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was suggested by that of the ancient fortresses of Lombardy ; 
and its general appearance, with the extraordinary nature of 
its site, upon a deep bed of mud, at some distance from the 
high-water line of the Humber, combine to render it an 
interesting example of artistic and constructive genius. A 
fine view is obtained from the exterior gallery inclosing the 
tank, to which access can be readily had by means of a hoist 
or cage carrying five persons, worked by hydrostatic pressure, 
upon principles exactly similar to those of the Dock-gate- 
machinery. 
At the Old Dock, at Grimsby, a hydrostatic coal-drop has 
been erected, for the purpose of accommodating the mineral 
traffic which it was expected would pass along the line 
of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway. It 
is worked from a weighted accumulator, and the hydrostatic 
power is applied to raise the loaded waggons from the railway 
to a sufficient height to clear the ship's side, and then to 
lower them to the deck, rehoist them, and replace them, 
empty, upon a separate line of rails. By this machine, 
minerals can be loaded with extraordinary speed, and with 
much less chance of breakage than when loaded by the spout. 
About twelve men are required to maintain this machinery in 
complete action, including the attendance upon the engine, 
but not including those required to stow the hold of the ship. 
It is capable of shipping 500 tons of coal in one day of ten 
hours, supposing the hold can be stowed with sufficient 
rapidity. 
Besides the machinery recently completed at Great 
Grimsby, Mr. Armstrong is erecting cranes, dock-gate 
machinery, &c, at the following places, viz. : — the docks at 
Liverpool, Garston, Birkenhead, and Blackwall ; also at the 
goods stations, in London, of the North- Western, Great 
Western, and Great Northern Railways ; at the Crystal 
Palace, at Plymouth, and many other places. 
