Model of a Ship’s Caisson
A dry dock is a repair yard for ships. For this purpose, a basin is closed off from the open water by means of a kind of lock gate: a caisson, or bateau-porte. Naval architect Glavimans designed a floating version of this structure. The wooden caisson was towed into the dock opening. Water was then pumped into the caisson so that it sank into the dock opening, fitting it exactly. Finally, the dock was drained and repairs to the ship’s hull could begin.