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1399.] MARINE REVIEW. 15 work extending through a long term of years. The proponents of the timber dry dock point to the large cost of these two dry docks in every comparison, and are silent as to the moderate cost of the two masonry dry docks at Boston and Norfolk, which were built under more favorable circumstances. In the long run the timber dry dock is much more ex- pensive than one of masonry. A masonry dry dock, built by contract after public competition, can be built in about the same time as a timber dry dock, at a moderate increase of cost and a small annual outlay there- after for its maintenance, as against a timber dry dock about one-fourth cheaper in first cost, with a large annual expenditure for maintenance, amounting to a practical renewal every thirty years or less. "The experience the navy has-had with timber dry docks has demon- strated, if such demonstration were necessary, that such a dry dock is a temporary structure. Docks of this kind in private establishments, where the cost of repairs is being kept down to the lowest level, have not been very expensive in the early years of the dock's life, but at from twenty to twenty-five years of age they have required repairs so extensive in character as to amount to a practical rebuilding of the upper portion of the structure and frequently its entire reconstruction. Private docks have been cited as showing that when built of timber they require no extensive repairs for many years, but these structures are not kept in the state of repair which the government requires in all its works, and the results are showing that the extensive renewals or rebuilding in the case of these docks will come much earlier than in private docks. . Not-only are these repairs proving to be great in extent and cost, but they are carried on with inconvenience in the working of the dock or the entire suspension with reference to dry docks is to build of masonry of the most substantial character, those which once built of timber having long since abandoned such construction. It is believed that there is not a single example of this latter construction in timber to be found in the navy of any country which ranks as a good naval power. The estimation in which timber dry docks are held is well illustrated by the action of the German govern- ment in regard to granting a subsidy to a large graving dock to be built at Bremerhaven. A dock of the largest size was projected, and the government was ready to pay an annuity in order to have the use of the dock for naval purposes when occasion should require, but when it was met with a proposition to construct this dock of timber it declined to make the grant, and ultimately consented only upon condition that it should be built of masonry. The United States government is content with nothing but the best in respect of everything else constituting a part of the naval establishment, and it should be satisfied with nothing but the best dry docks." ° Rear Admiral Endicott asks for marine railways at Portsmouth, N. H., Brooklyn, N. Y., League Island, Pa.,; Norfolk, Va., Port Royal, S. C., and Mare Island, Cal. These railways are particularly requested, he says, in order that torpedo boats and small vessels may be taken out for repairs quickly, at small expense, and without recourse to the large dry docks needed for the use of larger vessels. AN INTERESTING GERMAN CABLE SHIP. The steamer Von Pobielski, the first cable vessel ever owned by the German government, was recently launched at the yard of David J. Dun- Photo cupyrighted, 1899, Detroit Photographic Co. HOLD OF A 6,000-fTON ORE CARRIER OF T _of its use, and these are considerations of much more importance in the _ Naval service. ee "Tt is of the utmost importance that a dry a Its collapse might prove to be exceedingly disastrous to property a life. A valuable war vessel, costing several millions of dollars and at taining hundreds of lives, should not be placed in a dry dock she vs not absolutely safe in every respect and about which there is no doubt. Accidents of more or less serious character have occurred in de a ber dry docks, but none has ever yet developed in a masonry ary ock, and the advantages of the latter in the matters of stability and sa ach ae immeasurably greater. Dry docks are structttres about which, ya a , 'there should be no doubt, and it is quite safe to sav that such freedom from risk in the case of a very deep dock can only be obtained nor Pee built of masonry. The highest authorities upon the construction sg = docks state that preference is. given to those of stone because of the ORR ay dock is a great work and should be, like other works bs structed for the United States government, of the best and most we stantial character, and an example in every respect of the ee ptac Mas in constructions of its class. All other first-class powers t 3 ee are building graving docks of masonry of the best. pipe WP eee ae enduring type. Their examples ought to be of value an acute i fluence in determining the question for us. These nations nae mia make 4 naval establishment the best in evefy respect, and™their'c > dock be absolutely safe. HE GREAT LAKES--STEAMER ANGELINE. lop & Co.; Port Glasgow. The vessel was built more with reference to the requirements. of cable repairing than cable laying. She is a twin- screw steamer of light draught and has @ length between perpendiculars of 255 feet with 35 feet. beam. Her two sets.of.engines will give her a speed of 13 knots when loaded, and her builders claim that this will make her the fastest cable vessel afloat. The ship is flush decked and is fitted throughout with electric lights, a search light and other modern improve- ments. The cable machine installed is of the largest size and of modern pattern. The steamer will be engaged principally in the repairing and laying of the German government cables in. the North sea, the Baltic and channel. American firms have secured' some -very handsome contracts for hachinery for the marine shops of the Chinese Eastern railroad to be established at Port Arthur. The Cleveland: Punch & Shear Co. of Cleve- land, has just shipped a set of bending rolls weighing 33,000 pounds, and the Hilles & Jones Co. of Wilmington, Del., included in a recent ship- ment a large punch and shears. The Nickel Plate road offers to students desiring to return home for the holiddys the special rate of oné and one-third fare for the round trip. Tickets will2be sold on the day school closes and the day immediately preceding, 'go0d returning to and inéluding the date school reconvenes, but not later than'Jan. 10, 1900. 182, Jan. 1.