DRY DOCK OR FLOATING?

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1924, Page 5

DRY DOCK OR FLOATING?

THE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE

LABOUR .SEEKS EFFICIENCY AT LESS COST.

(UNHID PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (SXDNEI SL'N CABLE.) . (Received 31st January, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 30th January. The "Daily News" understands, \that Cabinet has had under review the sum of £9,500,000 for the- Singapore Base, which the late Government approved.. An important modification may now be announced. It is understood that the Admiralty, While insisting on the need for providing Singapore with a. modern dockyard in ' the interests of Imperial defence, is not obstinately wedded to the original plans, which envisaged a huge graving duck, capable of accommodating simultaneously two super-dreadnoughts. The excavation and equipment of such a great dock would account for a large percentage of the estimated outlay. There are two alternatives, both involving considerably less expense. ENLARGE EXISTING DOCK There is reason to believe that the Admiralty will adopt the 6ne or the other/ iustead of pressing for the completion of the original scheme. The ' first is to enlarge the existing drydock at Singapore, which is able i to take vessels 860 feet in length and 92 feet beam and 52 feet draught. If it is lengthened by 25 feet, widened 17 •feet, and deepened 15 feet, it will then be large enough for any vessel built or likely to be built, including H.M.S. Hood and the two new battleships. TOW OUT GERMAN FLOATERS The second cheaper and ,more practicable alternative Would be to send to Singapore one of the two ex-German monster ..floating docks. The largest of these has been repaired and lengthened at Chatham, and will now accommodate the largest British warship. Taking such a mammoth structure eight thousand miles of a sea journey to Sin j gapore'would be a difficult and hazardous undertaking, but big docks have been towed :as great distances without misadventure. ADVANTAGE OF MOBILITY Moreover, the dock could pass through the Suez Canal. Dredging would .be necessary at Singapore in order to berth, the dock, but the cost super-added to the towing charges would „bs insignificant compared with building a new dry-dock on the spot. From the naval viewpoint there is little to choose be- - tween dry and floating docks. They are equally efficient, but floating docks . have the additional advantage of mobility. A further reason in favour of .send, ing the ex-German dock is that it would bo immediately available. A graving dock would take years to. complete,, It is probable, therefore, that the Singapore scheme will be modified, making ,a substantial saving of public money. The Admiralty, nevertheless, intends to" press'for the 'completion of new Singapore ■workshops, naval magazines, and oil tanks, without which the Eastern Base iwould be unable to provide for the requirements pf a battle fleet.