The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-03

of the Navy, he mentioned IA communica
tion from the Commissioners of the Navy
dated 10Th Oct. 1899. on'Nsval affairs, al
the commencement of the last session oil
Congress, which afforded some views ia
relation to the fitness of the harbor of New
part, Rhode Island, or some place in the
Narragansett Bay, for a Naval Depot and
rendezvous for the United States Navy"
On seeing the above | have taken the
liberty Of informing you that on the Goth Of
January, 1900. was directed by the Hon.
Benjamin Stoddartt, then Secretary of the
Navy, to visit and examine The Ports and
Harbors of New-London, CT, Newport g.
Providence, RI, Boston and Caarlestown,
Mass, Portsmouth, N. H., Portland and
Wiscasset, for the purpose Of Naval Estab.
lishments: All which ports and harbors, l
carefully examined and sounded, and re.
turned to Philadelphia the beginning Of A.
pril following, and made report to the
Secretary Of the advantages and disadvan.
tsges, as I conceived, attending each OF
these ports, together with the notes Of my
proceedings as went along, and conclud.
cd my report as follows:
"Having considered and compared the
advantages and disadvantages Of situation,
with capacity Of Harbor, raise Of tide, ex-
pense Of building Docks, price of land, ia
cility ofnavigation and capability of defence
previously stated at each port. am decid.
edly of opinion that NEWPORT, Rhode.Is.
land, 10 By far the most suitable port for
dry docks, and great Naval Port for our
Navy, for The case and safety of entry at
all seasons Of the year, its preference to
any other eastern port is universally ac-
knowlsdged, the principal and only objec-
ton is the great expence Of fort6cation,
which may amount to more than million
Of dollars. IN
"Boston harbor has been preferred by
some, but experience has shown that dur
ing the revolutionary war, q French and
Englsh "a gunship were both lost in Bos-
ton Bay, which aro evident marks Of its
dangerous coast and harbov. Neither
monoy nor art can ever xlter the winds,
remove the shoals, or dispel the fogs,
which are attached to Nantasket road and
coast The amount of loss of those two
ships suppose would pay from one halfto
two thirds Of the cost Of fortifying Newport.
Upon comparative accidents which have
happened, and the cause still! existing, it is
fair to calculate what may happen in future.
] am justified in this conclusion by the
mode pursued by tho underwriters, who
calculate their premiums by the experience
shey have gained from what has passed 4
from which it 10 prudent and justifable to
ealculate a continual loss equal to the
cases stated. and in an increased proper |
tion as our Navy becomes more numerous.
How different is Boston Port, when com. |
parcd with that Of Rhode. Island. where
vou have no reason TO calculate loss in
century.
"During the late war,tbc enemy by tax.
ing possession Of Rhode Island, cut of
che communication in part, between the
Eastern and Middle States. To guard a.
gsinst this in future, it may be doubted
whether nsvy dock yards will call for any
additional expense for Notifications, than
for general defence, as there is no situa-
tion within the United States, more con-
venient to favor the depredations ofan En-.
envy than Rhode Island, nor from which
our trade would be more liable to destruc.
tion from the excursions ofther cruisers.
"Thc united interest ofthe states, renders
this ono Ct the most important ports for the
attention Of government.
81 cannot close this Report without stat
ing the .propriety Of fortifying the most
suitable place for the protection Of Gard
ner's Bay, to prevent an enemy from taking
possession Of it."
The above concluding Report on navy
yards. may be Of some use although il il
Z long time since il was made; some able
men are ofa different opinion, and prefer
She port of Boston.
am Very Respectfully,
JOSHUA HUMPHREYS.
T. Co.