Further Report On The Free Port Of Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN. 9 At the bottom of each silo are large funnel-shaped openings, or spouts, through which the grain can be passed as required. The silos are not continued below the first floor, so that the ground floor, through the roof of which the above-mentioned spouts protrude, is left free for lofts, and for two railway lines passing through the whole length of the warehouse, and having an open platform between them. The lower walls are of immense thickness, and strengthened by iron girders to enable them to support the enormous superin- cumbent weight. The basement is almost entirely taken up by machinery, by whicli the whole work of the warehouse is done. Six tunnels on each side of the basement communicate with Method of the quay by apertures in the latter through whicli grain may be loading and shot, and conveyed by means of an endless strap to the centre of grain.18 the warehouse. Thence it is carried to the top of the building, a distance of 125 feet, by powerful lifts, and the weight automatically registered. By its own weight the grain is then run through a system of inclined tunnels into the silo or loft in whicli it is to be stored. Each elevator is capable of raising 600 tönde (about 2,300 bushels per hour). The process of loading is even more simple. The grain is run from the loft or silo into trucks communicating witli the nearest lift. It is then carried to the top of the storehouse, and run through an inclined tunnel to the outer wall of the building, whence crane-like iron conduits carry it over the hold of the ship, and by means of a flexible tube, pour it directly into the portion of the hold that it is destined to occupy. There are three of these conduits on either side of the warehouse. All the elevators and other means of transport are driven by electricity, whicli is ready for use at all times. On the central mole is a large shed intended for the storage of Large storage bulky and less delicate goods. shed. Railway lines run the whole length of the quays, and enable Bailways, trucks to be loaded directly from all the warehouses and sheds in the free port. As soon as the railway arrangements are completed it will be possible to run these trucks straight on to the Danish rail- ways, and by means of the steam-ferry on to the railways of Sweden. In a word, no means have been neglected to enable goods to be cleared simply, cheaply, and expeditiously. A row of small ship chandlers’ shops at the south end of the Ship free port will provide provisions and everything tliat ships chandlers' ordinarily require. As the port is outside the customs boundary, sails, ropes, chains, &c., will be sold free of entrance duty. Every effort will be made to facilitate the passage through the Custom- custom-house of goods destined for the interior of Denmark or house, the Continent. The railway which carries goods from the free port runs immediately in front of the custom-house, all the arrangements of whicli are designed to save unnecessary trouble and delay. Space has, I am told, already been rented in the free port for