National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-10
PORT ROYAL HARBoR.
An UnapprcoIated American seaport
what should be Done.

spcciai Correspondence OF THE RErUBMcAS.
BEAUFORT PORT ROYAL HARBoR, s. c., June s.
Looking over the river aud harbor appropriation
bill It will be noticed that large sums Of money arc
10 be devoted to the improvement Of Norfolk, Va,
Charleston s. c. and Savannah, Ga. II Is truy0 as
tonishing that so little should be generally known
and appreciated by the public and particularly by
those most deeply interested ! refer the Navy
Department to that magnificent deep water road.
stead md harbor, Port Royal, S. c. The COM
mcrcc the country is rapidly learning Its great
advantages for shipping, the entrance being easy,
with two distinct channels so situated that sailing
vessels can come in with the wind from any di.
rcctlon, and the depth OF water on the lar pelng
exceptionally great, Mt
MEAN TIDE TwESrY.siN FEET,
and twenty two at dead low water. This depth Of
channel can no where be found south Of Hampton
Roads or on our eastern coast coast line OF 1000
miles. With light.shlp OF the bar, range lights
on Hilton Head and Paris Island, steamers and
sailing vessels can aud do come and go during the
night. Nothing but railway combinations,
made with the view OF throwing the
savannah TT has has prevented this place from be.
coming one Of the largest shipping ports ~ the
sountty. Any deep water h0rbor Will, In time,
direction, and II Is now believed That one Of the
Largest railway corporations In the West VIII soon
make Port Royal It's eastern terminus Az tnls VIII
be brought about by the magnificent channel
known TO be here, aud immense Accommodations
for the deepest draft steamers.
OCEAN STEAMERS or THE LARGEST SIZE
can 60 into Port Royal roads at any time, and,
before long, large fleets of foreign and AMERICAN
steamers will be found at the Port Royal docks Bn
to the intelligent observer at all acquainted with
maraiime Affairs the curious part Is lI,e
in overlooking this fine harbor not only FOR iuture
possible IN time OF war, but Tor the present.
Its proximity To- the West Indies Its deep channel
capnciuus hnrbOr, magnificent climate, and, ~
ease Of necessity, the enlrance could be quickly
fortified with the most durable earthwofks oil sanu
the most casual observer could see its Importance
MS n naval station with everything TO warrant
the government III securing available land ior
naval purposes. Il is matter Of general surprise
10 many People coming here that the Navy De
pRrtmCnt has not already purchased lana WIN
the object Of permanently locating a coallng
dock and store house for the supply ofthe Allan.
tic squadron. Since the close OF the wat-lSGl- 60
The aulhonti,s seem almost to have forgotten
the fine harbor at this pace. FOR two or hr re-,
years there were several ships montors) here, bu'
they too, were sent North aud the place prncu'
cally abandoned. No better place exists on our
coasts than the waters around
PORT ROYAL FOR A NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT,
and II IS to be hoped the government will at once
proceed to get possession of enough land for the
purpose. There is another great advantage lhut
This place offers for all kinds Of shipping, and thai
is the splendid climate. The waters ms well a.
towns around are f &C from nll epidemic disease
Ships Gun come and so without fear OF quarantine
The statistics furnished by the medical record
during the war, when the government had i'm
mcnse hospitals here, show That the percentage o
recoveries from wounds was very high
whereas the number OF sick from climata
influence was unusually small. In fact II Is as Tin
n climate as can be found anywhere, being in trut
perfect sanitaran itself. Later statistics aboar'
the men. of-wnr that have been stationed hercgiV
As a railroad terminus ut the seaboard as sit
for government naval station, as health resOr
ut all times of the year. and MS future great com
mcrcial mart Port Royal is indeed one Of the leas
known and appreciated by all that should be mos
interested in availing themselves OF us rare auyah
lagcs in all respects. SPAk DECh'