Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-02-04

II win connect directly with the an
thraeite coal regions of Pennsylyania
via the Southern Maryland Railroad,
the Baltimore and Potomac and North
ern Central Railroads. II win he con-
nected with the seat Of government by
railroad, which will render 1T accessible
in two hours and a-half from the capt.
tai Of the nation.
VIEWS OF CAPTAIN PORTER.
The late Captain Dayid Pcrtcr, when
Commissioners the Navy, In . COM
munication to the Secretary Of the Navy,
December 81, 1916, in relation to q site
for naval depot and the best means
to be adopted for the defence of the
Chesapeake Bay. states in reference to
the st. Marv's river:
Commodore Rodgers and myself, in
our passage down the Potomac, in con-
formity with your instructions, touched
in at st. Mary's, which is situated near
its mouth.
In point of healthiness of situation.
security from maritime attack, and Il
am iaformedl from Ice, excellence of
of harbor, and the easy ingress and
egress to an inner harbor, at all times,
to ships not drawing more than twen-
ty-four and half feet of water; the ad-
vantages it offers by means Of streams
of water to labor-saving purposes, and
its convenience to forests Of fine timber.
st. Mary's is, in my opinion, superior
to any other place of which / have a
knowledge on the Chesapeake for na-
val depot.
COMMODORE JOHN RODGERS.
Commissioner John Rodgers, United
States Navy, also a member of the
Board of Navy Commissioners, in u
communication to the Hon. BENZ. ".
Crowningshield, the Secretary of the
Navy, under date of December 90, 1916,
upon this subject, writes:
/ proceed now to examine st. Mary's
river. This river is situated on the
north side Of the Potomac, about seven
miles above Point Lookout; the next
above Smiths Point, with which it
forms the entrance into the Potomac.
BY some it is urged that this place as
respects salubIity OF climate, is prefer
able to Norfolk or New York. As a
safe and commodious harbor it is per-
haps not excelled by any in the United
States. At its entrance it il about 3
miles wide, and the water is 81 to 33
feet deep for g. to 4 miles IN, its width
gradually decreases until you pass two
projecting points atopposite sides, with
in which at low water, the depth sabou;
~ feet, and the river FROM point to point
about one half mile wide, from Ills TO
a place about = miles further up. the
river is hy two ether projecting points
diminished to about five hundred yards
in width, presenting above these points
beautiful basin in which there is near
the entrance, inside, 30 or 81 feet at
low water This river above, where it
is perfectly susceptible of defense gainst
naval force. presents III severalresnects
the mos. seducing reasons for its sciec-
lion as q naval depot and rendezvous
WHAT COMMODORE PARKER SAYS.
Commodore Foxhall 4. Parker, Uni
ted States Navy, who commanded the
the naval gunboat fotillo on the Poto-
mae in lS64-65, in note to the Presi-
dent OF the Board remarks:
There could be no better place for
coal de;ot than the St. Mary's river,
and exactly where l had mine during
the civil war; easy Of access, day and
night, plenty of water, and always as
smooth as millpond.
ACCESSIBLE ALL SEASONS OF THE YEAR.
The Board cannot express an opinion
as to the defensibility OF such points
upon the ST. Mary's river as upon furth-
er examination might prove 10 be the
most desirable for naval coahng de-
pot; while it unquaiifedly recognizes
the Importance of such depot. access
sible at all seasons of the year to yes
sells of the greatest drauykt of water
and of easy defense, in communication
by shorter routes of transportation with
the great bituminous and anthracite
coal fields of Maryland, Virginia and
PENNSYLVANIA, as from such depot of
supply the necessary prerequisites TO
the maintenance of our steam vessels
of war and transports in all contingen-
cies and emergencies would he sacnrad,
ard from which coal can be shipped TO
points within the United States and
elsewhere, throughout the world, when
desired.
In conclusion we are of the opinion
that at some point upon the St. Mary's
river will be found an eligible position
at which it is (for the reasons above
stateD expedient to locate naval coal
ing station.
We have the honor to be very re.
specify, your obedient servants,
r. A. WYMAS,
Commodore United States Navy,
President of Board.
]. VI. B. CLITz,
Commodore United States Navy.