New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-21
THE BROOKLYN NAVY-lARD.

WHY IT SHOULD BE REMoyED-A LITTER From
CHIEF OF BUREAU OF STEAM ENGINEERING
KING.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 19.-Mr Stark
weather of the House Naval Committee has received
letter from Chief Engineer King in reply TO some ques
lions on the removal OF the Brooklyn Navy-Nard' Ihe
following are extracts covering the most important
points Of the letter:
Twas Chief Engineer Of that Yard from April 1853 to
April 1861 and again from June l. 1865. to June l. 1861
this latter term commenced just after the close OF the
war when improvements to a considerable extent
being made In the yard, and at time when large
number Of ships returning home had 10 be laid up ana
Others repaired land retted service foreign squad
rOns had ample opportunity to witness it's many de-
fects and to form toeraby correct conclusions as to
what the Navy really needs in the way of dockyard
facilities In addition to my experience at this yard
have times visited and examined all the Navy
Yards Of our country the principal engine factories
and ironmills, and have examined and reported
the dockyards and iron works OF Great Britain and
France
site of the Brooklyn NavyYariis in my Judgment,
the most unfavOrabe possible for such naval establish
ment present necessities of the Navy require and
its facilities wholly inadequate for the demands made
upon them. When located the Navy very small and
prior to the of steam served the purposes OF It's
projectors shipyard to build, repair and equip a
few wooden sailing vessels but as the Navy Increased
necessary to erect buildings and these for
convenience the time located without regard TO
requirements and upon the introduction OF steam
machine-shops fOunderies. boler-shops and various
other buildings erected not in desirable localities
but in such positions did not interfere with those al
ready IN use and the introduction OF amored vessels
rendered necessary to still further add to the num-
Der of workshops; As consequence of the want OF
system with which the various workshops have from
time time been erected not of the 46 buildings
Is properly located IN the yard nor in convenient POSI-
ton with regard to others Beside this irremediaDIe
defect in locating the various buildings nearly all are
entirely uDsuited for economically constructing re-
pairing the heavy work required at the present day ior
purposes, Is the yard supplied with suitable
facilities for the transportation Of heavy material and
stores the shops the vessels rice from
shop TO another indeed deficient it IN improved
mechanical appliances fer transportation, that this
item alone, during the year 1861 cost no less than
s,o ottoo,ior in,itod
As consequence of this, many vessels ARE crowded
together different localities. far removed from the
mechanical works. and difficult OF access frequently
rendering the employment OF boats necessary to transport
,he workmen to and from their labor thus mourning T
beside the danger OF ire to vessels crowded III sinai
The third objection is the filing mp OF the stream yearly
and more. from the accumulation OF deposits from
large part OF Brooklyn and Wamsburgh sujecting the
Government TO yearly heavy expense for dredglngi
beside the expense and Inconvenience OF this the stag
mating fecuence from the city has destructive
the copper of vessels, and renders the atmoS
The fourth objection is there is but drydock
other needed and there is no proper place TO locale IT.
where vessels can anchor while IN commission.
Sixth, it is surrounded by large city; bad men ma
to the payrolls of the yard heying is common
and the expense OF police thereby largely increased
The only remedy for the defects enumerated VIII be
be laid ont and constructed on clear ground. common
surate with the future wants of navy The area OF
grounds is lg2 acres it would be very valuable for
manufacturing commercial and other purposes and the
removal Of the yard would be mutual benefit to the
Government and the people of Brooklyn In addition to
land the dock and buildings could be disposed OF Tor
very large In the event Of decision for removal,
all the eastern portion Of the ground now qnocGuped
could be sold. and the funds made available, without
| interfering with work in the yard.
The British Government has found IT more economical
to dOCkyards than to reconstruct old ones
After the introduction OF steam into the navy,sthat
Government built separate yard adjoining the Devon
port yard, for the especial purpose OF constructing
repairing, and fitting steam machinery. This yard has
| two large basins and three stone dry-docks also all
needed works facilities. and appliances for rapid execu
ton Of construction and repair. Since the Introduction
vessels and armOrcd ships il has prepared the
Chatham dock yard the river Midway for that pur
pose gradual process OF accretOn, partly OF
manent and partly OF make-st additions but by adding
island Of 800 TO the old yard and there erecting
the necessary works.