74 The Evolution of Floating and Other Dry Docks. 



In Proprietory Docks the representaive was anxious to get 

 hold of a client and he was courteous, but the tendency of a 

 corporation was to red tape. He thought the latter hardly 

 applied to Belfast. The fact had to be accepted that Dock 

 accommodation must be supplied by the Harbour Commis- 

 sioners and it could not be in better hands. 



The type of Dock, as per Mr. Kelly's drawing, has answered 

 the requirements pretty well, and has kept pace with the 

 reformations up to the present, therefore some very good reasons 

 would be required for altering it. Of course Mr. Maxton 

 mentions a lot of things which are much in favour of the 

 Floating Docks — Mechanical Shores, Bilge Blocks to support 

 the vessel underneath, Windlass and Cranes to lift things about 

 the dock. 



He did not know how Mr. Kelly was aware of what Mr. 

 Maxton was going to say, Mr. Maxton says the Floating Dock 

 is cheaper and Mr. Kelly says it is dearer ; however, that will 

 be left for them to settle. 



Mr. Maxton makes a very important point, namely, time of 

 construction 12 months, which is very important, the 

 Graving Dock perhaps would take 3, 4, 5, or 7 years. Then 

 he (Mr. Maxton) claims it is moveable, it is saleable, and it is 

 extensible, that is to say, if it is 600 feet long you can make 

 it 800 feet long, and if it is required to be 10 feet more beam 

 it could be done at a; small cost. He (Mr. Macllwaine) would 

 go in for a Floating Dock if repairs to vessels were of a 

 trifling character. 



In conclusion he thought it absolutely necessary that Belfast 

 must have a new Dock if the city is to keep in the front, 

 and Mr. Maxton has rendered a service to the community in 

 general by bringing facts before the public. It rests with the 

 ratepayers. The Commissioners themselves cannot decide it 

 if the ratepayers are against it. If a Dock is to be constructed 

 of whatever kind, it must be a big one. Mr. Kelly has shewn 

 us a design of something like what would be the biggest Dock 

 in the world, even larger than the Glasgow one. 



