Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1904)
- f-1 ' 1 ; - J THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, P0RTLA3SD, MAY 1, 1904. 16 GREAT WORK DONE Portland Drydock in Successful Operation. IT CAN LIFT LARGEST SHIPS Shipbuilding Will Receive Grrtst Im 'petus From Facilities Provided by Port of Portland Commission Description of the Dock. With. the completion of the Uoating dry dock at St. Johns, Portland Is placed In a position to compete with all other ports of the Pacific Coast for the docking and repair of ships of any size which are likely to be found In this port for many jears. Ships 500 feet long and -weighing 10.000 tons dead "weight can be lifted by this dock, which 1h the utmost that will be required by the commerce of the Pacific Coast until that remote time when the port will be easily able to either enlarge the present dock or build a new one of larger dimen sions. The readiness with which ships have already come to use It is good eI- dence that it will pay for Its operation and maintenance and, as the commerce of Portland grows, will increase its earn ings sufficiently to create a sinking fund for the redemption of the bonds issued lor Its construction. But even if the entire cost of its opera tion and maintenance had to be paid by taxation, the drydo- c would be a good in vestment for the i- ople of the Port of Portland. It will ca se ships to be sent here for repairs with the intention of ob taining charters from Uils port, -which would otherwise bo sert to San Fjranclseo or Puget Sound, and thus charter rates will be directly affected. It will furnish business for the shipyards and help to develop the shipbuilding industry, which has built up some of the greatest cities of the Atlantic Coast and Great Britain. It will Increase the "volume of business done by the machinery houses, with which this city Is well equipped, Included 'among them being the only steel-casting house on the Pacific Coast, which supplies all other ports of this Coast. It will also materially increase the olume of business done by shlpchandlers and other mer chants who supply the many needs of ocean vessels. The economy to shipowners in having In Portland a dock where their ships can be repaired can be seen from one illustration. When the ship Pembroke shire ran on a rock in the Columbia Rl er, sho was temporarily patched up and towed to Astoria, where the damage to her hull was repaired by divers at a cost of about $12,000. while if she could have gone on a drydock the cost would hae been only $3000 to $4000 and the time lost would have been only one-third. Inception of the Work. This great work was done by the Port of Portland Commission, a body created by an act of the Legislature of 1S91. which also established a special taxing district comprising all of Multnomah County ex cept about one-tenth of Its area In the ex treme eastern part By an act passed In 1901 the commission was empoyered to issue bonds to the amount of $400,000 and use the proceeds in the construction of a dr dock in or near the City of Portland. The first work done towards cam Ing out this duty was to hear the opinions of those who were Informed on the subject, which occupied the time of several meetings In April, 1901. Deliberations continued throughout the Summer of that year and on October 17, the opinions of the commis sioners took shape, when It became evi dent that they favored the construction of a floating wooden dock In sections, though no formal action was taken on that occa sion. This was delayed until- November 14, when a motion by C. F. Swlgert, second ed by Colonel John R. McCrakea, was adopted that the commission, build a two winged floating drj dock 400 leet long over all and having a lifting capacity of 10,000 tons. This was followed by delajs due to the difficulty In selling the bonds, the In vesting public not realizing that they were as good security as bonds of the City of Portland or the County of Mult nomah. However, the contract for the construction of the pontoons was let on September S. 1902, to Robert Wakefield, who proceeded to begin work on them at $14,000 from Hartman, Thompson & Pow ers on May 20, 1903, and to this was after wards added 500 feet more for $15,000, while the cost of surveys added $S05 to the price. Of the sum paid for the original-tract "51000 was retained until Albany and Van Buren streets, St. Johns, have been legally va cated. The site now has 1900 feet of water front, and owing to the bend of the river and Irregularities of the deep channel Is of Icr-egular width, ranging from 344 feet at the extreme lower end to 704 feet from the harbor line to the shore boundary, which adjoins the, O. R. & N. right of way. " While Mr. Wakefield was completing the pontoons, the commission with one of Its own dredges excavated the berth to a depth of 45 feet below low water and fol lowed this by letting a contract to Mr. Wakefield for the construction of the berth. On each side are four rows of piling and on the upper end ten rows, all driven to a depth of at least 26 feet and standing SO feet above low water, the whole being strongly braced together. The dock Is moored and held in position by stanchions which fit Into guides con structed of large timbers on the sides of are directly connected to 15-lnch an trifugal pumps placed near the bottom. These fcumps each have a minimum ca pacity of 2300 gallons of writer a minute at the greatest lift, which is about 30 feet, and the motors are capable of deliv ering not less than 30 electrical horse power to the pumps. The ten pumps raise 25,000 gallons a minute and take an hour and a half to empty the pontoons of the 900 tons of water they carry when submerged, though the peclflca tions allowed them two hours. They simply pour ten streams, each a foot In diameter. Into the river, and the dock rises by Its buoyancy, lifting the ship with It to any required height. When it is desired to sink the dock, six sluice gates, each IS Inches in diameter, are opened In each pontoon, allowing the water to pour In, sinking the dock by graity in one hour. The hold Is divided Into water tight compartments, any one or more of which can be pumped out so as to tip the dock either way. If desired. It a small vessel Is to be docked, the number of pontoons In use can be reduced, effecting economy in power and labor. In the power-house on the bluff over , looking the dock Is a 350-horsepower great amount of good, work accomplished in its second year, and the growth of the work as welL "The demands made upon the nurses are greater than can. be attended to, and it is almost Imperative to broaden the service. It is found that the poor of Portland exist in greater num bers than is supposed by those who do not investigate such matters or enter into charitable work, and to the sick among these poor the nurse of the association often comes as salvation. The gyeat number of pitiable cases which the nurse and friendly visitor can tell of sound like Jack Iondon's "Children of the Abyss," for they have discovered that It Is not only in London's East End or the slums of America's great metropo lis that cases of abject destitution exist. These cases are given assistance In every way possible. Often the assistance extends throughout the entire family instead of only to the sick one, and the children are clothed, fed and sent to school or the father providedwlth work. The association wants additional .mem bers, whose subscriptions will add to the general fund, so greatly needed. Dona tions from the local drug and.commercial THE DRYDOCK BERTH ASH WHARTES. A . . . ....... 4 the berth, as Into a socket The water way leading to the berth has 770 feet of wharf on one side and 352 feet on the other, while on the outer side of the wharf, which fronts on the channel, there Is 900 feet There Is altogether 2022 feet of wharf frontage, not Including the space outside the upper end of the berth or the inner side of the wharf near the Shore, where there Is eight feet of water at low water, so that at almost all stages of the river small vessels could He there. Al together there Is room for at least ten vessels to He at the wharves at one time, while awaiting their turn to go on the dock. Pontoons and Their Construction." The pontoons, of which the first was launched at Vancouver on April 4, 1903, the next two In September of that year, and the last two in March, 1904, are each SO feet long and 112 feet wide outside and 82 feet wide within the wings, making a total length of 400 feet Each end pon toon has an apron 34 feet wide, giving a total outside length of 4C8 feet so that vessels 500 feet long can easily be lifted. The pontoons are built of huge timbers, such as can only be obtained on the Pa cific Coast, some of the trusses being SO feet long and 14 by 20 Inches thick, and consumed 3,300.000 feet of timber and 265 tons of Iron. In the shape of bolts, spikes, castings, I beams and rods. In appear ance it resembles a huge raft with walls tapering outwards towards to the top. There are the wings, which are 4S feet high and filled with air chambers to give the dock buojancy to rise when the water is pumped out The pontoons are locked f THE SCHOOXER W. H. TALBOT IN THE DRTDOCE. & Russell engine" connected to a Westing house generator, which produces the elec tric -current for all the machinery In the pontoons. Electric connection Is made between the power-house and an operat ing house, which stands on the wharf surrounding the berth and there, by means of a switchboard, the current can be turned onto any of the pumps at a signal to the operator. Oil Is used as fuel under the boilers, the supply being stored In a tank set In the ground, which has a capacity of 12,000 gallons. The dock underwent a most successful practical test on April 25, when the schooner W. H. Talbot was raised without difficulty. That It will be well patronized is evident from the fact that another ves sel was ready to enter when the Talbot came out and other vessels are likely to follow. The total cost of the various parts of the work was: Pontoons $177,246 Machinery 89,000 Berth site 29,806 Power-house site 300 Construction of berth and wharves 35,000 Excavating berth 9,623 Construction of power-house 4,100 General expenses - 6,500 Interest to May 1 11.437 Total $363,017 There are still some small accounts to be paid, which will almost consume the balance of $366,703 49, which the commission had at its disposal. The commission has established rates of dockage which are considerably below those charged at other docks on the Coast -For steam vessels the rate for the first day Is 27 cents per ton for a gross tonnage of 1000 to 3000; 22 cents, from 3000 to 4000: 18 cents for over 4000. For sailing vessels the rates are for the first day: 22 cents for 120 to 600 tons; 20 cents for 600 to 750 tons: 18 cents for more than 750 tons. In all cases the charge for lay dajs Is JO cents up to five dajs and 7 cents after five days, with a minimum of $30 for any period over five dajs. Cargo is charged at the same rate as tonnage, but no charge Is made for ballast Wrecked vessels are subject to additional charges. Credit for the execution of this work Is due to the Port of Portland Commission, which serves without salary and Is con tent with the compliments of the citizens on the able and faithful performance of a public trust The commission Is com posed of: C. F. Swlgert president; G. B. Thomas, vice-president; John Drlscoll, secretary.; C. F. Adams, treasurer; E. W. Spencer. P. L. Willis and Archie Pease. D. J. Maher, as clerk of the commission, keeps the accounts and records. Anns have been generous, and many phy sicians have been generous in co-operation with the association. But as the work broadens the demand for money and sup plies Increases, and It is earnestly hoped that It will be met this year aa cheerfully as it has been in the past CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS. Contractors and builders will do well by purchasing their hearth, floor wall and sink back tiling at the M. J. Walsh Co., 343 Washington street Man Accused of Murder Released. CHICAGO, April 30. Andrew Houston, who had been held by the police since Wednesday, pending an Investigation of MEN'S SUITS TOPCOATS at SIO and $12.50 You will be surprised at their goodness and will save from $2 to.$5 from ' - pricesof uptown stores. Come in and let us convince you of this. WHEN YOU- SEE ITIN OUR AD. ITS SO. Mover Clothing Co. THIRD AND OAK STREETS Vancouver, Wash., on the Columbia River near the mouth of the Willamette. The contract for the machinery was let to the Columbia Engineering Works on Novem ber 3. 1902. The bonds were finally sold in several lots, but most of them at a considerable discount The first lot of $10,000 worth was sold on July 30, 1903, at par, but the second lot of $175,000 sold on September 21. 1903, at only S5, realising $145,750. The remaining $215,000 were sold on March 24. 1504, at 94 SS. reallrlns $204,013.50. The accrued interest from the date of tho bonds to the date of sale was also paid by the purchasers, amounting to $3944 99. This brought the total sum reaUred to $366,703.49. The large discount from the par value made the closest economy necessary, for the com mission had no other source to draw .on for any deficit and the fact that it has kept the cost within the sum at its dis posal is as much to Its credit as the good work it has done in the successful comple tion of the dock itself. Site Selected and Prepared. Then came long deliberation as to the best site. Several tracts of water front were offered and much thought was given to that at Mock's Bottom, but It was finally rejected In favor of a site on the east side of the Willamette River at St Johns, the bed at this point and the cur rents being most suitable. A strip of water front 1400 feet long was bought for together by locking" log stanchions, two on each side of each pontoon, which carry a keeper 24 by 2S inches, the keeper fit ting Into the stanchion as Into a socket Along the longitudinal center line are strung the keel-blocks, which can be raised or lowered by means of wooden wedge-blocks operated by means of ropes from the wings. On each side of the keel blocks at some distance Is a row of bilge blocks, which are operated from the wings, moving In guides and being held In place by pawls dropping Into castlron racks. When a ship enters the dock, which Is ballasted with rock to a depth of six feet when afloat and sinks to a depth of 2S feet more when filled with water, the keel rests directly on the keel blocks, which are raised or lowered as occasion requires. At the same time she Is held upright by adjustable shores, which are large telescoping wooden bars, these being leveled against her sides, and the bilge-blocks on each side adapt them selves to the shape of the ship's bottom, so as to prevent her from listing. The contract required the dock to handle ves sels drawing 25 feet of water, but It ac tually draws 28 feet to allow a margin for the curves in a ship's bottom. Machinery for Pumping. The machinery was built at home as far as patents allowed, and has been proved, to work perfectly. Bach pontoon Is provided with two of the General Elec tric Company's . vertical motors, -which not County physician's duty Care of Patients at City Jail Not Devolve Upon Him. Does County Health Officer Dudley Evans says the police officials labor under a mis apprehension concerning the duties of County Physician Dr. E. P. Geary, and asserts that the County Physician Is not supposed to go to the City Jail and attend to persons brought in who have met with accidents, although he has been doing so when called upon. Mr. Evans alleges that the police called for Dr. Geary Friday to visit Chart esWilskman, whose leg was In jured In a logging camp, and says If the man suffered for lack of surgical atten tion, the County Physician was not to blame. Dr. Geary at the time was other wise engaged, and the City Physician, the Health Officer says. Is the proper person to wait upon police station cases, and not Dr.'Gearv. Mr. Evans further states that the au thorities at the City Jail sent word to him an Friday to send a convejance and take Wllskman to the County Hospital, but that could not be accomplished on Friday either. The wagon from the pooa farm and hospital is brought to the city everj" other day to convey paupers and sick people to the Institution, and Friday Is not one of the regular dajs. As an ac commodation the wagon is sent after pa tients at other times, but it is not alwavs convenient to go after a patient Wllsk man passed Friday night in a lodging house. His case is not a serious one. a murder, said by his wife to have been committed by him In Ohio, has been re leased. Tho police had obtained no veri fication of the charge from the Ohio au thorities. Houston, after having his wife iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHirrn. niiiiiiiinni riiMtfr nil 1 ill 111 ipfTTIMMTflllllllllll-lllllli 11 BICYCLES LOADED WITH SYELI SNLL BICYCLES SINELL CARLOAD JUST IN PORTLAND POOR NEED NURSES Association That Manages Worthy Charity Meets Thursday. The annual meeting of the Visiting Nurse Association will be held Thursday, May 5, at 2 P. M.. In Trinity Chapel. Of ficers' reports will be read and addresses made by Dr. A. A. Morrison, Dr. Holt C. Wilson and Thomas JT. Strong. The as sociation feels most gratified with the - No Band! No Music! . JUST BICYCLES! Good Bicycles and Business! It will prove good business for you to buy your Bicycle of a good, reliable concern and get your money's worth.. Prices: $25, $27.50, $30, $32.50$35, $40 and $50. -A few Racers of lastyear's model at very low prices real bargains TERMS TO SUIT YOU arrested on a charge of bigamy, was first charged by her with having committed ji murder near Liggett, O , many j ears ago. She said she learned of this through her husband's habit of talking in his sleep. When Houston was arrested, the police sent telegrams to Ohio asking for an in vestigation of the charges. No answer was received and the accused man was released. tttHHHMHHHMM)tHHMM)tMM Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co. FIRST AND TAYLOR STS. TOOTH TROUBLES DR. T. P. WISE. I Don't delay having your teeth attended to. Our means and methods of restoring the natural teeth by artificial substitutes have met with the approval of our patrons. When you have extensive dental work done jou had better select a dentist who has had years of practical experience in this branch of dentistry. So that time and experience will Insure a sat isfactory result rather than loss of time and money by Incompetency. Our methods are painless and you need have no fear ''U'j&gl DR. W. A. WISE. about having your teeth extracted. If they, are aching and beyond Tepalr. Examination free and our prices are right. SE BROS. DENTISTS Cor. 3d and Washington Sts. PORTLAND, OR. Phone Main 2029. Open evenings till 8:50. Sundays from 9 A. M. to 1 P. M. All the Skill of Your Physician EVERY EFFORT HE PUTS FORTH IN YOUR BEHALF. 4 Are As Nothing UNLESS HIS PRESCRIPTIONS ARE FILLED EXACTLY AS WRITTEN t Men and Medicine Alike must have strength, vigor, freshness all these qualities our i drugs have. j Experience Tells ! Forty years of it right here in this store, with able men trained for this most responsible of all human call ings. Our dispensers are never interrupted at their work by trivial nolle tfiokr rwanart nrAcrWntinnc anH nothing else. I f OUR TELEPHONE- Goes direct to the Prescription Case call up Exchange 11. We call for and deliver prescriptions without extra charge. Woodard, Clarke & Co. DISPENSING CHEMISTS Fourth and Washington Sts.