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. 95: “Sourabaya is one of the chief towns of the isle of Java, with an extensive trade, and produces many supplies for shipping. There is an excellent naval yard, containing a dry dock 280 feet in length, a patent slip, which, with the dock, are under iron sheds, also an iron and steam factory, with first-rate engineers, a basin capable of con-
p. 96: taining 20 vessels from 100 to 800 tons, provided with sheers, sheds, and every other accommodation for repairs; wages from 8dL to Is. 2d. per diem, according to the ability of the workmen; also a good hospital. A powerful steam dredge is constantly at work. Vessels may at once embark their cargoes without employing proas, and all sorts of supplies and refreshments are to be had in abundance, especially fresh water, which is filtrated and purified, and carried on board in tanks, in the same manner as at Batavia. The river is broad and elongated by two piers, and at high water there is sufficient depth for large proas and square-rigged coasting vessels, which come in to be careened and repaired at low water; however, great care is requisite in entering the river, even with boats, there being sometimes only a foot of water upon the bank; and if not kept just in the mid-channel, they may be upset by the current. The road is esteemed very healthy, and affords in all seasons proper and safe berths for vessels of all sizes. The anchorage is about half-a-mile from the entrance of the river.”
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.
