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By FRANCIS FOX, M.Inst.C.E. 



Read before the Engineering Section^ Oct. 18th, 1892. 



DOCK AND HARBOUR WORKS.— The most impor- 

 tant local works are obviously those affecting the 

 trade and interests of the i^ort of Bristol. It has been for 

 some time past evident that increased accommodation for 

 vessels of great length and large tonnage is indispensable 

 if some of the trade which would come to Bristol, if it 

 possessed such accommodation, is not to be diverted to other 

 ports. The enlargement of Avonmouth Dock is now in 

 progress. When completed it will add 50 per cent, to the 

 existing quay accommodation. It is proposed to use the 

 extended dock for shipping coal and discharging timber. 

 The cost is estimated at about £60,000, exclusive of coal-tips, 

 lines, etc. A floating pontoon dock is also in course of con- 

 struction at Avonmouth, which will enable vessels of about 

 4,500 tons displacement to be docked for examination or 

 repairs. The flotation is obtained by six pontoons. A new 

 trafHc office is being built at Avonmouth at a cost of about 

 £2,400. This extension is, however, quite inadequate, and 

 the Docks Committee have therefore decided on recommend- 

 ing the construction of a new dock of about twenty-three 

 acres area (which may readily be extended at a future time, 

 if found necessary) on the north-east side of the present dock, 



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