused $3.50, 900
From the United States for the Big
Dock at Havana, But 1t May BE
bought for Less Now.
After several months of tireless and well
directed efforts to get dry dock for the
port Of Savannah, Mr. John Rourke has
plans on foot which win in al probability
result in its accomplishment, provided the
plans which have been partly arranged do
not fall through because of the terms ex-
pected by parties with whom negotiations
are pending.
Mr.. Rourke's plan IS to organize q COM
pany 10 purchase from the Spanish gov
eminent, the mammoth floating dry dock
at Havana, which Spain has been endeav-
oring to sell for some time. Mr.. James A.
Hourke has just returned from Havana,
where he went TO see the dock in opera
tion and TO inspect it generally with a
view to determining whether IT. would be
suitable for Savannah. He was accom-
panied by a gentleman, who is still at
Havana as the representative of Rourke
&c Son, to Investigate further the cond ton
of the dock, and to gather such informa-
ton as possible purchasers would want
before further considering a deal. While
there are many considerations to weigh
before determining whether the dock
would he naWinp Investment mr. GaUap-
nah, it is understood that Mr. Rourke's
Impressions were favorable, and that he
considers the dock one that could be used
to advantage in the Savannah river.
Mr. Rourke went to Havana with letters
which put him in close touch with Capt.
Kamari, who represents the Spanish gov
eminent, and who is in charge Of the DICK.
Any propositions of purchase are properly
made 10 him. and then transmitted In reg
ular order to his government for its con-
slderation.
AS Mr.. Rourke was there to obtain cold
facts, he did not lose any time in getting
down to business, which his knowledge of
vessels of this kind enabled him TO do
readily. The dock is 450 feet long, 60 feet
wide and takes ON dead weight of II. 900
tons. The process of docking" vessel
is to sink the dock by filling its huge
compartments on either side with water,
which causes it to sink in the proper po-
be hoated into it. This done the water
in the compartments is removed by means
of pumps run by powerful electric mo-
tors and which allow the complete dis
charging of the tanks in short time.
AS the water is discharged and the dock
lightened the vessel is raised from the
water. 1t is stated it takes from four to
six men to raise a vessel high and dry.
1t IS also stated that with 1t any vessel
which visits this port may be easily ac-
commodated, as the dock was bought by
the Spaniards for the purpose of handling
mainly large size vessels.
Mr.. John Rourke said last night that he
could not say positively whether the Ha-
vana dock would be satisfactory here, but
if it Is he has no doubt he can organize
a company to buy 1t. While in New York
in September Mr.. Rourke met a number
of large capitalists, with whom he had
corresponded previously on the subject of
a dry dock for Savannah, and during this
conference he was given to understand that
they considered operating a dock here an
inviting investment.
''The success of the undertaking will de-
pend on two considerations" said Mr..
Rourke. First the dock must be one
that can be successfully operated, ana,
second, the owners must offer it at rea-
sonable price. / am told our government
offered the Spanish government $3.50, 900 for
this property some time ago, but that the
OiLeT was refused. Inc dock was built in
England, and is said to have cost 81, Co.,
CG0. During the war with Spain the Brit
ish flag protected it, which explains how
it remained intact in the harbor of Ha-
vana during hostilities. While nothing
definite can be said at present Il is very
possible that a company of local and
Northern capitalists could be formed TO
buy the property, provided satisfactory
terms could be reached 1t was suggested
to me that the dock was too big for Sa-
vannah, but L say there is nothing too big
for Savannah. That an undertaking of
this kind will pay here is generally ad-
mitted."
For some time Mr.. Rourke has given
much thought to the building of dry docks
here. 1t is 40 his efforts that the Geor-
gia and Alabama Terminal Company Of
fered to donate to any company desiring
10 build docks or operate floating docks.
site at the east end of their island prop
erty. The company is interested in me
establishment of an industry of this kind
and has signifed in a general way its
Willingness to contribute literally to it.