2-982-646 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New Hydraulic Lift at the Victoria Docks, [London], 1858. 'The new graving-docks in connection with the Victoria Docks, the construction of which was commenced about two years back, have been completed, and are stated to have proved perfectly successful. They are on a new principle, patented by Mr. James Scott, formerly of Falkirk. By an hydraulic lift and a contrivance for subsequently floating each vessel into shallow water, where all the necessary examinations and repairs can be conducted from workshops alongside, the excessive cost of the excavations necessary under the old system is entirely avoided. Our Sketch shows the Lift in operation when an iron vessel of 600 tons was raised to its required position in thirty-five minutes. The outlay on the works has been £116,000, furnished by a few engineers and capitalists associated for the purpose as a company under the Limited Liability Act. The advantages, simplicity, and inexpensiveness of the plan having been demonstrated, it may be expected to be extensively carried out, not only at home, but at the principal ports of Australia, California, &c., where the absence of such facilities is a cause of constant difficulty.' From "Illustrated London News", 1858.