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1901.] MARINE REVIEW. 19 THE HAVANA DRY DOCK CO.'S NEW DOCK. The Havana Dry Dock Co., Havana, Cuba, has just forwarded to the Review a photograph of its new dry dock, docking its first vessel. This dry dock was recently completed and is of 5,600 tons capacity. It is oper- ated in conjunction with the Havana Iron Works. This dry dock was recently described in these columns but its general features are: Length of main box, 280 ft.; width of main box, 88 ft. 2 in.; length of each out- rigger outside of main box, 40 ft.; total length of dock at keel track, 360 ft.; height of main box at center, 11 it. 4 in.; height of main box at sides, 10 ft. 1 in.; height from bottom to top of keel track, 11 ft. 10 in.; height from bottom to top of keel blocks, 14 ft.; height from bottom to top of air boxes or wings, 36 ft. 11 in.; width between wings at top, 70 ft. The dock contains eighteen compartments, each provided with a flood gate. It is built of steel and is finely constructed throughout. An unusual fea- ture is its electric lighting equipment which permits its operation as well by night as by day. deep draught as they represent was impractical, owing to the treacherous ship channel to the sea. The rapid progress made by the contractors, however, who are dredging the new 30-ft, channel, warrants the belief that their labors will be largely completed by the time the Finland and Kroon- land are ready for sea. The abolition of the famous Dan Baker shoal near the head of the Delaware bay marks the first step in the formation of a channel capable of affording passage for the largest ocean-going craft from Philadelphia to the sea. The beginning of the work dates from the river and harbor act, passed by congress on March 3, 1899, appropriating $300,000. The Virginia Dredging Co., which has had for more than a year past four dredges working on the shoal under government contract, has withdrawn two of their machines and announces that tomorrow, Dec. 12, they will withdraw the remaining two. The Swedish steamship Drottning Sophia, from Wabana, N. F., is discharging at the Port Richmond wharves the largest cargo of iron ore ever brought to Philadelphia. It comprises 7,000 tons and five full days will be required to unload it. The Drottning Sophia, which is under com- @ is Rg « & ad o. B- 3 ak vee co . #oN eR ees Ss THE NEW DRY DOCK OF THE HAVANA DRY DOCK CO., DOCKING ITS FIRST SHIP. SHIP BUILDING IN PHILADELPHIA AND VICINITY. Philadelphia, Dec. 11--The New York Ship Building Co. at Camden, N. J., is actively engaged in preparations for the launch of the big steam- ship Nevadan, the first of a trio of uniform size, destined for the Ameri- can-Hawaiian Steamship Co.'s Pacific trade. The three sister ships are each 371 ft. long, 46 ft. beam and 34 ft. deep. Each will have a registered tonnage of about 4,500 tons, and a carrying capacity of 5,300 tons. When completed the Nevadan, Nebraskan and Texan will ply between New York and the Hawaiian islands, via San Francisco. These craft are to burn liquid fuel and ship builders in this vicinity are awaiting the result of their performance with much interest. It is understood that on_the trial trip of the Nevadan she will depend upon petroleum for fuel. Each vessel is equipped with special furnaces for burning oil. They will, how- ever, be so constructed that the fuel can be readily changed from oil to coal without stopping the machinery. The lake-built steamship Northwestern, which arrived in port several days ago with a cargo of iron ore from Wabana, will be converted into a tank vessel and placed in the fuel oil trade between Sabine Pass and Phila- delphia and other northern ports. The vessel is one of the four which left the lakes to ply in the coastwise trade. One other of the fleet will also be changed into a suitable carrier for the new oil trade. The two remain- ing vessels will engage in carrying coal coastwise south and returning with lumber. The syndicate which is actively engaged in the search for vessels for the Texas Oil Co. is expected to soon make overtures for the purchase of these latter craft. Soon after New Year's day the Cramps will launch the big steamship Kroonland, which for the last two years has been building for the Inter- national Navigation Co. The Kroonland is a sister ship to the Finland and is the largest passenger and freight steamship ever built in this coun- try. She is 560 ft. long and 60 ft. wide. The launch of the Finland will follow about Feb. 1. There is a possibility that one or both of these vessels may run to Philadelphia. Heretofore the employment of such mand of Capt. H. E. Nordane, is a new vessel, having been launched this year at Kiel, Germany. Her dimensions are: Length, 407 ft.; breadth of beam, 52 ft.; depth of hold, 28 ft. She hails from Stockholm. Coal freights by water to ports in the New England states show a decided improvement, particularly to Boston, to which port $1.30 per ton is being paid. The advance of 60 cents per ton over the rate paid a month ago leads a number of vessel owners to anticipate a return of such con- ditions as prevailed in 1898-99, when freight rates on coal went up to $2.25 per ton with demurrage. . The Pusey & Jones Co. of Wilmington, Del., has contracted to build a stern-wheel steamer for Cindad, Bolivar, to be used on the Orinoco river and its tributaries. During the last month seventy-three steamships, fifteen sailing vessels and two barges, with a total of 158,103 net tons, were entered at the cus- tom house from foreign ports, and 135 steamships, sixty-eight sailing vessels and 163 barges, with a total of 288,146 tons, from coastwise ports. During the same period eighty-eight steamships and eighteen sailing ves- sels, with a total of 178,313 net tons, cleared at the custom house for foreign ports, and 163 steamships, eighty-six sailing vessels and 163 barges, with a net tonnage of 303,110 cleared for coastwise ports, making a total of entrances and clearances for November of 427 steamships, 198 sailing vessels and 330 barges, the net tonnage aggregating 927,672. The Erie basin, New York, will soon have another large sectional dry dock in commission. It is being built by the firm of Theodore A. Crane's Sons. When completed it will be 300 ft. long, 90 ft. wide and will have a lifting capacity of 4,000 tons. This new dry dock will make the ninth in operation in the Erie basin. Advices from Paris state that the board of administration of the Suez canal has decided to admit from Jan. 1, 1902, ships drawing 26 ft. 3 in., instead of 25 ft. 7 in., the maximum allowed heretofore. Wee ty Arey en