DOCK, in maritime affairs, a sort of broad and deep trench, formed on the side of a harbour, or on the banks of a river; and commodiously fitted either to build ships, or receive them to be repaired and breamed therein. These sorts of docks have generally strong flood-gates to prevent the flux of the tide from entering the dock while the ship is under repair. — There are likewise docks of another kind, called wet docks, where
Dock
Doddridge. where a ship can only be cleaned during the receds of the tide, or in the interval between the time when the tide left her dry a-ground, and the period when it again reaches her by the return of the flood. Docks of the latter kind are not furnished with the usual flood-gates.
Dock-Yards, certain magazines containing all sorts of naval stores and timber for ship-building. In England, the royal dock-yards are at Chatham, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Deptford, Woolwich, and Sheerness. His majesty's ships and vessels of war are generally moored at these ports during the time of peace; and such as want repairing are taken into the docks, examined, and refitted for service.
The principal dock-yards are governed by a commissioner, resident at the port; who superintends all the musters of the officers, artificers, and labourers, employed in the dock-yard, and ordinary. He also controls their payment therein; examines the accounts; contracts, and draws bills on the navy-office to supply the deficiency of stores; and, finally, regulates whatever belongs to the dock-yard, maintaining due order in the respective offices.
These yards are generally supplied from the northern crowns with hemp, pitch, tar, rosin, canvas, oak-plank, and several other species. With regard to the masts, particularly those of the largest size, they are usually imported from New-England.