110 Chronicles of Science. [Jan., 



6. ENGINEERING— CIVIL AND MECHANICAL, 



And Notices of Becent Engineering Worlis. 



One test of the vitality of the Engineering profession at the close of 

 any year may be found in the list of plans deposited at the Private 

 Bill Office for the ensuing session of Parliament, This year we are 

 glad to find a marked improvement in this respect upon its prede- 

 cessor, but still the list is not a very fuU one, and does not give 

 promise of more than a very partial revival from the recent state 

 of depression. The published list contains altogether one hundred 

 and thirty plans, of which sixty are for railways, six for tramways, 

 twonty-fom- for waterworks, twelve for gas, and the remainder for 

 miscellaneous works of improvement. Amongst the railway schemes, 

 the principal are proposed extensions of the present J\Ietropohtan 

 lines in and about London ; a new line, to be constructed with un- 

 usual regard to economy in first outlay and in subsequent cost of 

 working, between Brighton and London ; and the constantly recur- 

 ring proposal for a line under the Mersey, between Birkenhead and 

 Liverpool. 



The above are, however, works of the futm-e, and such as may be 

 carried out will receive their notice in these columns in due course. 

 We must now turn our attention to giving a brief account of the 

 })rincipal works which have been completed, or in com-se of progress 

 during the past quarter. 



Docks, Harlours, &c. — The works of the Eoj^al Docks at Cork 

 Harbour are progressing very satisfactorily. It is expected that the 

 foundation stone wiU be laid early in the spring of 1869. There 

 are upwards of 400 convicts employed in various duties, as stone 

 cutters, carpenters, and labourers; and there are in addition 100 

 men employed by the contractors. 



The new Docks at Lsith are fast approaching completion, water 

 having already been admitted into them. The excavation of the 

 outer basin is finished, and the quay walls are completed. 



The Clyde trustees have decided on at once proceeding with the 

 new Graving Dock at Salter's Croft, Govan, for which Parliamentary 

 powers were obtained last session; and Messrs. Bell and Miller, C.E., 

 have been instructed to take tlie necessary steps m preparing contract 

 plans for the undertaking. The new dock will be one of the most 

 extensive in the kingdom, capable of accommodating ironclads of the 

 largest dimensions. 



The harbour of Irvme, which has been gradually silting up for 

 years, is now in course of improvement, and very extensive works 

 are under construction for that purpose. Those under the first 

 contract, which, however, comprise only a small section of those con- 



