Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That’s quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible. Of essential interest for navy and merchant ships was where in the world dock (yard) facilities were available for ordinary repairs or in case of emergency. The costs of using such a facility was of course also of interest and finally these information was of great value in times of war.
P. 244: “Cartagena is situated in lat. 37° 36.0” K, long., 0° 58' 42” W. This port, which has sufficient water for the largest ships, was at one time a most important and flourishing naval station, but has gradually declined since Spain has ceased to hold the rank of a first-class maritime power. In addition to the dry docks, constructed in the last century, Cartagena possesses an iron floating dock, 325 feet long, 105 feet broad, and capable of receiving a vessel of 27 feet draught of water. The lifting power, independent of the weight of the dock, is about 6,500 tons. Mr. Consul Turner, in his report for 1866, says, speaking of this dock, that it is the intention of the Government to hire it to the Mercantile Marine; and the Administration of Marine are now forming a scale of charges for the occupation of the dock, which will be moderate, and the repairs may be executed by the owners or agents of the vessels, employing their own workmen or those of the arsenal, paying them the same wages which they gain in that establishment.”
Source
G.D. Urquhart. Dues and charges of shipping in foreign ports; a manual of reference for the use of shipowners, shipbrokers, & shipmasters. London, 1869.
