We have lately visited the Imperial Arsenal of Foochow. The works now progressing towards completion are of magnitude and importance, their capability, and the general perfection of plan and arrangements surprised us.
think a few notes made on the spot may interest our readers.
Before the year 1866, the Viceroy of Fohkein considered it was necessary for the welfare and security of the rich and populous province which he governs, that an arsenal should be estaplished on the banks of the river Min, near to Foochow, with a yard for building ships of war, or transports on foreign model, and that workshops should be constracted for making marine steam engines, armaments of ships ete., ete. The chief direction of the works was given to Monsieur Pros-pere Giquel, an officer of the French navy who had greatly distinguished himself by the part he took in the suppression of the Taiping rebellion in the province of Chekiang. On the establishment of peace and order in the country around Ningpo, M. Giquel was appointed to the charge of the Foreign Customs in Shanghai, and Shanghai has always been fortunate in having meu of great ability and high character, such as Mr. Fitzroy, M. Giquel and Mr. Dick, in charge of the station. After atime, M. Giquel was removed to Hankow, at which place he acted as chief Commissioner of Customs, and at the same time superintended the formation of a corps of Chinese troops who were drilled at the camp of Woochang upon the foreign system. The Viceroy of hein is happy in having secured the services of so able mau as Mousiear Giquel.
The arsenal dockyard is on the bank of the river Min, above the anchorage, and near to the Pagoda: It is on a fiat piece of ground, which is surrounded on all sides bnt that of the river bank by high hills. The river Min is very deep, and close to the bank, ships eau anchor in from 4 to 6 fathoms of water.
The river wall is nearly a mile long, much of it is already faced by permanent work, in some parts of masonry, in others by timber supports.
If we start from the fine and*com-odious granite dry dock of Messrs. John Forster & Ca., we first of all come to thearsenalcoal wharf, where stores of Sydney and Cardiff coal are kept in substantial sheds, close to the river side, and with a convenient jetty for landing, and shipment.
We next come to the magnificent new slip, which has been put into its place, and in a short time will be in working order. The work is one of such mag-nitride that we lay before our readers a detailed account of it. Only one other slip of equal magnitude to that of Foochow exists. It is at Bordeaux, where it is used for the repair of the largest transatlantic steamers.
The slip is one of Labat's patent, and of the largest size. It is constructed to take a ship sideways on the cradle, and not end on, as is the common and dangerous practice. The width of the slip is 321 feet. It is constructed of 42 sets of wooden frames, on each frame is an iron rail, to which the cradle rollers correspond. By 42 vices the cradle is held on the slip, and the long cradle is hoisted by steam. The cradle can take a ship of 350 or 400 feet long, in fact any of H.B. M. Indian troop-ships, such as the Serapis, Jumna, &., could be placed on it with safety and despatch, although suck vessels are of over 4,000 tons measurement. At high tide a vessel drawing 24 feet can be taken on the cradle, and raised. Attached to the slip are powerful engines for raising the cradle and ship, and every arrangement fur quick and efficient repairs of ships, will soon be provided.
The slip was launched on the 26th March. The operation of launching lasted from 7} p.m. that day to 4 past 6 a.m. of the next day, and was completed when the tide served at 5 to 6 p.m. 27th March, The 42 frames were placed on as many ways, wedges were withdrawn, and the slip descended by its own weight. To prevent a quick and constantly quickening motion, the enormous mass of timber and iron was fastened to seven largo capstans firmly fixed in the rear, two more capstans placed at the side were used to give direction when necessary. The ways were well greased with tallow, and great precautions were taken against accident. The operation was attended with great anxiety to M. Giquel and to the officers of the arsenal, as the slip had to be moved down the river bank for a distance of 72 feet. The first movement was short and slow, and the timber frame groaned and creaked in every fastening. The noise at times was deafening. One capstan broke, but the other six stood well, and no other accident occurred. No man was hurt, thanks to the admirable discipline maintained amongst the Chinese labourers, who received orders in silence.
After we pass the slip we come to the wharton which a set of iron shears, to be worked by steam, and capable of raising 40 tons weight, will be shortly erected.
Farther on is a building slip upon which a vessel of over 1000 tons measurement will soon be built. The vessel is to serve the double purpose of transport and cargo ship. She will be able to carry from 500 to 700 Chinese soldiers, and their equipments for a short voyage, and a cargo of about 700 to 800 tons of rice. The model of the vessel is handsome, and her construction will have great strength, as she will be built entirely of Moolave wood, and Bankok teak, and have strong din-gonal iron ties fore and aft. The shape of the vessel judging from the moulds is good, though somewhat exceptional on account of the conditions to be met; viz. a speed of 9 knots at deep load draught of 13 feet. The water lines are rather full forward to obtain the necessary buoyant Rext jo order we visited ways upon which there is a gunboat of 500 tons measurement ready for launching. The model is good for speed under steam
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.