Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-31
SOUTHERN NAVY YARDS.
NORFOLK'S ADVANTAGES AND DIS
ADVANTAGES SET FORTH.

NoRFOLK's ADVANTAGES AND DIS
ADVANTAGES SET FORTH.
Its Retention Advocated by the Com
missiOn-Similar Action Recommend
ed in the Cases of Pensacola and Key
West-EternaI Peace improbable and
Preparation for War Advised.
WAsHINTON, Dec. 30.-The report of
the Commission on the navy yards, which
was given to the public to-day, contains
the following reports and recommends
tions with regard to the yards in the
Southern States:
NORFOLK NAVY YARD.
Advantages we consider the ad-
vantages presented by the anchorage at
Lynn Haven Bay and its accessibility
from the sea, the anchorage at Hampton
Roads, the fine expanse of water which
opens into the mouth of the James on the
north and Elizabeth river ON the south,
affording safe navigation and a secure an
chOrage for the largest fleets, and
add t. this an outer line of fOrmi-
dable defense which may be con-
.structed at Old Point, the inner of
which is represented by SeweIl's Point,
and Craney Island, we may we'll believe
that the site of the navy yard at Norfolk
south of New YORK.. The improvements
now going on contemplate making chan
mel for Hampton Roads to the inner har-
Dor and the navy yard, twenty-five feet
deep at mean low water and 500 feet wide.
Only occasional dredging in front
of the Wharves is necessary. 1t is
easy of access. Its soil and
characteristics are such that ample
docking facilities may be constructed
there at reasonable cost, as well as fresh
water basins, or other conyeniences for
the laying up of iron ships. Its water
and railroad connections with iron and
coal regions guarantee practically I'M
limited supplies OF those materials. 1t
has ineXhaustible supplies of good fresh
water. The harbor and channel are never
obstructed by ice. Its geographical posi-
tion and mild climate render it one Of the
most accessible and desirable rendezvous
for our vessels of war of any on the entire
Atlantic coast. There is no pressing de-
mand for this yard for mercantile pur-
poses. 1t could not be sold for a price at
all commensurate with its value to the
government.
DiSddrdntd0es-It is easily blockaded.
In times past it has been visited by yellow
fever and may be so visited again. Skilled
labor in iron ship building is wanting,
and there would be difficulty in procuring
such labor to meet any sudden demand
for extra work.
In view of these facts the Commission
ers submit the following recommendation:
'Your Commissioners do not recon-
mend the sale of this yard, though it is de-
ficient in MANY important particulars.
The advantages it unquestiOnably pos
sesses far outweigh its deficiencies, and
its proximity to Hampton Roads makes it
practically Indispensable"
PENSACOLA NAVY YARD.
AdUdntdgeS-The magnificent sheet of
water forming Pensacola Bay, its fine and
secure roadstead, and the water COM
munication furnished by the Escambia
and Blackwater, Yellow river and Santa
Rosa sound, with the possibilities of
future railroad and canal connections
uniting it with Pedido and Mobile Bay,
the Alabama river and the rich coal and
iron districts of the neighboring States,
all combine to render this site more ad-
vantageOus in many respects than that
of any other yard. The climate is de-
lightfully mild and generally heal
thy. The character of the soil
is such that slips for building,
launching and repairing ships, which
ing, are to be found in the surrounding
country in abundance and of excellent
quality, and unlimited supplies of iron
and coal, indispensable to modern navies,
are already within easy reach. There is
an ample supply of good, fresh water, and
it has Ine fresh water ponds for the pre-
servation of ship timber. Pensacola Bay,
at the entrance of which the yard is situ-
ated, is perfectly defensible. 1t is easy of
access to vessels of moderate drought,
and ships drawing "a feet and
over may ind good anchorage
off the yard, and those
drawing % feet may approach the princi-
pal wharf. The government improve
ments now in progress contemplate the
removal by the dredger of what is known
as the sinner barr to depth of "a feet at
mean low water. During the Mexican
war and the late war the military impor-
tance of the yard was fully demonstrated.
Pensacola Bay is almost the only suitable
place for a naval station on the Gulf, and
should ship canal be cut across the
Florida peninsula, its military and COM
mercial value would be greatly enhanced.
1t is so far removed from the mer-
camille community as to place it beyond
the risk of encroachment.
Disadvantages objections are
fatal to it. The establishment of
a yard at this point was recon-
mended when piracy prevailed in the
West Indies, and when vessels of
war were propelled by the winds and car
ried small guns OF short range. The COM
Quoting naval warfare has rendered this
yard of little account. 1t is but 213 miles
from the deep water of the Gulf, and con-
sequently within range of modern ord
nance from ships lying outside. 1t would,
therefore, be untenabie, lying, as it
does, in range of the enemy's
fire directed at Fort Pickens.
1t is easily blockaded and entrance to the
harbor is Obstructed by a shifting bar,
which is more or less affected by every
southerly or southeasterly gale. AT pres
ent the bar has on it nineteen feet seven
inches at mean low water and twenty-one
feet two inches at mean high water. The
success of the present efforts to effect a
permanent increase in the depth of the
channel is doubtful. In view of these
facts the commission submit the following
recommendations: 'sYour Commissioners
do not recommend the sale of this yard, as
it is the only one on the Gulf for though
it would be from its nearness to the
sea, wholly untenable against
naval attack, there may yet arise
circumstances that would give it great
military value. Moreover, it could not be
sold for anything near its intrinsic worth,
while its cost of maintenance is small.
But recognizing the necessity for a navy
yard on the Gulf that is defensible against
naval attack, they recommend the ap-
pointment of a commission to select a site
WlLnln Jne lines Oh defense on HenSac0la
Bay, or in some other locality.
KEY WEST NAVAL STATION.
AdUdntdgeS.-It is the key to the COM
merce of the Gulf of Mexico and much of
the West India trade. 1t is on the high
way of the great streams of commerce
which pour through the Florida chanLel.
Its possession is, consequently, of ines
timable value during any maritime war
in which the United States should he en-
gagged. Key West and TOrtugas held by
our naval forces, we would insure the
safety of that trade. In the possession of
an enemy its destruction would be as GER
tam. The holding of Key West as a naval
station is military necessity, not ques-
tiOn for discussion. The harbor is excel
lent and reached by main ship channel
having depth at mean low water of $50
feet. BY the southwest channel there
are 30 feet at mean low water,
and ships may anchor in water of that
depth. The mean rise and fall of the tide
at Fort Taylor is IA feet. No dredging
is necessary. 1t is easy of access, diff
cult, from having several channels, to
| blockade, and the small site occupied by
the government is not likely to be needed
for mercantile purposes. Conveniences
for hauling up and keeping in readiness
| for service one or two small monitors can
be prepared here at small expense, and
there is a lot Of land lying between the
| two sections of the navy property adj
mirably adapted to this use, which can be
| bought for a reasonable sum.
| DiSddDdntdges.-By the southwest chan
mel squadron of the heaviest IrOnclads,
drawing as much as 27 feet, can approach