Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-01-24
ON A NAVAL RENDEsvoUs.

ttut otutts utttSu DSCtHUCF lOtN. 1919.
Much anxiety has been lately excited in
the minds of the people living adjacent to
York River, by a report of a project now
IN the contemplation of government, to es-
tablish Naval depot at York Town, in
Virginia. 1t seems now to be agreed BY
all parties, that the navy ought to be en-
creased. It is justly deemed the bulwark
of our rights. The laurels which now en-
circle the brows of our naval heroes, e.
vince the prophetic wisdom of the father of
his country-and speak more for the navy
than volumes would, were they as nume-
rOus as those of the celebrated Alexandria
library. Should the government deter
mime, permanently to establish a mere cx-
elusive dock-yard or naval depot in one
Ut the southern states, it is believed that,
on examination of our maritime frontier.
from Newport, RhOde-Isiand, to st. Ma
rvs river in Georgia, no place will be found
possessing as many natural advantages, or
so capable ofbelng made to afford every
benefit expected from such establishments,
as York town, on York river, in Virginia
have spoken of advantages-I will en-
deayor to point them out.
Of .NarigatiOn.-York town is distant
from Capes Charles and Henry, common
ly called the Capes of Virginia, sixty
miles-from the mouth of York river, ten
miles-from the Capes, to what is called
York Channel, about forty -fve miles, a
clear, opened, unobstructed, navigation.
for vessels of any burthen is found. York
Channel lies between the shoals of Egg-Is-
land and PowsoD, on the south and the
point OF shOal called the Spitt,' which
projects INTO the Chesapeake BAY from the
northeast point of land, forming the
mouth of York river. In recent conyersa-
tons with mariners, well acquainted with
the Channel, learned that the least depth
OF water at low tide was to be found at the
point of the Spitt," and this depth, from
to 8 fathoms--here then in the shoales
Part of" York River channel' much grea-
ter depth of water is found thanis necessa-
ry, to float secure vessels of the largest
class, now generally used in European ma
vies we have here from forty two 10 forty
eight feet OF wafer. A seyenty-four gun
ship completely fitted for war will dtaw
from 25 to so feet; an eighty gun ship,
from SO to SIS feet. From the point of the
I" Split" to York Town, (aboutl5 miles) a
bold unimpeded navigation presents itself,
the channel varying its debth from 10 to Is
iathOms. Experience toe, sir, 1.-THE best tu-
tor ofman) supports the above statement
we know th2tduring the memorable and
important seige of York in 1871 (where
terminated all the proud hopes of Britain,
and the successful issue of which sealed
the independence of our country three
eighty gun ships. part of the French fleet
under the command Of Comta De Grasse.
anchored, across the mouth of York River,
to aid the lard operations of the siege by
blockade OF the riyer--and again, in the
winter 1880, two French armed ships, the
Fier llhOderique" of Ct guns, and the
FandOn' of "a guns, lay most of the
winter, immediately off the town of York
these instances are adduced to shew you,
that there is sufficient depth of water for
every naval purpose but in addition, /
will state that at late confined survey of
the river opposite the town. the depth Of
water was ascertained by lead line reyl-
larly marked as follows:
46 yards from low water mark, 4 fathom.
54 do do 6 do
ca do do z do
The next cast of the lead, supposed to
be about 10 yards from the shore, the line
lin extent Is 10 faith. run out. Thus sir.
you see that under the muzzIes of our
cannon, water sufficient to float vessel of
any burthen yet ever built, is fuund.-I
have recolected York Town for twenty
five years past, and do not remember ever
seeing the river blocked up by ice or any
impeachment to its navigation ever arising
from distractions by ice.
Of Dctence--The poins ofhigh land on which
the towns of York and Gloucester afe situated.
project so considerably into the river, as to mar
row the distance from high land to high land
across the river, to a little more than mile
The width ofthe river is three quarters of a mile
The Perpendicular height Of the high lands va
ries, the medium height about so feet above the
margin or surface of the river. Here there is am
pie space to erect batteries of two or three tier
Of guns, which throwing cross fire with the
works which may be erected on /" Gloucester
Point" upol an approaching enemy, and part.
cula.ly faded by Fulton Steam Baticry'' ~.
ing athwsrt the channel, would render the river
impervious 90 any naval force which can be sent
against Thy European nation.
Defence on the LaHd stle.---The Town ofYork
is nearly insulated by proximity of the head wa.
tiers Of" York Creek" and those Of q" WormIev's
Creek" &C. York Greek" empties into The river
above the town, about quarter Of mile, and
runs IN curyillinear direction TO the South about
three'fOurths Of The towns "Wormley's CreekD
also emptes into York river, below lie town, ard
takes curved course Westwartlly towards the
bend Of York creek A rsrk IS Isu1 -. IL. u