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| Thirteen million litres later, the ancient drydock is revealed. |
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| Thirteen million litres later, the ancient drydock is revealed. |
The Kingston Marine Museum in Ontario, was built in 1891. A major problem - how to pump 13 million litres of water out of the Marine Museum dry dock - was solved by modern submersible pumping technology. ITT Flygt has loaned the Museum three BIBO 2250 electric submersible pumps, complete with hoses and Flygt's on-site dewatering expertise. A single BIBO 2250 can pump 150 l/s at a height of 28 metres. These pumps, specifically designed for the toughest mine or construction drainage applications, posed no problems for the dock dewatering.
According to an 1896 paper, the dock was designed to provide for the repairing of craft on the Great Lakes. In 1889, the Government of Canada commenced the construction of the dry dock at Kingston, which was completed in 1892. The plans and specifications, excepting the details of the pumping plant and engine house, were prepared by Dr. Henry F. Perley, M.Can.Soc.C.E.
In the paper, it states: "In determining the dimensions of the dock, it was judged that they should exceed, by a small amount, those of the locks on the Welland canal, so that any vessel which could pass through them could be admitted to the dock, and a length of 280 ft. on the floor, and 48 ft. width of entrance was adopted. During construction, representations were made, that the width of the entrance was not sufficient to admit some paddle-wheel steamers plying on Lake Ontario, and it was increased to 55 ft., such change involving the widening of the body of the dock, increasing the size of the caisson and the dimensions of the caisson chamber."
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