LONDON'S NEW DOCK.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15023, 18 July 1914, Page 14

LONDON'S NEW DOCK.

PROGRESS OF THE WORK

(rHOM OTTR OWN COHHKSPOXDE.VT.)

LONDON. June 12

Two years ago tho construction was begun of tho new deep-water dock to the south of the Royal Albert Dock, ■which forms tho most important itoni in the Port of London Authority's programme of extensions and improvements "now in course o'' being carried oufc. Although the contract with Messrs S. Peart-on and Son contemplates a period of four years for its completion, considerable progress, has already been made with tho work, and it is even now .apparent that a great addition* to the existing dock system is in 1 course of realisation. Tlio sehomo prorides for an enclosed water area of G5 acres with a depth of 35ft. Tho general area .occupied by the new dock is at a low level. -It was formerly marshland, for the most part some seven feet below high-water mark in the Thames, which it adjoins, and -was only kept from being Hooded by tho river banks. Altogether some 4. ,000,000 cubic yards havo to be dealt with, and of this total about half bus been removod up to the present. Tho work of excavation is being carried on largely by means of two Jaud dredgers, each capable of removing over 2000 cubic yards o!" material every working day. In addition, two steam navvies are employed, together with a large number of grabs, cjorao excavation has al*o been done in connexion with the provision of a dry dock, which forms an essential portion of tho scheme. Tho work is sufficiently advanced to admit of substantial progress in tho concreting operations. The new dock will have an entrance lock SGOft long. 100 ft wide, and -loft deep below Trinity liigh-water. Here the concreting of the walls is well in hand, and a certain number of granite quoins are in position. Tho south quay wall of the dock itself, and the west, wall of the 100 ft passage leading to the adjoining Albert Dock, are also in course of construction.

Not only will ikis Albert Dock ( south) extension schomo provide for the larg<?st ships that are likely io enter this part of the Pftrt of London for some years to come, but it will bo specially equipped for facilitating the transmission of cargo to and froni lighters and barges. On tho south eido ot tho doclt there is provision for seven jetties, each 520 ft long. These jetties run parallel trith the qnay, at a short distance from it. tho intervening spaeo allowing of admission of lighters and barges. Cranes on the jetties will convey goods from the ship to these craft or on to the quay wall, as required. Barges can lie outsido the ship as well.