Description
Throughout the 19th century, stone masonry was generally used in constructing graving docks, quay walls, and wharves. As late as the 1850s, the cut stones of granite were set in lime mortar; after that, they were set in portland cement mortar. In most instances the quarried and trimmed building stone used in graving docks is granite. These structures usually incorporate massive gravity walls, the stability of which is a function of their mass. The designers of masonry waterfront structures specified greater mass, proportional to the expected loads, than is customary with mass concrete used today. Granite masonry usually develops no maintenance problems except at the joints.