35773 
 
 .11,* »«»■, » » IU->» g » 
 
 Eni;. '^^g 
 
 JM E m: O I R 
 
 PROI^OSED 
 
 B^ttat lmpat^enten!$, 
 
 AT QUEBEC ; 
 
 BY 
 
 IC. ^;^. PLXJNKETT, 
 
 
 eugii^ebii. 
 
 I- 
 
 i > 
 I 
 
 I' 
 i, 
 
 i 
 
 i • 
 
 i. 
 
 i: 
 
 TO AfVOMI'ANV PLAN'S Dl' IM101»()SKI> N'KW WOHK'S, Ac PRKSFNTKr* TO 
 THE HAIMton COMMISSION, l.Vm nKi'KMHKH. I.<74. 
 
 I 
 
 .1 
 
 I 
 
 Pkintkii VI riti-: "Muhsix*; <'«m>\ir).K" On'icK. 
 
 1874. 
 
 . -y — ^. y - . ^-r~ ^j~rr,M,r-~j^—^ j^ A Jf ' A- 
 
]M E m: O I R . 
 
 ►oj»:o«— — 
 
 P I^ O Jt> O S E D 
 
 B^tkt tmpotJemett!$, 
 
 AT QUEBEC; 
 
 liV 
 
 E. W. T^Ll NKETT, 
 
 ENGINEER, 
 
 TO ACCOMPANY PLANS OF PROPO?FJ> Xi:\V WOHKS, Ac, PKKSEXTED To 
 THE IIARDOH CoM.VirS.^roX, l.Vrii DKCKMBKR, 1874. 
 
 Q IT IT. HTCC: 
 
 Prtxtkii at the 'Moitxixti Ciihovtci.k " OiTirK, 
 
 1874. 
 
\\ 
 
i^:ems/loxti. 
 
 PROPOSED 
 
 HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS 
 
 AT 
 
 ■:o: 
 
 Alter a leiii»thi'no(l examination of the Harbor, all the 
 Plans, new and old, that could be lound, and makinj? such 
 oriuinal engmeeriiiu- investigations as the time allowed 
 would permit of, the conclusions arriv<'d at by the writer, 
 respecting- the site for the system of improvements referred 
 to in the advertisements and resolutions of the Harbor Com- 
 missioners are as follows : 
 
 There does not appear to be any suitable place on the 
 Quebec Side of iho Kiver St. Lawrence, South of Pointe-a- 
 (Jarcy ; for in that direction the high land is generally 
 close to the River ; deep water, as a rule, prevails close in 
 shore ; luuther the North Shore, nor any other Railway 
 could, at a reasonable cost, be brought there. It is there- 
 fore evident that the great cost of making suitable impro- 
 vements South of Point-a-Carcy, renders further considera- 
 tion of that locality unnecessary. 
 
 The writer does not consider the question of locating the 
 proposed system of improvements at any point on the 
 South Shore [Levis], because the Sixth resolution of the 
 Commissioners expresses the desire "that competitors should 
 " prepare their Plans in anticipation of the growth cf the 
 
• Western traclo at Quebec." The term "Qucboc'^ hove men- 
 tioiicd, rvidciitly does not embiJicc 'South Quohec," as the 
 latter words are previously used in a distinctive s(»nse in 
 the sunu» (6th) resolution. Apart iVoni the I'jict, that the Com- 
 missioners' resolutions, — as tlu^y apjxnir toth<' writer — desire 
 the Plans limited to the (^uehcc Side of the Kiver St. Law- 
 rence, the writer is oi' opinion that any enuineering advan- 
 tages possessed by the South Shore would not wairant the 
 location of improvements, su(^li as he pro))Oses, at a 
 distance from the business comniunitv, and where they 
 (the improvements) would he cut oil' from the North 
 Shore Itailway (and its future eonnections) in which the 
 City of (Quebec has such a large interest. Belore many 
 years the North Shore Railway will obtain a through con- 
 nection over the Montreal Northern Colonisation Railway 
 to Ottawa, and thence over otln'i- lines which, in course of 
 time will be constructed, to the Georgian Bay, the North- 
 AVest, and the City of Toronto : at this latter point an inde- 
 pendent Railway system, with ramiiications to the most 
 distant parts of the Continent, will be reached, and Quebec 
 brought into direct and competitive communication with 
 them. Two links of the latter chain, — Quebec to Montreal, 
 and Montreal to Ottawa, — are now in course of construc- 
 tion, the third only remains to be undertaken; when it 
 shall have been made, a grave error would be found to have 
 ))een committed, if the Harbor improvemenis and the 
 North Shore Railway did not connect. An ac(piaintance 
 with the details of the transportation business of the 
 present day makes it plain, that in order to reduce freight 
 charges to a minimum and thus control business, the cars 
 and ships must, in these days of keen compf^tition, lie side 
 by side, and that the most direct and least expensive routes 
 for moving freinht must be made available. 
 
 The next place to consider, is the mouth of the River St. 
 Charles. This has, fornuiny years been looked upon as the 
 best site for enlarging the Harbor accommodation, and 
 creating business facilities generally ; a great variety of 
 plans have ])een from time to tim(> proposed for utilizing it. 
 The pu])lic as well as such professional per.sons as have 
 had occasion to examine the locality have generally ap- 
 proved of it, and the writer is satisfied, after careful exam- 
 ination, that the strong impression prevailing in favor of 
 this site is well fouuded. 
 
 \ \ 
 
The site is the most nccossil)!*' to tiiu lnisiiie>s.5 por- 
 tion ol'tlio city to h(^ iouud. 
 
 Good shipping,' accoiuuKxljitioii ran Ix- more cheaply 
 obtained there than at any othci point. 
 
 It luhnits of extension. Irom time to time, \\\) to 
 ahno.sl any limit thut may be desired. 
 
 Thi' railwuy and tlie ships can there hf l)roniilit 
 together most advantaueonsly and elK^piy. 
 
 Tht» site is ahnost the (.nly one whicli can he made 
 avaihibh^ for extensive improveriients withont encr(»ach- 
 ing' on the {St. Lawrence, iiderlerinu- with its -'ri'Lii- 
 mcn,"' and ])eing su])ject to ice drill. 
 
 There are several enQ'ineerimi advanta'^es in„con- 
 nectiou with the site which are referred to hereaiter 
 when describing- the jdans proposed by the writei- lor 
 the Improvements. 
 
 The principal ii'not the only aru-nm<'ni auainst ihe niouili 
 oi' thi» St. Charles, as a Site I'or the Improvements was lately 
 advanced ag'ainst it, in connection wiih the pro])osa! to ]>nild 
 the Grravinii' Dock there. In the report oi Mi^ssrs. l\ini))le 
 and Morris, l*]nuineers, on that matter, this site is rejtn'ted 
 on th(* strength ol' certain information stated to h:i',e l)een 
 received by them from Mr. Simons, and to \\ hieh i]ie\ 
 refer in the folloAving short x)arauraph : 
 
 " From borings made some time ag«» by Mr. Simons 
 •' W(^ learn that this baidv (/ t. at the mouth oi' St. 
 "' Charles) is composed entirely of open runninu' sand 
 '' to a depth varying from twenty to Jbrty feet below 
 " low water mark," (see jxru'e !», Jveport of sites of 
 Gravitig Dock, Kiniple and M^nis, Engineers.) 
 
 An examination of several old idans made liO lo 40 yeais 
 ago (for which the low water line was accurately surveyed.) 
 shews, that little if any change has since taki^i i)lace in the 
 position or outline of the bank referred to. It is therefore 
 questionable on this account alone, if the mouth of the St. 
 Charles is accurately described above as consisting of ' an 
 open running sand ". Feeling the importance of this 
 
question, the writer communicated with Mr. Simons who 
 had made the borings referred to, and was informed that he, 
 (Mr. Simons) did not know what the interior of the bank 
 consist«»d of, as none of the material was brought up ; that 
 he bored to the depth mentioned, but had no means of 
 judging of tht? sirenf^th or permeability oiiYiQ su])strata, other 
 than the rate of progress the boring tool made through them. 
 Such data being quite inadequate to the solution of a very 
 important question, involving as it did, the rejection of a 
 site embracing, without dou])t, at leant every other ad ran- 
 taffe that could be desired, the writer took the necessary 
 steps to ascertain the nature of the substrata in question, at 
 some important points, so as to be able to speak of his own 
 knowledge, as to the existing condition of things ; and to 
 make a design that could be executed with the means 
 available. The results of these examinations enable the 
 writer to submit the accompanying Plans, &c., with confi- 
 dence ill their sufficiency. While on this subject the writer 
 would state, that according to all the information he has 
 been able to obtain, after much examination and enquiry, 
 th(^ mouth of the St. Charles, in his opinion, affords the 
 most favorable site to be found for both the " Improvements " 
 and the '* Dry Dock "; it it is true the substrata for some 
 distance below the surface consist of sand, but it is by no 
 means of a " loose " or " running " character. On the con- 
 trary, it is of a very solid and compact description, and 
 there is reason to believe, a strong" impermeable soil may be 
 found at a depth not too great to render impracticable the 
 works outlined by the writer in the Plans submitted for 
 making the Basins, &c., w^ater tight. It should also be 
 borne in mind, that few better foundations are to be had 
 than those of sand for ordinary purposes ; it is in fact so 
 good a material, that it is often times employed artificially 
 to remedy a foundation naturally defective. It only requi- 
 res to be properly treated when used in situ to secure the 
 best results. 
 
 In the matter of the Diy Dock, the writer is of opinion 
 should it be placed in the St. Charles, there will be no 
 difficulty in rendering it water tight, after the manner 
 usually employed in Canada and the United States in the 
 construction of wooden Locks, &c., and even without the 
 elaborate use of B6ton and Puddle walls, provided for in the 
 plans, specifications and estimates of the writer, and which 
 
have been speciliod lor the Dry Dock, more as ft matter of 
 extra caution, than from any eonvietion ol their actual ne- 
 cessity, lieforenoc will bo matle further on to the Graving 
 Do9k matter as the writer considers it fairly enters into the 
 full treatment of the cjuestion of Improvements. 
 
 Before describing- at length the improvements proposed, 
 it may be proper to allude to the chief considerations which 
 led to their adoption. 
 
 It was deemed essential. 
 
 That the improvements to be now undertaken should 
 not exceed in cost $500,09©, exclusive of the Gravhig* 
 Dock. 
 
 That the requirements and suggestions of the com- 
 missioners as set forth in their advertisement and 
 resolutions should be adhered to as closely as possible. 
 
 That suitable connection with the North Shore an d 
 other Railways should be provided. 
 
 That tlie present facilities for, and cost of, tranS" 
 acting business on the wharves should be considered 
 with a view of reducing such cost to a minimum in 
 the new works. 
 
 That the nature and volume of the trade and it 
 probable increase should receive attention. 
 
 That the system of improvements proposed, should 
 be susceptible of economical extension from time to 
 time hereafter, as additional accommodation became 
 necessary. 
 
 That the money spent in the improvement, shoul 
 yield the largest bene^t possi])lc to trade. 
 
 In deciding upon the features ol a sche me and the scope 
 and extent of the improvements connected with it, the 
 amount of business is, in the iirst plac e, the most essential 
 point to consider, as it should, in a gr eat measure, regulate 
 
 the design. 
 
8 
 
 Kroni the Custom House Olfiners, and tho ofhcial Blue 
 Book, th(^ writer has obtained, what is thought to be a safe 
 estiniato of the vohimo of foreign import trade, done on the 
 wharves. 
 
 The ])Oo];s of the Harbor Commissioners' office, furnish 
 particulars of the domestic inward trade. They are both 
 
 as follows : 
 
 Average imports landed in Quebec during last live 
 
 yt^ar s SO 0, tons per annum . 
 
 Coastinn- trade, season of 
 
 UTl,.... 180,000 " 
 
 Total 480,000 tons weight per annum. 
 
 The writer has not been able to obtain accurate statistics 
 of the export trade, and therefore in order to be safe, he as- 
 sumes a small value for it, say, 20,000 tons per annum, ex- 
 "Jusive of timber. This will give a total business done at 
 (.Quebec wharves, exclusive of timber, during a season, 
 say 500,000 tons. 
 
 There is no ctn'tain means of forming an opinion as to 
 the pro1)al)l(^ incri'ase of trade in the future, as the statistics 
 of a portion ol' it, have never been collected before this 
 Vi'jvr. The foreiun export trade statisties, do not show any 
 increase of consequence in live years past. 
 
 All of the above business, is said to be handled on the 
 wharves of the Harbor. 
 
 Tiiii])er, the ureat exi>ort staple is not, of course, inclu- 
 d'Hl ; it requires for its accommodation, principally shelter 
 .ind ai.chornue ; the tide fluctuations have no effect on the 
 expense of loading it. The chief benefit, therefore, the wri- 
 ter exx^eets the improvements proposed by him, will confer 
 on the timber trade is merely to give it more space and 
 room in the present Harbor, by transferring much of the 
 general Inisiness of the port to the new works. 
 
 As to the cost of handling the foregoing amount of busi- 
 ness, tlie writer has made i>articular enquiries of ship- 
 owners, merchants, eonsiiiiiees, and others in reference to 
 that i^oiut. and ilieir replies shew, that the cost of loading 
 or unloading ships at Quebec, [allowing for the difference 
 in wages paid in Qu'^bec, and other ports] at a moderate 
 estimate averages from 5 to 10 cents per ton more than it 
 
9 
 
 I should, and that this oxtra chaiji'o is duo mostly if not oii- 
 ' tir(»ly to the di.sadvantas>'e.s att«»ndant on a iluoiuatinu- tide 
 level. 
 
 On the volume of business done in Quebec yearly the 
 cost of handling in excess of what it would be at Montreal 
 or other similar places would therefore amount to per annum. 
 
 500,000 tons,atsay 8c >^40,000 
 
 which capitalized at G per cent, represrnts 
 a principal which might be spent in im- 
 provements, of ^700,000 
 
 The above calculation is based principally on the state- 
 ments of Quebec shippers ; it is Ix'lieved to be at least 
 moderately correct, and although admitted to be only 
 approximate, yet it is evident from it, that business handled 
 at Quebec is subjected to a very hi^avy direct money loss, 
 irrespective of delays, detentions and other drawbacks to 
 the shipping arising from the same cause. These delays, 
 detentions, ^c, if turned into money would no doubt 
 amount to a large additional sum ; and the question 
 naturally occurs, cannot a plan be devised to do away with 
 this great expense ; some plan to relieve the old trade, 
 encourage a new one, and place Quebec on as favorable a 
 footing as Montreal and other ports ^ 
 
 It is submitted that there is a remedy, and that it lies in 
 the construction at the mouth of the St. Charles Kiver, of a 
 floating Basin or Basins, at a constant level, where vessels, 
 large and small, may enter at all times, discharge their 
 cargoes at a reasonable expense, and leave without undue 
 delay. All parts of said Basin or Basins to be accessible to 
 Railway communication, horse waggons and carts, and to 
 be provided with suitable sites for warehouses, elevatoi's, 
 piling ground for material, &c., &c., ike 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF WORKS AND IMPROVEMENTS 
 
 PROPOSED. 
 
 The plan shows in red tint the wharves, ^c, now pro- 
 posed to be undertaken ; they are to form a part of an en- 
 tire scheme which may be added to and extended, from 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 time to timo, nnlil ultimatoly the whole form;' a haraionious 
 and comprchensivo system. 
 
 rresont woikF. rj^-^^ followini'; is .1 list of tli«^ works pr()i)o. t'd to be uii- 
 clertakeii now. The letters rel^r to plan. 
 
 1. The main whaiT, G. K. 
 
 2. " " J. X 
 
 ^>. The entranee works at F. G. 
 4. The Draw Brido-e at F. G. 
 
 f\ The Dry Dock D. E. a?id eonnectinn- v/harrE. F. 
 (). Th'^ Dredging' oi'TideJ Basin to 30 i\N't deep at neap 
 tide,;. 
 
 7. The Dredging of Basin No. 1, to 22 iei^t deep at neap 
 
 tides. 
 
 8. The Dredging of Connecting Basin to -30 i'eiii, neap 
 
 tides. 
 
 Future cxtcn- The works ultimately to he carried out (ii' r.'Cjuirvd,) are 
 """■ also indicated on the plans and are (in ;'.(ldiiion 1o the 
 
 above 8 items) as follows : 
 
 0. The Dam A. C. 
 10. The maiii wharf C. D. 
 n. The Pontoon Brid->vy. 
 
 12. Tho entraiKv at M.' K. 
 
 13. The wall dividing' connecting Basin into a Lock 
 and an additional Dry Dock. 
 
 14. The ]ncrs leading from wdiarf B. C. D. 
 
 15. The Ballast ti-round enclosed Vvifh crihwork.- 
 
 16. The AViiiter Jiailway Ferry. 
 
 ^oTlllZt Th,' works 1 to 8 will have the elKTt of furnisiiing the 
 Uiition. following accommodation, exclusive ol Inial ]>a.sin. 
 
 16 acres of Basin at a depth of 21 feet ai neap tid<'s. 
 6,600 lineal feet of wharfagv. 
 
 The scale upon which the works 1 io 8 were desigib'd 
 and which is cojisidered the most suited to the trade is, 
 SO feet of \A-ater in Tidal Basin at neaps. 
 
 !^ '*! Conneenng Basin at neaps. 
 
 t '\ Basin No.'l. " 
 
 ' ' ' Dry Dock 
 " " springs 
 
 80 
 
 (( 
 
 22 
 
 (( 
 
 21 
 
 (1 
 
 26 
 
 (( 
 
10 
 
 t 
 
 11 
 
 Oil the '.rriiipL'tion of Dam A. V. aiul wharf C. D. these 
 {h}pths will ])o iiiciLased (by ictaiiiiiii>' high »prinj>- tide 
 I'jvcl and d.uniiiiiig' the St. Chrtrles waler) to tho following- : 
 
 ;>0 h'ol in Ij-.iKiu N(». 1 at all tinio.s. 
 :iO - Dry Dock 
 
 •2i •' l>a;4ns 2, l', and 4. and all other points with- 
 
 in the area of new Harbor. 
 
 It should be o])served, these last depths are obtained 
 merely by tlio construction of Dam A. C, and wharf C. D., 
 and without any dredii-ing-; should however any valid 
 objections exist, of which the writer ha^ now no knowledge, 
 to damming the St. Charles, and raising its level 4 feet 
 iiighi-r than ordinary sj)rin3' tides as proposed, then the 
 required dcptli in IJasins must be obtained by dr'dginu". 
 
 It i.s proi)QS.-d that the North Shore llai^^vay shall pass on Xortii siio 
 incx'pensive oi>on mh" work from xSt. 1-jdward Street or some i^'>'i»-'y- 
 other (.-onv'^ni'/iit point, to the new wharhng at C, and follow 
 it down ;•) ilte (h'i'p water shi})pinu' berths and Dry Dock; 
 these it may easily rencli in the manner shewn on plans. 
 A Draw.r>;'j'!;:e will 1*0 constructed in a suitable place be- 
 tween St. i'j tward Street and the wharf at C. so that ships 
 may pass across the line of Railway and up tlie St. Charles 
 at any time 
 
 The Dam A. C, shall b" constructed in tln^ approximate Dam. 
 l)ositi()n sh''v/n ; its height shall ]ja fixed after a survey of 
 the Kiv'v-r Jias been made, for the purpose of ascertaining 
 the effect of raising tli'* levvl of th.' St. Charles as proposed 
 lour feet ab ive ordinary high vv^ater spring tides. The Dam 
 might h) u -ed for carrying.a line of rails of the North Shore 
 li,aiivva\\ to ihe North Side of the St. Charles. If it is found 
 pi'cU3tic:tl;le V) rais" the River level, as n^ferred to, a valuable 
 wate;' powei miglit be es[al>lished at Dam having an aver- 
 age 111 ad oi watir of froai 8 to 10 feet etjual tu [>erhaps 
 100 Horse power. 
 
 A Railway Ferry is pro\ ided for as shewn, to connect the Haiiway Fon-y, 
 Nonh Siioi',', with the Railways on the opposite Side of the 
 St. J^avvrence. The Ferry IJoat to be provided with three 
 tracks for t'-ansf 'rring cars without breaking bulk. In sum- 
 mer lh«) Ferry Boatjsln|[l Join the North Shore Railway in 
 
12 
 
 coiiiiocting Basin, but lor winter months it shall Je at 
 North end of Break-water ns shewn, which is believed to be 
 a ffood position lor winter operations. 
 
 Bulla t The si)aee lying between the Dry Dock imd the winter- 
 
 grouiui. lerry shall be used as a ballast-ground, where the dredging 
 
 not required lor wharf work, shall be deposited, and also 
 the liallast from ships, other than stoiu' ; this last shall be 
 set aside for lilling cri])s, road-making, cS;:c. The spact; so 
 r«H'iaimed will ultimately be used for a IJaihvay freight 
 station ground, sites for warehouses. cSrc. 
 
 Ac.os.-^iMw..rk,< Access to wharves and piers by teams from the city will 
 " '^'** ■ be had at two points : the one at Dalhousie street, and along 
 the main wharf E. D., the other at Buteau st., and along 
 the main wharf J. K. Eventually, when the North Shore 
 Railway is constructed from St. Edward St., to main wharf 
 at C, there will be team roads alongside of it, so that the 
 wharf B. C. D., may be approached by horses, ike, from 
 that street. 
 
 jl.iiu wiiarri.-. Tlic main wharves will be of sullicient width to accom- 
 modate warehouses, elevators, cVc, where required, with 
 Railway tracks passing through them or alongside, and 
 also roadways for teams : thus the largest ships may lie 
 alongside an elevator or warehouse with Railway cars 
 within a few feet to bring or take away cargo. 
 
 The entrance Lock to Basins (to be formed on completion 
 ol Dam A. C, and wharf C. D.,) will admit at neap tides 
 vessels drawing 28 to '60 feet; there will thus be very few 
 hours of tlie day during which the Basin cannot be entered 
 by the largest vessels. The water in the Basin will be 
 always maintained at the same level notwithstanding 
 lockages, iVc, as the River St. Charles will furnish an 
 adequate supply to make good leakages, evaporation, lock 
 water and waste. 
 
 S(\v(Mn-r«». As the level of the St. Charles will eventually be per- 
 
 manently raised a'l along its Southern, margin, from Pointe- 
 a-Carcy westward.* to Scott's Bridge, the drainage at present 
 carried into it between these points, will have to be re- 
 arranged : it is proposed to construct a culvert along the 
 line of the piling of the North Shore Railway, from St. 
 
Id 
 
 Edward st,, across th«^ Pnlais Harbor and so on to tho main 
 wharf 15. C, and throuuh the hitter to low wat«^r )m'1ovv the 
 Dum A. C, in the present so-caUed North Channel of the 
 St. Charli's : all the Drainage west ol" tlir (las works to take 
 that line ; east of the Gas works a main drain would have 
 to be carried alonu' St. Paul st., into the St. LawriMice West 
 of Pointe-a-Carcv where it would dischaiijc at a suitable 
 level. 
 
 The Dry Dock will be eni^-red Ironi the ('onnoctinn' IJas- i>r.vi)..ok. 
 in, and may be used as an ordinary Do<k, when not requi- 
 red for repairing- vessels. In this way, it may b,- constantly 
 utilized by the trade; it is to bi' faced witii crib-work of 
 the most substantial character : but shall havc^ a masonry 
 entrance. It will be iitted with suitabl' sluices. l)y means 
 of which most of thi» water mav be drawn out of it with- 
 out ])umping'. In course of time, when the connectinii" Bas- 
 in shall be added to, for the purpose of extending the ac- 
 commodation, a second Dry Dock for vessels re(|uiring- liurht 
 repairs, may be easily provided, as shewn in supplementary 
 Plan, at comparativ(dy small exj^ense. Should the Dry 
 Dock be placed on i\ni South-East Shore, or at any place 
 other than the St. Charles River, as shewn in the Plan, its 
 place shall be taken in this scheme, by a wharf. 
 
 The chief argument [besides the easier construction •■^''^• 
 claimed], urged in favor of placing the Dry Dock on the 
 Grovernment property at Patton's, is the alleged advantag-e, 
 it would secure to vessels wintering there, of beini*' able to 
 u'et to sea so much earlier in the spring, than if they win- 
 tered in the St Charles or other part of the Kiver, closed by 
 ice. The case of the Allan steamer " Sarmatian," w^hich w^as 
 recently obliged to remain at Indian Cove for some ten 
 days, waiting for th(» River to clear of ice is rt'ferred to, as 
 a case in point, provinu" the advantage of a site, having 
 open water during the winter and early spring, as at Pat- 
 ton's. As the question, whether or not, it is eny practical 
 advantage for an occasional vessel to be able to leave her 
 winter quarters a linv weeks earlier than usual, and com- 
 mence her voyage down the River, before it is clear of ice, 
 — in the absence of buoys and liu'hts, — is more of a 
 commercial rhan an enginei'rinu' one, the writer does not 
 propose to discuss it at length here, but he would state, 
 
^ 14 
 
 that he has been authoritatively inibrmed on behalf of the 
 Messrs. Allan that had there ])ecn a Dock at Indian Cove, 
 and also a Railway running alongside of it, connecting with 
 the Grand Trunk, when the " fc'annaiian '' lay ti^vre, no dilier- 
 ence whatever, would have hww nadc in the steauKn's ar- 
 rangements ; her owners would not have talv^'U out her 
 cargo, sent it by rail to tho west, and ))rought another 
 down by the same conveyance. It therefore does not ap- 
 pear, that placing the Dry Dock at Dat ton's, would obviate 
 such drawbacks as occurred to the " 8armatian" on the occa- 
 sion in question. It would seem also, that even If occa- 
 sional vessels could leave Tatton's Cove earlier in the 
 spring, than from the '^.i. Charles, such early start would 
 not help tliem much, unless indeed, the winter or early 
 spring navigation of the St. jjawrence throughout, becomes 
 a fixed fact. But wliethei' winter [or early spring] naviga- 
 tion of the St. Lawrence is accompli'died or not, or whe- 
 ther, it becomes a commercial success or not, — which is an ad- 
 ditional matter of speculation — is it prudenl to throw away 
 ii^x problematical reasons, the manifest advau'-iges of placing 
 the Dock, in the St Cliaries ■ Constructed there, it will be 
 most convenient: labor to work it plentiful; it will be 
 useful, between times of repairs io vessels, and v,' ill thus 
 pay better ; it will contribute largely to the new nuprove- 
 ments ; ships coming to the Port requiring repairs, can dis- 
 charge their cargo al the Port [not several miles from it] 
 intoJNorth Shore llailway cars or lighters, and be docked at 
 the same time. 
 
 coiistnictivo The main wharves, piers, Dry Dock and Entrance Locks 
 m* vemont<^" ' ^^'® ^^ ^^^ ^^^ coustructed 01 CrilAvorii lacing (except a small 
 portion of Lock and Dry Dock entrances which shall ]je of 
 masonry) hlled in between wath earth, clay, ballast or other 
 suitable material, (whieh, if the dredgiiigsare notsuliicient,) 
 may be cheaply o)>tained on the line of the Nortli Shore 
 llailway, loaded there v/ith Steam shovels, moved by, and 
 deposited in place from the Ivailwa.y Cars. To make the 
 exterior wharves, Dr}' Dock and Lock water tiglit, a trench 
 placed about midwa}- between the Ci'ibwovk facings, and 
 lengthwise with wharves, shall be dredged, to wlmtever 
 depth may be necessar} to reach the impermeable stratum 
 underlying the sand ; in this trench shall be laid a Bcton 
 or Cement concrete wall, constructed and laid after the 
 manner so successfully employed for many years by eminent 
 
 provemeutH, 
 
16 
 
 Fivn<h Knoiiitvrfi ; it .shall n^noli IVom tlu' impermoablo 
 stratum l^clow to low waUn* level a}M)\-e : — Commencing on 
 top oT this lieton wall, a elay ]>U(ldlc wall shall ho raised to 
 ahovo hif/ii water mark, the Bt'-ton wall shall be carefully 
 eonneeled with the imp''rmeal»le stratum belnw, by help of 
 ] livers and a suitable ramminii" apj>aratus : the juiddle wall 
 sludl also ])oiid well into the ]>eU)n wall : the two forminir 
 a, watei" liLiiit eore. \V"ll jn'otected and stayed l)y the eril)- 
 worh: i;i<'iim- iiiid e1a\' endiaidvuienl surrounding' them. In 
 additi<Mi to tlie JieiOn-pu<i<iK' eore wali, th*' Dry J)oek and 
 ivdranee ]joelc will have their sides ailtl bottom dou)>lt» 
 ])lnnk:Hl to rendi'v them waler-tii>ht. in tlie manner usually 
 done in \v(mden lo-ks us d in eamils in Canada and the 
 llr.ited States. 
 
 l)urini»' the AVint<r llie h^loaiiiu]-' Basin can be emptied, if 
 re(juired, for re})airs, and the v>'aterin the St. Charles low- 
 ered accord in til y : t'lis m;:y be a eoirNeiiiv-nce ro the owners 
 oi' Ship-yards ijouii- the St. Charles. 
 
 Tlit^ advaiita/jev; of tlie piopos-'d Improvements are l)e- iMiiuipni tut- 
 li''ved to be i:n])oita,it . If a(l<«pb^d and carried out. vaun.-i' .-hii- 
 
 i 1 nietl lor uii- 
 
 yuuvoiucnt?. 
 
 1. They will liive ultimately a \'ery laruH' area of deep 
 water in the i)vo])osed new St. Charles Harbor and for some 
 distancv' up the Kivi-r St. Charles at a constant level. 
 
 2. They will furnish nt o]i:'e considerable \vharfai>v and 
 l^asin accommodation which will l)e c:i])able of easy exten- 
 sion hereafter. 
 
 3. They vrill Inrn-ely benefit St. Paul Street wharves by 
 chan<a'inu' liiejn ii^.io deep water berths for larure ships. 
 
 4. The DiyDock is favcr/ably situated for the trade : 
 when not em]>loyed in rejuiiis, its sides may 1)0 used as or- 
 diiuiry wharves as shewn on Plan : it forms a, part of the 
 Vvdiarllmi' necessary to enclose the liuatin;^' basin : in lact 
 its construction at'that place, answers two purposes, that of 
 a Dry Dock and an enclosini: wall for Basin : its utility in 
 this latter respect, saves the expiMise of 700 feet of wharf- 
 ing. which v\0uld otherwise have to be built at a cost of 
 $100,000 at least. 
 
5. The irapvovoments will mako tho cost ol' traiirtiornnjr 
 livijiht to iind iVom tho cars and tho loa(lint»' and unloadin<»' 
 of vessols a mininium: tho saving" on this latt«M' iti^m alono, 
 [iiTospi'ctivi^ of the indirect benefit from quick despatch,] 
 will amount annually to more than the interest on the 
 whole cost of improvements. 
 
 The improvements i)rovide the Ix'st line of appiviach 
 for {]\o Nortli Shore llailway to deep water and connection 
 with shii)pinu'. The ships and ears will lie sid<' ])y side for 
 a distance of over*a mik' with the improvements now con- 
 templated above. The advantages of this method of con- 
 necting'' the luvilway with the deep water over the Plan ol' 
 carryinii' it down between St. Paul street and th(^ lliver, 
 must ])e evident to every one. It is bel'eved the cost in 
 construction and damages of thi» St. Paul street route, 
 would exceed th(^ cost of brimming the line down, as shewn 
 on Plans, and makino' a water-tight wharf C. D. ; while the 
 former line will uive few, if any facilities for business, and 
 the latter an abundance of room for tracks, buildings, ike, 
 close to det^i^ water. 
 
 7. It is })elieved the proposed works will improve the St. 
 Charles River, and the industrial establishments along its 
 margin, by giving a constant level of deep water uj) to 
 Scott's I]ridg«\ 
 
 8. The improvements utilize the l)ri>ak-water, and they 
 provide practical means of interchange of traffic with Rail- 
 ways on South Shore. 
 
 9. The adoption of wood construction for the major part 
 of the Dry Dock is claimed as an advantage for this plan, 
 as the economy resulting from employing it is in accordance 
 with the circumstances of trade at the Port of Quebec, 
 which has so short a season ol activity. Massive stone 
 structures may suit and be remunerative in Europe where 
 labor and capital cost about half what they do in Canada, 
 while the season for business is twice as long ; these cir- 
 cumstances shew a hig.i ratio of difference in the two cases 
 and they indicate roughly a proportionate expenditure of 
 about 4 to 1 which should if possible be observedj other 
 things being equal. 
 
17 
 
 10 Tho improvements will he easily repaired and re- 
 nt wed. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The verj'- best position ibr the entrances to the Dry Dock 
 and Ihr wharves eannot be precisely indicated until a minute 
 and carejul survey shall have been made (jI' the St. Charles, 
 and the srrcNgi./i and /ifrmeabi/iti/ oi" the strata at diiii'rent 
 depths discovered. The shoals, currents and other modily- 
 ini»" features should ))•• also accurately aseertaijied. 8uch 
 data could only be approxiniatrly <)})tained by eonipi'titors 
 individually, in the 'ime allowed for preparation oi" plans, 
 ike, and the undeisiniicd (h'siics to state that as it was not 
 furnished by the Coiiiiiiissioners, he claims th«* rig-ht ofbeinu' 
 allowed at any time to modify the form and position of the 
 entrances and works propose(l by him in the aceonipanyiiiii; 
 plans should the data referred to be obtaiinnl before the 
 plans are submitted to the Dominion Uovernment and the 
 award made. 
 
 K. W. PLl'NKKTT. 
 Montreal 14th December, 1874.