New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-22
| BIG DEYONPORT DOCKS.
Formally Opened by Prince Of Wales
and Named an His Honor.

Davenport. Eng, Feb. 21.-The great new
Keyham Docks which complete the most I'M
portant naval dockyardG scheme Of the BRUSH
Empire. were opened to-day by the Prince OF
Wales with considerable ceremony. The large
gathering of warshps sent here in honor OF the
occasion were dressed with bunting ana Ihe
harhor was CAV with flags as the prince. who
was accompa MED by the Princess Of Wales en-
barIled on the commander in chiefs yacht
Vivid and led a procession Of torpedo boats
through the lines of warships to the scene OF
the ceremony As the Vivid steamed into the
new docks she severed a barrier OF vari-coloreo
ribbons stretched across the entrance After
naming the docks Prince Of Wales Bas'n'
large company including the Prince and Pm
cess of Wales, the Admiralty officers, a num-
Der of naval officers and some civilians were
entertained at luncheon.
Disaereements between the naval and civ
ilian authorities regarding the latters par
ticipation in the ceremony resulted in notaoie
absence Of general decorations ashore and
caused the Mayor and corporation to refuse 10
attend the function.
The differences between the municipal authori-
ties at Davenport and the naval officials are due to
the fact that the former had taken steps to keep
pace with the boom resulting from the new govern
ment works, but prevented from so doing IN
several important particulars, owing to the Adj
mTaltyS plans TO iurtner improve t!e ne" II'Na
station.
It is claimed that with the opening Of the extern
sion Of the Davenport dockyard at Keyham the
British empire has been placed in possession OF a
naval centre and depot without parallel IN the
world. Devouport having been made a complete
and thoroughly equipped naval arsenal capable OF
building repairing fleet large enough ana pow
erful enough decide the fateS of nations ana en-
pres. The work begun in 1895. and the hrst
TWO years spent in incOsing the entire area
on its river side with Cofferdam two and three
quarter miles long. or the total area OF 10 acres
occupied by the works the most prominent feature
is the great closed basin of deep water tlrtN-lNe
and one half acres in extent. 1t communicates with
three docks each 740 feet long, % feet broad
and from A. to IS feet deep below the coping, as
well as with entrance lock of similar omen
sions The docks and basins are ali Enclosed ny q
massive quay wall 30 feet broad at its base ana
4.7G0 feet long 1885,,
on the land side Davenport has been defended by
senicirCle Of huge fortTesses, in many respects
similar to those Port Arthur. commanding every
possible approach the port Seward the. Ge-
fences are not apparent out they are excessively
strong and have been tested recently by SldGnn
night attacks" the part Of hostile Etsts- TO
such an extent has the work IF FORTH alton nenl
carried the port is now ClaSSsd as lmpleSHSoe
The cost Of the works is estimated at about ~
800 600 In the tidal BASIN alone eight uatleShpS az
the King Edward class can ne herthed Simulta-
neousIy while IN tho closed basin th"re Is room
sufficient accommodate tie who're British Chan
nei fleet. consisting Of fourteen batueshlps and
cruisers.