ON THE MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS OF SHIPS. 7 
understood that this consideration particularly applies to increase in draught 
of water, since the cost of dredging grows rapidly with increase of depth. 
It is not my purpose to attempt any prediction of what the limit of 
depth of water will be in future. For the moment 4o feet of water at low 
tide seems to be the maximum contemplated; and most ports are content 
with less, especially when there is a good rise of tide. Keen rivalry between 
great seaports has hitherto greatly influenced both policy and performance 
on the part of authorities, and has given shipowners and shipbuilders prac- 
tically what they have demanded. In the end, however, commercial con- 
siderations must prevail, and dividends must be earned by docks and harbors 
as well as by ships. In dealing with this matter therefore, the conflicting 
claims and interests of all who are concerned not only with shipping, but 
with docks, harbors, etc., must have due consideration. The advantages to 
be obtained by the whole community, and not the profit of a particular 
section, ought and will determine what is done eventually. 
VII. The following brief summary of facts relating to the dimensions 
of locks and dock entrances recently constructed or now in process of con- 
struction may be of interest as indicating the outcome of inquiries set afoot 
by responsible authorities in regard to the provision of suitable accommo- 
dation for the largest ships likely to be built. On the Panama Canal the 
locks are 1,000 feet long, 110 feet wide, with 40 feet of water over the sills. 
On the reconstructed Kiel Canal the locks are to be 1,080 feet long, 147 feet 
wide, with 36 feet of water over the sills, but provision has been made in the 
structures for increasing this to 46 feet if required hereafter. The new 
Gladstone Dock at Liverpool is to be capable of receiving the Cunard Steam- 
ship Aquitania when she is completed, and still larger vessels; it is really 
part of a great scheme of dock extension. This dry-dock will be 1,020 feet 
long, 120 feet broad, with 44 feet of water on the sills at high water, ordinary 
spring tides. On the Clyde a dock of nearly the same dimensions as the 
Gladstone Dock, is now under construction with 36 feet of water on the sills 
at high water; but the rise and fall of tide is less than at Liverpool. The 
Port of London Authority contemplates the construction of a dock 1,000 
feet long, 120 feet wide, with 40 feet of water over the sills. At the new 
naval base which the British Admiralty are constructing at Rosyth (Firth 
of Forth) the plans originally provided for a lock 850 feet long, 110 feet wide, 
with 36 feet of water at low tide, and for a dry-dock of similar dimensions 
except that it was to be 750 feet long. It is understood that some increase 
in length and breadth is probable. 
Approach channels have been deepened considerably. A depth of 40 
feet at low water is to be secured throughout the Ambrose Channel; at 
