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. 49: “The only docks in the colony are those of Algiers. They are two in number. The first of these is not yet completed. It will, when finished, be capable of holding the largest man-of-war in the French navy. The second is intended for smaller vessels. In its present state the larger of the two would require little to complete
p. 50: it. The smaller of the two has already been. Used for the repairs of several merchant vessels. Its dimensions are 278 feet long, by 65 feet broad; but although no tide affects the elevation of the waters on the coast of Algeria, a variation, of which the maximum is two feet, does exist, and may be ascribed to wind, current, and surge; and when these three combine it is difficult, if not impossible, owing to their exposed position towards the north, to get a vessel into dock without the risk of damaging it in the attempt. The position of these docks, which are next to each other, is with reference to the town, due south, and with reference to the lighthouse they are S.S.W. These docks are the property of the French Government, and they are, whenever available, at the service of her Majesty’s navy, and that of every friendly power. They are likewise open to the mercantile marine of every nation, when they are not in use for Government purposes, and no charge has hitherto been made. The expense of pumping the docks dry is, as a matter of course, defrayed by the party using them. It amounts to about £20 for the smaller basin, which can be pumped out in two and a half hours. Four shillings may be set down as the average price of dockyard labour at Algiers; it varies, however, according to the nature of the work required to be performed. In detail the prices are: for a head workman 4s 10d per day, a head marine Labourer 3s 3d, an ordinary one 2s 10 d, a carpenter 3s 7d a common Labourer s2 0d, a Blacksmith 4s 0d and a diver, when diving apparatus is used 7s 3d. Materials for repairing ships are scarce, but for the British navy the French Admiralty would readily offer anything they had in their naval storehouses. For the mercantile marine, however, they would object to do so without a declaration from the Chamber of Commerce of Algiers that no materials such as those required can be had in the port or in the market. In such an emergency one-fifth more than the cost price would have to be paid for such materials. There are no floating docks or gridiron slips in this port or anywhere else on the coast of Algeria.”
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.
P. 49: “The only docks in the colony are those of Algiers. They are two in number. The first of these is not yet completed. It will, when finished, be capable of holding the largest man-of-war in the French navy. The second is intended for smaller vessels. In its present state the larger of the two would require little to complete
p. 50: it. The smaller of the two has already been. Used for the repairs of several merchant vessels. Its dimensions are 278 feet long, by 65 feet broad; but although no tide affects the elevation of the waters on the coast of Algeria, a variation, of which the maximum is two feet, does exist, and may be ascribed to wind, current, and surge; and when these three combine it is difficult, if not impossible, owing to their exposed position towards the north, to get a vessel into dock without the risk of damaging it in the attempt. The position of these docks, which are next to each other, is with reference to the town, due south, and with reference to the lighthouse they are S.S.W. These docks are the property of the French Government, and they are, whenever available, at the service of her Majesty’s navy, and that of every friendly power. They are likewise open to the mercantile marine of every nation, when they are not in use for Government purposes, and no charge has hitherto been made. The expense of pumping the docks dry is, as a matter of course, defrayed by the party using them. It amounts to about £20 for the smaller basin, which can be pumped out in two and a half hours. Four shillings may be set down as the average price of dockyard labour at Algiers; it varies, however, according to the nature of the work required to be performed. In detail the prices are: for a head workman 4s 10d per day, a head marine Labourer 3s 3d, an ordinary one 2s 10 d, a carpenter 3s 7d a common Labourer s2 0d, a Blacksmith 4s 0d and a diver, when diving apparatus is used 7s 3d. Materials for repairing ships are scarce, but for the British navy the French Admiralty would readily offer anything they had in their naval storehouses. For the mercantile marine, however, they would object to do so without a declaration from the Chamber of Commerce of Algiers that no materials such as those required can be had in the port or in the market. In such an emergency one-fifth more than the cost price would have to be paid for such materials. There are no floating docks or gridiron slips in this port or anywhere else on the coast of Algeria.”
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.
