The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-09
THE NAVY AT PORT ROYAL.
SPAIN HOLDS CUBA BY AN UNCERTAIN TENURE
THE POLICY OF THE SECRETARY OF thu
NAVY DEFINED.

SPAIN HOLDS CUBA BY AN UNCERTAIN TENURE
THE POLICY OF THE SECRETARY OF TIN
NAVY DEFINED.
WASHINGTON Jan s. 1874
The concentration OF naval vessels at Port Royal 6
C.. Is pursuance OF general plan OF the Secretary
OF the Navy make place the headquarters OF the
North Atlantic station as IL presents many advaniaget
any other port the Atlantic coast In the FIRST
place. the climate is very healthfu and the harbol
offers every facility for the exercise Of
tsctics so that the service can be kept IN
thorough discipline on occasion only during
late war was the yellow fever there and then
only very brief PERIOD while at Key West tia
former headquarters Of the station 1t often opt
dcmic and caused the that place nearly every
summer TO be ordered to Portsmouth, N. H., soma
other Northern port where supplies repairs &C. could
be furnished without delay The geographical position
Of Port Royal makes IL the central point for
the North Atlantic station, and vessels rem
dezvoused there can reach Cuban waters and
the Gulf whore interests need
TO be looked after within forty-eght hours. IL is tho
policy OF the Secretary Of the Navy homo
squadron larger than any Of those abroad
believes in being prepared for any emergency which
may Of the present difficulties on the island or
Cuba While there is official announcement in re-
gard the condition Of affairs this country
and Spain it is believed in welnformed circles that
the uncertain tenure which Spain has upon that
island may cause that government to become in
volved in difficulty with the United States
when II sees 1t no longer hold the island and then
parts with it a matter Of necessity. Another
why vessels will be ordered to Port Royal from North
ern rivers and harbors where they have been
laid up Is to free them from the ice during
the approaching winter In case of any dim
Guilty arising It would not do to have these vessels
frozen up at Leaguo Island or some other North
port where they could be Of service; hence tho
Secretary deems II advisable to have them at Port
Royal, where there is no danger Of ice blockade,
and in of emergency they could be used with
effect
Commodore Howell chief of the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks. in his last annual report recommends APP
preparation to erect inexpensive wooden buildings at
Port Royal with necessary machinery and tools for
artifcers Of squadron work make necessary
repairs vessels needing them there generally
from four to 1--WE vessels at tina, place time
sufficient of blacksmihs carpenters, sainakors
repairs, and vessels would not have to be ordered
North receive them. At Key West the former head
quarters Of the station there small establishment
OF this kind but every Il had to DO
abandoned account of the yellow fever The Shaw
NUT, Dictator, Pawnee and Piuta Port
Royal the Congress and Juniata have ordered
there from the European station. Other vessels viii
be ordered there from our Northern ports we'll
as several now abroad. The Marion, at Ports-
mouth, n H.. and the vandaa, at Boston. will be
dcred to Port Royal preparatory their among
the West indies