The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-04

q l27 tona At the Phadsiphia yard the iron-clsd
which NO work Is bang done. there al the New York
and q the Chsrlsssown yard the Kswaydin, each q
400 tonA which arc nos under permanent cover, ana
upon which small amount OF work 10 being done 70
put them in condition TO be s least partially protected
years before they will be launched. The Ncshaminy
and Ammonoosuc, OF 2,0l9 tons, receiving their
machinery - the wharves Of the contractors IN New
The appropriation for all OF these vessels made
but tine four small vessels whose kees have re-
Gently been laid was commenced months before hostl-
ties terminated.
YARD vAcurnES
The experience Of the last seven years has demon.
stratsd the importance Of more exclusive aud
greater facilities a. the navy yards for the construction
and repair OF naval vessels ana their machinery Our
navy yards too circumscribed In their limits well
~ too deficient in their means to build and sustain
and character among nations More enlarged accommo-
datons. where the work required be berter more
micsly executed, should DO provided.
Notwithstanding present deficiencies. and the un.
buildings Congress omitted 70 max. ' appropr. a
lions for improvements In any OF tho navy yards
s h.rs~S % uuds
that head for tho ensuing nsca year. which will
Close the sosh Of Juns 1862 necessarily Increased
valuable addition to that important station. and when
Congress shall have made appropriation for It's improve
shat point may be expected 70 BE- made No funds have
supplied by Congress for establishing any addi-
that direction. consequently nothing has been done
yond tho repairs and occupancy OF tho dwellings
QUESTION may be easily ads available for useful pur-
poses though the improvements must necessarily b
The stated in my last annual report for essen
tai improvements II the Norfolk and Pensacola navy
yards are referred TO- without repeating them IN DETAIL
duty calls for tho cssary appropriations TO place
establishments condition Of usefulness the
vantages superior to any other station. Accessible
she habor - At all seasons Of the year. and having
no reason Why the facilities Afforded should not BE-
made available 70 the country.
81 ~ maze on
and the buildings which were spared remain in a d.
lApidated and scarcely habitabls condition Kitchens
and stabss which escaped destruction occupied
residences BY the officers attached the yard with few
OF the ccnvsnisnces and none Of the comforts OF home
In peaccabe times the work At this yard will not be OK.
teusve but being tho only naval station the Gulf Of
Mexico and there beng no large ports in that section
whore naval vessels can be repaired II Is important in
An economical point Of view, well Is advantageous
10 many respects that this yard should be placed In
proper condition.
The act OF Congress approved February IS, 1857 au
thorzed the acceptance Of the title TO League Island
creek known the back channe from the Schuylkill
to the Delaware river, and all the riparian rights and
sa v no o ba sus
shore OF the back channel from the League island shore
q shall IN the opinion Of the Secretary Of the Navy be
exclusive use Of said back channel and both shores
thereof provided 'he acceptance thereof shall be
compounded BY board Of officers to be appointed BY
You were pleased to designate a. mombcrs OF the
board Rear. Admirai Charles H Davis, United States
navy PRESIDENT Major General A. A. Humphreys chief
OF engineer corps United States army; Commodore
Kns and %
OF the Coast Survey On the 18th OF April the board
ported that IL had read with scrupuous attention tho
u "a ~ Iaa1 ma
island and its sutablcness for naval purposes proceed
ing from commissions OF inquiry or from other Official
authorities IL has given respectful and careful dslib
Grafton to the most prominent Of the controversial
pamphlets written on this subject; Il has made COM
pete study OF the original maps and plans OF League
island and the adjacent property, among which in
cluded the carly original manuscript Typographical
sheets OF tho United Staes Coast Survey; II has invests
gated the hydrocrapcal features of the surrounding
channels and basins; has entered into thorough per-
sona examination OF League island a the opposite shore
Of the back channel and Of the channels themselves at
different periods OF the tides IL has bss careful
consideration upon the relation OF all the various points
purposes Of the OF the United States and especially
their relation TO the supplies OF material labor and the
sources Of manufacturing power; and feeling assured
that these deliberations examinations and studies
added TO the knowledge and experience already pos
sessed by Its members qualify to form opinion
the subject OF League Iaad in respect It's geological
typographical and photographed conditions, in respect
to deence in respect TO tho practical business and
OF yards docks and dock yards for vessels OF wood
and ron and In respect to its adaptation for all naval
purposes whatever this Board does not hesitate TO
recommend with entire unannity, that League island
the adjacent marshes and back channel together with
50 much OF the opposite shore Of the back channc from
the League island shore Is hereinafter described be
accepted from the city OF Phade phia aud DO held for
States s'' = 'A' oA''0u
The board also designated the quantity OF land on the
opposite shore from League Island which, In its opinion
necessary to enable the government TO have the
exclusive use OF the back channel and both shores
the Mayor Of P6iIadspbsa ana be Was notified that the
department was ready TO accept the title 10 the property
whenever il was perfected and offered for purpose
or oufh rra aafp salph A.
cided TO ask modification Of tho line recommended on
the shore opposite to League island their in.
feet wide running the entire ongth or the island Chief
Engineer King directed cooperate With the city
selves WAS agreed upon This was subnitted TO the
board Of which Rear Admiral Davis was chairman, who
posed The board say report that had they been
acquainted with the plan Of the city improvements
Ss or psnwsp lines and
hundred and twenty feet broad between the north
ern wall bounding the property Of the United States and
the buildings OF tho city furnishes that security against
FIRST object OF tho board to provide"
II provided BY the act OF February last that League
Island shall not be accepted until tho title to the whole
Of the land necessary 10 enable the government 70
control both shores tho back channel complete and
ndcfeasibe Az the iand on the shore opposte League
Island belongs 70 vRvious parties some OF whom are
minors, and some OF Il s held in trust il became
necessary 10 ordor to mako perfect iii under ,be Jaws
OF the State Of Pcnnsylv ania, well Is to Ak price,
for the city Of Philadelphia to call FOR the Incarceration
OF jury. This jury has not vet reported, but Is
shortly expected TO do So and l am informed by the
Mayor OF Philadelphia that he has believe that
about the commencement OF the ensuing year every
thing will be in readiness complete the transfer from
the city TO Tho national government The city Pha-
depha has been ready to transfer Leatuo Island proper
the terms originally proposed, without any delay
aud since the designation Of the adjoining property ii
has not boon negligent In It's efforts acquire legal
e in order 70 comply with the requirements Of Con.
gross.
srrE oy THE THAMES RIVER NAVAL ruarosrs
clause In the act MAKING appropriations for tho
naval service approved March 1857, authorizes and
directs the Secretary OF the Navy TO receive aud accept
deed OF gift. when offered, by the State Of Connects
cut Of tract Of land situated the Thames river
New London Connecticut, with water iron. OF not less
IN ono mile 70 be held by the United States for naval
poses. On tho 25th OF September, his Exceilcncy,
tie Governor Of Connecticut, transmitted the Depart
men copy OF an act passed BY the General Assembly
OF that STATE appropriaDg SIS 900 10 aid tho city OF
New London Ia the purchase OF tho requisite property
and making other nccossay provisions for carving the