National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-27
THE BROOKLYN NAvY-YARp,
What is Said OF Its RemovaI-The New
London site.

To the Editor OF THE REPUBLICAN,:
Mr.. Bliss has introduced bill into the House for
the sale of the Brooklyn navy yard About ten
years ago this question was strongly brought to
the attention of Congress, and AFTER much dis
cussion and deliberation the Committee on Naval
Affairs recommended the sale of this yard and the
transfer Its movable material to some yard or
yards now in possession of the government" Tho
site on the Thames River, near New London
Conn., was the chief point to which attention was
directed as being situated ut convenient distance
from New York near the eastern entrance of Long
Island Sound, to the waters, commerce, and coasts
ofwhich, as well MS to New York ITSELF It was en-
inenlly well calculated to afford protection.
THE STRONGEST TESTIMONY
In favor of the object was laid before the com.
mittee by Admiral S, w. Godon, then commaudant
ut the Brooklyn yard; ]. w. King, Chief of tho
Bureau Of Steam Engineering Commodore j. p
McKinstry, Naval Constructor HANSON and others
pointing TO New London as Offering greater al,
y9nlages and more Judgements than any other
place" On the report Of The committee no action
was had The rapid growth Of the city of Brook
Ign, the increasing demands of commerce, as well
as the good of the naval service, all suggest the
ing of another in the best calty, Commensurate
with the wants of the country Rear-Admiral T.
7, Nichols Chief lthe Bureau of Yards and Docks,
in his report to the Secretary of the Navy 1881,
calls attention to the subject thus:
"NAvAL STATION, NEW LONDON, CONN.
"on recent visit TO this station was strongly
impressed with It's advantages us q site for an inn
pnrtant naval station. Situated ON the left bank
OF the Thames River, five or six miles from lis
mouth, with deep water along It's entire 'front.' the
ground sloping back from the rivers edge dry
grayey soil, int rspersed with the best of granite
for building purposes, II seems to possess all the
advantages for the making of first class yard
Whatever use is TO be made of this prop
erty, 1t Is manifest that its entire length should 90
faced with quay wall in eighteen to twenty feet
of water, and this should be the first work under.
TAKEN not only for the protect On of the Shore but
for the formation of n space In which to deposit
the material which must be removed from the
surface in establishing building sites. / have
asked for an appropriation for the commence
ment of this work, and think II would be wise
measure to appropriate 100000 annually TO carry
II TO completion.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS STATION
II will be well to look to the possibilities of the
future. The properly comprised in the two navy
yards ut New York and Boston is year by year be-
coming more and more valuable for commercial
purposes Pressure has been brought to bear upon
the government to force arelinquishment Of these
properties. II is not unreasonable to suppose that
under the fostering care of Congress, our shipping
aud commercial interests will be greatly enlarged,
and the demand for wharf and warehouse room
at these two important cities will be so great that
the pressure upon the government may not be re-
sisted. Situated non rly midway between these
two sea- ports, aud with every advantage for Gre.
wisdom TO recognize the possibilities and com
mence the work that will eventually make Of
New London the leading maynard Of the coun-
try2'
Il Is worthy Of remark that mono Of the navy
yards OF Great Britain are In the neighborhood OF
large cities that Of Depiord, near London, having
been Abandoned several years ago. ]. X. d.