The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-03-13

lgt. For the Immaculate pfOtecIlOn OF the large
cities and towns, mainly built on that shore; and
ofthe vast commercial interests interviewer with
and dependant upon their existence.
End The superior advantages Of site, as com
pared with the eastern shore--not being a success
sion Of immense sand hills, but having fne open
and sufficiently elevated surrounding country of
abundant agricultural resources, penetrated by
rivers and inlets, forming natural harbors unsur-
passed for convenience and utility.
3rd From the fact, that for the greater part of
the year, the eastern coast Of Lake Michigan is
emphaticaIly a lee shore; the constant prevalence
of westerly winds making harbors ON that side diff
fcult Of access, and their approaches dangerous.
4th Because of the comparative safety of
south western locality, in immediate juxtapostion
with loyal population, almost unlimited in NUM-
bers and resources, and the easy connection which
may be maintained by land with the Western Ma
tional Armory, which, whether finally established
at Chicago or Rock island, would be equally well
secured by making Naval Depot the west
side of Lake Michigan, and which would be i'm
possible in the other case supposed, without ma
king circuit of the end oftho Lake.
Additional considerations might be urged, why
the establishment Of Naval Depot if resolved
upon, would unquestionably be located the
western shore of Lake Michigan, south of sheboy.
gan; but enough has been said tc make the con-
clusion, we think. inevitable.
Asto the particular place to be selected: As cit
izensof Keuosha it is natural that we should pre-
fer our own town city; and if that be SO, it may
not be improper to set forth some of the reasons
for our decided conviction, that the harbor and
roadstead of KenOsha, of all other places on the
west shore Of the Lake, is adapted to secure the
objects Of the establishment of the proposed Naval
Depot better, and in larger measure, than any
other.
Chicago, the largest city on the western shore,
having dominant interests, and men of ability,
jealous to foster and protect them has already put
in her claim for the naval depot in addition to her
demand that the National Almory shall be built
there She undoubtedly acts in these matters, up
on the principle, that ''what is not worth asking
for, is not worth havinc;" and her example in per
sstently and continuously urging her claims,
might be initiated to some extent, by US, to our
profit, But what advantage, save one degree of
latitude does she possess over her competitors up
on the western shore? Absolutely, none! Her
harbor always has been and is always likely to be.
afflicted by an incorrgbo sand bar, having but Il
feet water outside. The narrow channel of Chioa-
90 river is blocked up, at all times with the yes
sells belonging to the Lake mercantile marine and
the numerous bridges necessary for the accommo-
dation of large population-the immense cost Of
the necessary land tor river front and the extern
siys space and urea indispensable for the required
grounds would make the opening of new and
artificial channel necessary, at some point north or
south of the present inlet to accomplish the object
should government adopt that city as the Site
and to ourmind, these disabilities renderit exceed
ingly improbable that such site would be selected
by Board having the interests Of the whole coun-
try in view.
milwaukee, the next city in size, although hay
ing better depth of water outside, and more room
within her limits for such establishment is new
ertheless open to many of the objections which
have been urged against a location at Chicago,
with the additional objection that it is the extreme
northern point at which it would be at all proba
bic that selection might be made; and we take
it. if security from an enemy is any object, the far
Their south the dock yards, &c, can be consistent
~ placed the less danger of molestaton and inju
ry there would be to them, in case hostilities.
! Racine, as port adapted for the purpose, is Ii
able to limited extent to the objection last stated
She could furnish all necessary room, at small cost
and if there was no other harbor except those al
/ ready named within the limits assumed for the
purposes Of this comparison, she would undou0t
edly stand fair in natural advantages for the posi-
! ton
Leaving out of view Waukegan, which, tho 6
place Of some commercial value yet possesses Nc
natural harbor, we come to the consideration o
the erninert merits Of KENosHA, as place for th'
site of the great Naval Backyard and Station fo
the Northwest.
Kenosha ia situated in latitude ~ . 80 min, OF
the western shore of Lake Michigan, SIS mile
north of Chicago, and 30 miles south of Milwaukee
lying about as it were, upon the State line which
divides the great and powerful States of Wiscon
sin and Illinois, it is at once so situated, geograph
icaly, as to combine the interest OF these tw
rreat States in the proposed works 1t is surround
ed by country Of unrivallea fertility and produc
tiveness, capable of sustaining dense population
and peoplad by q race endowed with energy Q
character and full of enterprise. 1t has also drec
communication by Railroad southerly to Chicago
and southwesterly to Rock Island (prominen
places named in connection with the proposes
Western Armory, and with the command OF tn
Lake commerce, equally with its competito RS,
equally able TO furnish all necessary materials 70
the use of such an establishment.
But lie Chief merit of Keaosha for the site,
the peculiar topography, and shape Of the Ian
which embosoms the water within her limits. a
estuary or arm Of Lake Michigan, not liable to /
r filed up by auuviaI deposits brought down b
rivers falling into it large enough for all the pu
, poses contemplated in the recommendation OF til
. Secretary of the Navy, and yet with ample spac
left ter all the commerce which can flow into it
= expanding in its course into three or four capt
: c.ous basins seooped out by the hand Of nature
roouy enough TO furnish secure places for the sto
h age of ship timbers and spars, or for vessel I
. turn without shortening sail Itwould be dificu
. to devise safer, or more convenient haven tina
Is thus presented, ready made, to the hand of tn
: Government a great natural breakwater, (Yasl
= in-ton Island, extends along and parallel to th
Lake shore, and the eastern shore of the easterl
y channel, distance of half mile and is from 70
re ty to fifty rods in width and from II to feet hig
u making complete protection from the northea
4 storms which suddenly occur on our coast AZ
% which prove so destruc i've: thus completely Ian
locking the harbor, 1t is entirely practicable,
opening a channel by the construction of piers,
was done with what is called the 'ssouth mouth
. 10 have two entrances to the harbor-one at t
north. the other at south end of the island a
IN thus 10 enter and leave the harbor without furi
" sail. The depth OF water inside, in the cham
ed averages eight feet according to themnp publish
in by Lieut.. Col GRAHAM, of the Typographical E
siuoers-marised &C, % 40 Sand embraced