Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-12-13
NEW PORT
THURSDAY MORNING, DEC, l3, 1910.

I5@l'he Introductory Lecture before the
Mechanics Association was delivered
Thursday evening at the North Baptist
Church, BY Samuel G. Arnold, Esq, of
Pro- dence. The Church was well filed
by highly intelligent audience. We are
exceedingly glad that the Course has com
rnenccd under such favorable auspices
larner number of tickets have already been
disposed o! than al 8, early period of eth
tror the previous seasons this is highly
encouraging, and maniests an eppreclaling
spirit, by the puic of the efforts Of the
Society. From preseat appearances we
have every reason to believe that this large
Church will be filed during the Course.
The subject of Mr.. Arno'd's Lecture
was the Social condition Of American
Scamcn." lie apolossad for departing
from the usual general range Of thought
adopted in an introductory Lecture, and
said that on occasions like this he consid-
cred an abstract question, or tho treatment
ol any such, as less suited TO a popular au-
dicncc, ard particularly to Mechanics
Association, than one OF a more practical
nature.
He first considered the early Commercial
history Of Newport, showing that previous
10 the Revolution Boston was her only riv-
al, and that Newport was the most impor-
,ant Commercial emporium on the Amerl-
can coast. Ile then CONNIE ted on The
Ckara ter of Seamen, their vices and The
nnumcrablc temptations that ever surround
ihem,--ho also spoke warmly OF their
virtues as a class, showing what had been
done for them, and what had been neglect
cd To be done. lie then briefly sketched
the cary Nav;l history Of Newport, and
concluded by some strong and unanswer-
able arguments in favor of the establish
mcnt ufa Central Naval Depo, at this
port. lhi. is a subject OF great impor-
iauce, not only to our citizens, as com
nuni,y, bu TO The whole country in a Ma
,onal poiat o. view. 1t is matter Of such
lcep in,ercs, generally, and the arguments
IN It's favor, entirely unanswerab'c, which
MIR. Arnold presented, arc so clear, that
We give that portion of his lecture entire,
trusting that Congress will lay aside all
sectional feelings and political prejudlces,
and speedily do whn ought to have been
done years ago,-csAlbiish Naval Depot
at this port. Mr.. ArLold's Lecture gave
very general satisfaction.
The following is the concluding portion
Of the lecture, and as lis arguments are so
strong and conclusive, we trust that our
brethren Oft the press will give publicity TO
them, and thus aid the Naval Service of the
Country -
A NAVAL STATION AT NEWPORT, X, ].
Ccnciu9ng rcmarks IN hc opening Lecture ofhe
Cotuse Lcf,re the Mechanics ASaociaton Of New-
p,rt, II. l., d,irGod hy MANUEL Il. AK
MOLD, Esq, of Pyo,g8tnrC, Dee. &. lSi9
Had not Rhode Island possessed local
facilities eJ ond those of any other colony
we can scarcely suppose that, in her early
history, NTH 50 small a population, she
could have furnished SO great 4 relative pro-
portion Of laval maieriel, or beer 81 deep !
ly imhdcl with the spirit Of mara'ime enter
prise. The same natural ADVANTAGES which
led to these results exist at this day, and
point to Newport as the most fitting locaIi-
&. hnl
Atlantic seaboard there is not sin lie point
which combines so many ana 50 palpable
advantages for a great central narm station
as does Narraganseit bay.
The necessity of a centraI atom has
long been apparent to many oi our Naval
officers. Some p ace for exercise IN fleet
cvolu,lons, for discipline in gunneIy on n
more extensive scale than is now practiscd,
Tor the dri of seamen as well as mariners
in tactics, and where new vessels may be
tested with STANDARD ships as 10 their sail
ing qualities, as is done in the British SER
vice, is What seems to be required to bring
our naval force 10 degree of efficiency
commensurate with our power.
The advantage of such Il system in pro-
noting emulation among officers as well as
men, which under the present mode OF ro-
motion by seniority is mu;h neglected,
must be apparent. OF the seven naval sta
lions now held by the United States there !
is not one that is equal to Newport in the
facilities required for dock yard and depot,
and none tina, will compare with it for
Central station.
Let us consider some Of the most prom-
nent local advantages possessed by Nara
ganscii bay for this purpose.
/. This is the only harborou our whole |
coast which can be made in the face Of a .
Northwest gale, a fact Of it.ef sufficient, /
when we consider the prevalence and the .
severity of gales from that quarter during |
The win'cr ,o establish the superiority OF .
Newport as naval depot. The only .
wind that renders it inn o.siblc to make .
the barber is the Northeast ; and the thick .
- Gather which almost always prevails with
,Ilt N ind. bsinp nm ohst,cln IA, .h;ne nah