The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-05-21
WILL BUILD AT ONCE,
$4,000 SHIP PLANT
Manitowoc Dry Dock Company
to Engage in Steel Vessel
Construction Work.
INSTALL MODERN. FIRST CLASS PLANT
Promises Made al Time of Sale of Burger
Yards About TO be FuIfiIIed-A Great
Boost for the City as Lake Port.

Assurances given at the time of the
sale Of the Burger shipyards to the
Manitowoc Dry Dock Company that
the yards aud docks would be enlarged
and operated on an extended base by
the addition of steel construction
plant are to be carried out official state
ment of the intention of the Company
having been given out during the week.
The plans outliued include the estab-
| lshment of a modern steel ship con-
struction plant that will have capacity
for the largest steel vessels afoat and
and work will be naugurated inn
mediately, insuring the completion of
the plant within a few months. A
dock 450 feet long, sixty feet wide and
with a depth of water eighteen feet
over the inter sills will be part of the
new plant, the estimated cost Of which
will be $50, 900 completed
Announcement of the proposed plans
Of the Company has attracted wide
spread interest Primarily the object
Of the Company is to provide accommo-
dations for the repair of the large steel
carferries that will in short time dis
place the smaller boats now in use on
| the cross-lake service, but the plant
will also make it possible for the Com
pany TO undertake the construction of
| steel steamers and compete in the build
| ing Of the ferries All machinery need
| ed for the work will he secured, modern
and improved aud the plant will be
thoroughly equipped in every depart
ment. Officers of the Company are
now In Chicago and the East to com
plete the purchase of material and
machinery which will be forwarded
here ut once. The Dry Dock Company
installed u minor steel plant for small
repairs some time ago and has perform.
ed some work, but with the enlarged
facilities and accommodations will be
enabled to accept the contracts for en-
tire construction of steel boats.
| bt VI % olCti sup
b hiding plant here has been under CON
sideration since first the new Company
assumed the control and management
of the Burger yards and the plans are
now definitely determined upon and
will be FASTENED to early consumation.
The building of two mammoth sheds
which will be part of the work, will be
under way in few days. That the
plan will be a factor in completion for
building of steel steamers in the general
trade, is made certain by the inquiries
which have been received. Contracts
are under consideration now for two
large steamers, one for the Northern
Michigan Transportation Company.
vessel 225 feet in length, entire steel
construction, and another for Chica-
go Company. If accepted, these con-
tracts will be the first completed.
The value which the plant will be TO
| Manitowoc cannot be estimated. 1t
will provide employment for largely
increased force of men and will bring
to the city number Of skilled
mechanics TO be in the service of the
Company Manitowoc has long since re-
cognized that the future of the City is
In its harbor and marine interests and
to these the plant will give decided
advantage. The large cost for the con-
struction Of steel vessel is another
consideration that will weigh when the
Company is in active competition and
enters the general field.
Officers and directors of the Manito-
voc Dry Dock Company are Thomas
Priudeville, Chicago Elisha Gunnel
Chicago; Char les West, and L. E. Geer.
city, Mr.. West Is the resident manager
of the Company and will have super
vision of the construction of the new
plant. The Company is capitalized for
sl5O,000. During the past year the busi.
ness of the shipyards has been largely
increased under the new management
and the city has reaped a great measure
OF benefit.