The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-17

stood, that s canal is In tonteniplsti,n, Be.
tween Massachusetts Bay and the waters OF
Rhode Isand;snd should the work he complei
ed upon scale sufficiently extensive TO admit
the passage of steam batteries and sloops OF
war, il would become highly important,as pre-.
senting the means of afiording additional pro.
iectonlto our line Of coast east OF Cape Cod *
Nantucket South Shoal, by direct, safe and
speedy communication between Boston and
Newport, while merchant vessels bouud to
Boston. wonid often particularly in time of
war avail themselves Of this channel, to roach
their destined port For our ships render.
vousing at or near Newport, Boston might
thus be relied on as furnishing the necessary
supplies that may be required during either
peace or war.
As has heretofore been observed Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, is liable to particular ohjec'
tions; and its remote position, and Boston In.
tervening, deprive it of any advantages II,
might otherwise possess, as an auxiliary es.
lablishment. New York, Philadelphia, and
Pensacola, are neither of them easily accessi.
ble--the two latter cannot be entered by ships
Of great drsught ofwater at any time.
The Yard a, Washington has been establish
ed at great expense. Ii possesses iac,ones Of
chain cables, anchors, camboosos. blocks east
ing, and laboratory stores generally and ad-
vantages attach TO these valuable factories,
being conducted under the immediate eve of
government and although, like Philadelphia
II does not afford sufficient depth OF water TO
admit the passage of ships of heavy dranght.
with their guns and stores rn board yet still
considering its connection wnh the Chesa.
peake Bay, and the facility with which the
hulls of ships, of the largest class may be tow
ed 10 Hampton Roads or 10 Norfolk, by com.
mon steam boats, it will bo ston that II is not
destitute Of advantages, even as building
yard, ifriewod in the light Of an auxiliary to
larger and more important establishment, in
the lower waters oftho Chesapeake
Upon the whole with respect 10 the mum.
ber otyards, viewing the question in all lis
aspects, the Commissioners Of the Navy,
with great Difference, submit the opinion
that, with the exception ofths yards at Bos.
ton, Washington and Norfolk, and another
near the Gulf of Mexico principally as
place Tor the depositc Of storcs,l all OF our
other yards might, in the course Of few
years, (sllowng time to remove the ships,
Sc. be dispensed with, without injury to
the naval service--provided an establish
mcni be made near Newport Rhode Island.
That tho places of general rendezvous, in
peace and in wsr,should be the Chesapeake
Bay and the waters at or near Newport
that the yard at Washington should DO re-.
tained M an auxiliary to the one--and that
at Boston as an auxiliary 20 the other. And
the opinion is confidently entertained. tina,
economy and efficiency would be greatly
promoted by such All arrangement.
As 10 the most ad' isable position pcnr
Newpor,a satsfac,ory Judgment cannot be
formed until thorough and minute exami-
nation shall have been made. 1t known
that there are several suitable plnces-but
II is not known which is entitled TO prefe-
renee.
y ~
have tho honor TO be, with grcn. respec,
cir, your obediept servant.
JOHN RODGERS.
Hon JoUS BpANcu Sec Of the Nayv