THE LYTTELTON GRAVING DOCK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 832, 3 January 1883, Page 2

THE LYTTELTON GRAVING DOCK.

[per press association]. Lyttelton, To day. The Lyttelton graving dock was opened today. It, is situated to the West of Naval Point. The following are the dimensions : Length, 450 feet; width of entrance between copings, 92 feet; depth of water on sill, 23 feet; width of floor, 46 feet. The. floor consists of 2 feet pf masonry on 2 feet 6 inches of concrete. The sides are of stone from Melbourne, and the concrete' excavation and masonry were executed by Ware and Jones at a cost of L9i,976. 1 he entrance is closed'by an iron caisson, from Glasgow, bi feet long, 19 feet beam, and 28 feet deep. ■ The dock is emptied by two centrifugal pumps, worked,by a pair of 15 horse-power nominal engines. These will empty it in five hours. The construction of the dock was. commenced Qctobcr,

lS79> and the last stone was laid in February, 1882. ConsiApJtiiJ}le delay was caused by the non-arrival owtpie caisson, owing to accidents on the voyage.', / l\he day was observed as a holiday in Lyttelton. A deal of bunting was displayed on the warehouses and shipping./. The weather was exceedingly being, calm but cloudy. A large number of "persons came to the psirt by the, morning trains - '! to Jbe' present at the ceremony. Sir Janies 1 rendergast arrived at tytteltofl by the special train at 12.40. He was met by the Mayor and Councillors, and was rowed in the pilot boat to the dock where he received the members of the Harbor Board. A guard of honor of the Lyttelton Navals presented arms, a salute of 17 guns was fired by the Christchurch Artillery, and the National Anthem was played. About 2000 people were around the dock.. After the opcnining a luncheon took place in the new export shed, the chair being occupied by Mr Peter Cunningham, r hairman of the Harbor Board. Among those present was the Acting Governor.