Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-14
GOVERNMENT MAY
LOCATE DRYD0CK
IN WILMINGTON
Emergency Fleet Representative
Here Looking Over the
Situation.
coon SITE EXAMINED

In connection with the program of
The Emergency Fleet Corporation TO
establish a series of drydocks along the
Delaware river-eight or ten, according
10 rcport-a representative of the gov
crnmcnt has been in Wilmington during
the current week in conference with
officials and others relative to the availa-
blitv of sites here, in the event OF Viii
minrton being selected rs the place
for one of the drydocks.
The agent also visited several suggest
ed sites, being impressed most, 1T Is said,
bv one Just inside the mouth OF the
Christiana river, on she snuth sloe,
which abuts a proposed development
by the Board of Harbor Commissioners
for the citv. 1t is said to offer admirable
facilities, being sufficiently largo and
protected from any river conditions
which might be considered annoying
in severe weather.
There is already one drydock IN VIII
lnington, and a very good one at that,
while there is also good marine railway,
both of which are utilized IN taking boats
out Of the water for hull repairs. The
Crvdock is at The Harlan shIpyard and
the marine railway at the plant Of the
American ca and Foundry Go. Neither
Of these is large enough to accommodate
the larger boats, hence the desire Of the
government TO have drydocks, right on
the river. and large enough 10 take care
of the largest craft plying IN these waters.
The government will need great deal
in the matter of this sort of facilities IN
order 10 follow up the intensive shipbmid-
ing program which has been IN progress
during the war and which is being con
tinued The boats that have been built
l~,~ ~. 10
taken care of and it is understood to be
the intention 10 get the docks In working
shape by the time their services are really
needed
Several of the proposed drydocks will,
il is understood be located at or near
philadelphia Some obstacles have been
met there. il is said, by high prices asked
for some of the land. Chester will prob
ably get one. In fact, il is said that salts
factory terms have already been offered
there. presumably by the Sun ShIpbmld
ing Co. while other communities arc
interesting themselves in efforts to get
,ome Of the docks.
The Chamber Of Commerce OF Whining
on will il is expected, interest itself IN the
fort to have at least one of the docks
here. and in that behalf 1t may be ad-
isablc also TO interest the States dele
ton in Congress.
WOULD HAVE TO RAIsE 81 900 900.
When Charles Warner, president Of
he Harbor Commission, was asked
today whether members of the board
had been seen BY the government agent
he said there had been some informal
talk ON the subject. but nothing definite
has developed John Meigs Of Philadel-
phia. an officer Of the Shipping Board,
who was here Yesterday on another matter,
was asked by Mr. Warner concerning
the financial possibilities OF locating
dock project here. Mr.. Melgs was Op-
iImistir on the subject, but at that time
had no definite information IN regard
u the local situation with regard to
filahcinc.
To establish a government drydock
here. II Is understood, would require
an outlay of $500 000. The govern
ment has made the general offer, all
over the country, To do the major part
of the financing OF these projects. II
will put up 20 per cent of the cash in
each inst nee ii local capital will pro-
vide the other 30 per cent and will give
a mort gage for the 20 The government
also offers to make Il rebate Of 30 per
cent IF the mortgage IS retired within
tivc wears. 20 II Is necessary. If Whining
ton i to have one OF the drvdocks, for
local capitalists 10 raise about 81 ,000,-
900 Ii this IS done the project is assured.
What the government wants Is not
only drydock by itself, but adequate
shops, tools. devices, etc, for handling
ships and making all sorts OF repairs
il would be quite a plant, substantially
the same as those Tor building ships,
except that TO ships would be built,
all Of the energy being devoted to re-
pair work The government wants about
20 of these concerns IN different parts
OF the country, but up TO the present
time the South IS the only section that
has fastened to do It's part IN the fnanc-
ing program.