The New York herald., 1870-03-30
THE NAVY YARD QUESTION.
The Proposition to Establish Great National
Dockyard at New London, Conn.-what
Steps Have Already Been Taken in
That Direction-Naval and Con-
gressional Views Of the Plan.

Er0SBlOual Views OF tno kLan.
In the year 1852 the Secretary or the Navy, under
the authority OF Congress, appointed Board OF
Onicers.n OF which Rear Admiral 8. H. Stringhsm
was chairman to examine and report as to the CON-
parative fitness OF ''the harbor OF New London ana
It's surroundings" "Narraganset Bay" and League
Island, in the Delaware river, for navy yard for
iron-cad vessels. The Board devoted much time In
making the required Investigations, and on the oath
oil October, 1862 they made their report in favor OF
New London.
The following resolution was passed by the
Board:--
Resolved That the harbor of New greater
location examined by this Board.
Some OF the advantages OF 'tne harbor of New Lon
don," enumeratedpy by the Board, are the loliowng:-
Ffrst-"Adequate depth OF water at and near the
site for vessels OF the largest class"
Second-"Facility OF ingress and egress. The har-
bor Of New London y said the Board, mas q Gne.
clear entrance FROM the ocean, accessible at all times
ana all seasons. From 1t vessels OF any class can
proceed to sea with almost any wind.n
Tnnd-"Security from an attack BY an enemy"
said the Board. "The present deences OF the har-
Dor OF New London are Forts Trumbuu and Gris-
void the first strong fortress built OF granite, in
the most substantial manner ana the second an ex-
tensve earthwOrk, on GrotOn Heights. opposite the
Sny Sity OF New New London; From the entrance o. the
most suitable Tor navy yard there are on either
side OF che river numerous points upon which iron
can be erected at moderate and so arranged as
TO render the entrance OF hostile vessels i'm
OF SUFFICIENT strength TO resist the attack OF snips OF
modern construction and armament. BrIgadier
General george w. Cullum, Of the United States En-
gineers states as his opinion that no harbor IN the
United States is more susceptible OF defence against
the entrance OF neet than New London Although
the city of New London does not contain a LARGE
population to resist invasion its railroad connections
are are sacn as 70 bring ne cities Of New York Brook
cester, Providence and many other populous cities
and towns within about four hours time. Its roads
connect with the whole network OF railroads trav-
ersing the New Englan States and New York, ana
by them and It's water connections probably large
military force could be concentrated at this point
IN given time as at any other point on the Atlantic
COAST
FOu,1h-Securty from violent winds and sea, and
from ice, whether fast or hoatlng The harbor OF
New London is well protected from violent winds
and sea- and IS not obstructed by lce Vessels OF any
times.
FUth-Ampe accommodations for safe anchorage,
with good holding ground in the adjacent waters.
Fisner's slang Soppd and Gardner's Bay. Spacious
EQadsIeads, having abundant depth Of water for the
largest vessels, with the best holding ground and
ample space to accommodate any number OF vessels
tnat the government may desire to concentrate there
Sirth-The site on the Thames river, said the
Board, has abundant space for the erection OF all
buildings, docks and basins that may be required
for tirst class establishment, Win extensive water
front for the accommodation OF large number OF
vessels.
Ssuent--It is believed that some foundations
expensive process OF piling.
Efghth-ine range OF TIDE at New London Is 2.5
feet two and a half leet)
Ninth-Ihe currents at New London are not rapid
the water is clear and there Is nothing to be appre
hended from deposits at tpis place.
Tellth-Facilitles for procuring supplies &c. The
report said this point:-In addition to the
OF transportation by water to harbor always
with the great lines which traverse the Eastern
Northern ana Western States, and render the pro-
ductions Of those States available with ease and
nnlf n Eagfp Gfni snr,s
the points where the largest portion or our merchant
marine Is constructed.
classes. No reasonable doubt can exist as to the
practcabity OF procuring at New London all the
may be necessary to execute the work in navy
yard; for although the city OF New London does not
at this time contain large population Of this kind
the numerous cities, towns and villages OF New Eng
land and New York abound In artisans OF all de-
scriptlons, who are ever ready to respond to de-
nands for their services. These people always con-
centrate where employment is to be obtained, and
there would be great inducements for them
to New London, where house rents are remarkably
low. Tenements can be had in the Immediate
vicinity, and the cost OF living is moderate.
Trelttn-Health Of the vicinity. mo question
health enjoyed by the residents OF New London"
The above are some OF the advantages named by
the Board as pertaining to the site on the Thames
river The House Committee on Naval Affairs were
subsequently charged by resolution, January 7, 1884,
Ito inquire into and report upon the expedency OF
the establishment Of new navy yard, for the con-
structiOn docking and repair OF iron, iron clad and
other vessels and the proper site for Its location"
This committee after as they say in their report
"a very careful and thorough consideration or the
whole subject" came to the same conclusion, viz,
that the site upon the Thames, near New London,
Conn, combines in greater degree than any other
the essential advantages and conditions for such
establishment and Is free from the objections OBJ
tanning at other places.
New London this committee said:-"fhis report,
proceeding from officers OF such unuoubted
character and eminence in their respective pro-
LESSONS, seemed TO YOUR committee to be
entitled TO very great " ght and consideration.
nevertneess, @ the co,tlse t ie tney woa,a noI
adopting the conclusions OF any commission, how
ever competent without careful investigation and
examination for themselves both OF the evidence and
arguments applicable to the subject. The result OF
ths examination has led the committee to the same
conclusion reached by the board Of officers appOnte
by the Secretary OF the Navy"
The following extracts from the report OF the COM
mttee not only show the entire deensbiiity oftne
site on the Thames river, near New London, but the
Importance of navy yard and arsenal al that point,
aording the surest protection to the city OF New
York the east and to the coasts and commerce OF
Long Island Sound:-
The on at the mouth of the habor
batteries some the mouth islands
eoS be er s
would be destructive to any neet And the commit
Brigadier General Culurn, dngpished engineer, who
% the hsTe also Of
Gates each Of whom the locality with partcu-
ing of Generals Totem Barnard and McComb confirming the
Of N the he Of se. before TO-
than that of New London The relation of navy yard
New London the defence Of the city and
York the Committee on Naval Affairs justly regarded
az one OF very great Importance aud . this part
fact that il is proposed to widen and deepen the
channel He'll Gate that vessels of large draught
may reach and New York BY that route al Of which
The committee said their report, 1854 The
Long Island Sound from the through the
four miles in width divided midway BY rock Or ledge
the Sound Ia consequently but two miles in width
on each side the "vaiant Rock" Through or the
the open oceans through these, these passed the Great
sian feet It's late visit to shores. New London lying
within half hours seamng is the natural Key ana
tesc protection to this gateway, and s the Judgment Of
the highest military and naval authorities that rendezvous
of roncads together with slight Notifications
"Race" ITSELF would be complete defence to the
approach of New York and the whole coast line Of Connec
cut. An enemy's feet within this gateway and
safe in Long Island sounda great msnof-wars harbor
tsewould not only have the best natural roadstead on
this Continent from which TO sally forth to cut