THE DRY-DocK QUESTION.
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a THE DRY-DOCK QUESTION.
yINHE idea is entertained by some persons that


perhaps another commission may be expe-
dent 10 determine the dry-doek question. This i'm
preston will cease TO exist when the facts IN the
case come to be duly considered


Commissions hare already acted.


Commissions have heretofore been appointed
and have reported to the Navy Department The
department has carefully weighed these reports; and
in a report from the secretary sent TO Congress IN
February, 1874, has formally adopted the sectional
dock, BASIN, und railways, and recommended as
preferable t0sf other plans. Al the head Of one OF
tbe commissions was the chief engineer Of the bu-
reau Of yards and docks, whose report says; "The
construction Of dock upon this plan, capable Of
raising the largest ships oftheline would be prac-
ucable !" and that "it affords more extensive ia
cilites than any other plan"


Thus it appears that the question has already gone
through the ordeal Of commissions in due form, and
that The decision Of the department upon their re-
ports has been in favor Of this plan


a broader eomnlissOu-ihai Of practical men.
In addition to formal commissions on this subject,
the government has the benefit Of the opinions Of
nearly all the scientific and practical men m the
country-the best and most extensive commission
in the world-in favor Of the sectional plan over
ali others. They may be briefly summed up, al
foloWs-yiZ:


Opinion Of ht .Nste York shp-budsrs,


Who ALL, without exception, say, speaking Of
the sectional dock after giving their reasons, that
"these advantages, among others, in our opinion,
render il much superior to the balance dock" and
again, in another certificate, they say, 1--WE have no
hesitation in declaring 1t, IN our opinion, The best
plan Of dy-doek kn0,on 10 Us"


Opinion ofaH The principal NSW York shiPOtonsr',
Who, in their memorial to Congress- after giving
their reasons in favor Of the sectional Dock say:
"On these accounts and others, prcter Il 10 any


l. L. a. lFR,,x
edge


Opinion Of all The Sitdmboal-Ornsrs Of .Neo York,
Who say, 1--WE unhestatingly pronounce it Uhe
sectional dOck) the best plan Of drydoek that we
know Of for taking up steamboats, for repairs"


Opinion Of Capt. Gregory, s. NJ


This distinguished officer says Of this plan, it is
"the most SAFE economical and expeditions mode Of
constructing dry dock, and that II be construct
ed so TO answer all The purposes required IN
naval establishment"


Opinion Of Com. Jacob Jones, U. s. NJ


This distinguished officer, in report to the Sec
retary Of the Navy, (of which there is no copy at
hand speaks Of the sectional dock greatly pref
cradle to the balance dock, and, in connexIon with
the basin and railways, as an improvement Of Inn
fnense value to a naval establishment.


Opinion Of Com. L. Ksarney, U. s. ~
This distinguished naval officer, in letter to a
member Of Congress, says: "The sectional docks
I,ootd prefer at Philadelphia, and any other ports
where the difficulties rected certain supposed diff
sulties at the Pensacola navy-yard) do not exist"


Opinion Of the .4meriean Institute


A committee Of this scientific body was appoint
ed to examine this and other floating docks and re-
ported that they felt assured Of its extensive adop-
tion, and cheerfuy expressed their opinion of its
rpsrioriiy over any other floating dry-dock or work
Of this description which had come to their knowl-
edge"


Opinion Of The president Of the Franktn Institute.
J. V. Merrick, esq, OF Philadelph president of
this valuable institution, was appointed as chairman
Of committee of citizens to examine this and the
balance dock, and reported that he decidedly pre-
ferred this pan and added that its connexion with
a permanent stone basin and system of railways,
by which may, with little cost, and entire facility,
enable the government TO lay up their ships in Or
dinary and hence very much add to their durabili-
ty give it decided advantage the stone dock,
which has hitherto been deemed the best appliance
for the purpose"


Opinion Of Foster Rhodes, esq, Uaited States narGi


constructor.


This eminent naval architect, the constructor of
the feet and dry-dock Of the Grand Segnor at Con-
stantinople, in letter to the Hon. NJ G Leonard,
late member Of Congress, says OF this plan, "if the
sectional floating dry dock, with basin and three
railways constructed in the best manner,
sod be Of equal paiu 10, and afford more facilities,
than ttoo ercapdted stone docks"


Opinion Of DR.. Non, president Of Union College.
This illustrous man, in a letter to member of
Congress-, speaking of this plan, says: "H ,ciH s,t-
persds The use Of al other docks hitherto known to
the public" and he recommends it, he says "under
the full belief of its claim to superiority every in
strument of the kind hitherto in use"


Opinion of Professor S, F. B. Morse, nuenior Of the


Telegraph.


This distinguished man, in letter to the Hon.
M G. Leonard, says: 81 have made myself ac-
quainted with the principles Of this floating dock,
and it appears to me to possess decided advantages
oper all that have seen, particularly in the mode
devised for laying up ships in ordinary and repair
ing them. cannot but concur in the opinion Of the
most eminent practical men, that such dock must be
of immense advantage introduced into the navy
yards of the United States"
Opinion Of H. NJ Shreepe, esq, inpenor Of the snag-


boat.


This ingenious man, speaking Of this plan in
letter to the Hon. F. j. Black, late member Of Con-
gress saws: al have no hesitation in giving my opn
ion decidedly in fapor Of The sectional floating dock, bd
sin, and raii,cays oper all Others have examined"
Opinion of the Secretary Of the Nary Mr.. Hensha,c.
This able and sound practical man sent two re-
ports TO Congress in favor of this plan, giving his
reasons for the adoption Of il by the department at
length. In his report in its favor for Pensacola,
(Senate document 1884, lst session 2Sh Congress



report submitted to Congress, expressed an opinion
in favor Of Dakn's plan of dock connected with rail-
tracks. This plan is believed to be eminently well
adapted to the locality of Pensacola and will un.
doubedly afford facilities greatly superior TO any er-
carafed stone dock that can be constructed"


OPINIONS OF EMINENT CIVIL ENGINEERS


Opinion Of John B. Jerpis, esq.


This distinguished engineer, the constructor of
the Croon aqueduct and its chief engineer, speak
nj hn n
says "My opinion is that II tciH s,perssde all other
methods heretofore known and used for putting ves-
sells in condition for repar;' and "et the thing be
put in fair operation and there can be no doubt
all others ,oiH soon cease 10 be used"


Opinion Of Hordtio Allen, esq.


This gentleman Mr. Jervis's principal assist
ant in that great work, and has submitted to Con-
gress able pamphlet in favor of this plan, detail
ing it's superior advantages all Others at large.


Opinion Of Gen. Nm. Gibbs HtgVsiH.


This able and distinguished engineer, in letter to
Mr.. Allen, speaking Of this plan, says "The con-
