CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 14

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D.W. 13094/10329.

Gentlemen,

Admiralty,

14th December 1900.

13

In reply to your letter of the 6th November 1900, respecting the dry dock which you propose to build

at Hongkong, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to enclose for your information particulars with outline plan and section of a double dock about to be oon- structed at H.M.Dockyard, Malta.

2.

I am to add that the dimensions given allow of course, a good margin for increasing those of future Battle- ships.

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3.

The length of the proposed Dock at Hongkong, understood by My Lords to be 900 feet, would provide ample margin for development in the above direction.

4.

Should the breadth and depth of water over the sills of the proposed new dock at Malta not commend themselves to your ideas, a minimum width of entrance of 90 feet, and a minimum depth of water of 32 feet over the sills, would provide a more moderate margin for increasing dimensions of future Battleships.

5.

Whatever depth of water over the sills may be decided on, the depth of the dock bottom should be about four feet below them, so as to allow the top of the keel blocks to be housed by the dock sills.

6.

The depth of water in the approaches to the dock should also be sufficient for the safe navigation of ships to them.

Messrs John Swire & Sons

22 Billiter Street, E.C.