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FLOATING DRY DOCK UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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I The great lion in Gainesville is the floating dock now in process of construction — a stupendous work, projected by Capt. '''Vallette of Algiers. After inspecting the whole Louisiana and Mississippi sea-board, comparing their resources for building such a colossus, he fixed on this place, and here he fo und the skill, energy and enterprise to supnly the materials as fast as they were required — Capt. W. J. Poitevent^- so well known on both sides of the Lake.	v
The dock was commenced in December, 1865, and cannot be completed before October but will be launched about the 1st of August next. It has a depth of 31 feet; breadth, 86 feet; length, 260 feet.
u To construct the bottom, 500,000 feet of lumber was used, val^d at $17,000; 1200 sticks of solid timber, from 12 to 16 inches square, and from U-0 to 60 feet long, have already been worked up. Amount of lumber, when completed, 2,000,000 feet; amount of iron,
150 tons — one iron bolt, one inch square, to every cubic foot.
Two sets of floor timbers, each 1*+ inches square, the interstices caulked with we dges on top and sheathed over with two-inch plank, to prevent the wedges from working out; and still another floor, or bottom of four inch planks, spiked on to the other, and caulked with oakum.
There are four bulkheads, fore and aft, feet thick; centre bulkhead five feet thick. Depth of hold from deck to bottom 10 feet. Double sides 6 feet apart. Reception chamber 36 by 260 feet with outriggers, fore and aft, 25 feet long. It will have a capacity to receive the largest steamships and sea-going vessels.
Forty-one white mechanics and laborers, at from $2 to SM- per day, and M-0 colored mechanics and laborers at $1.50 to per day, are employed. 10 mules and ox teams.
Its probable cost $150,000.
Its owners are yourXrel 1-known valuable citizens (of New Orleans) F. Folger, F. B. Sumner, F. Vallette, 0. Vallette, Charles Morgafi, et al, General Superintendent 0. Vallette, Foreman Henry Kepper^
When completed it will be towed by two powerful steam tugs down P^arl River, via Ship Island and the Balize, and be anchored at Vallette*s Ship Yard, Algiers — a monument of New Orleans enterprise, of the skill of her workmen, and of the resources of Southeastern Mississippi to fit out and supply all the demands of the national and commercial marine.
2£-30 MILLS IN ? COAST COUNTIES
Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties can produce the pine, the live oak, the cypress and cedar, the tar, pitch and turpentine for the whole nation.
There are some 25 or 30 mills now in operation, and others pr o j ec t ed.	Hancock county historical society
p. 0. BOX 1340 BAY ST. LOUIS, MS 39520