The Portland daily press., 1883-12-31
NAVY YARDS.

Important suggestions froEn the Commits
sier Regarding Their sale.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The commission on
navysards in their report to the Secretary of
the Navy, refer to the fact that navy yard
regarded simply as ship building and manu-
factating establishment, is not in any proper
sense OF the word a work OF defence but is on
the contrary an element of weakness inasmuch
as is ipyites an enemy's attack. There is, how
ever tho commissioners say, species of naval
stat that is OF great value for the purpose of
defense and that is dock yards where vessels
OF war prepared in all essential respect for i'm
mediate service are held in reserve for sudden
emergencies. Should tie policy Of tine govern
ment direct the maintenance of such reserves
any navy yard having space for their accom-
mediation would become by virtue of such re-
serves means of defence but not otherwise
The commissioners are led to the following
deductions:
FIRST The large and wealthy cities, such as
Boston, Nav YORK, Philadelphia, San Francis
co. etc, must be defended at any cost, by per-
inanent Notifications; SO that the locating OF q
navy yard within the defences of such cities
does not addsto the expense Of system of de-
fensive works.
Second. That the placing OF navy yard
cessitates Notifications for it's defense, where
otherwise there might be none.
Third. That a sheet of water offering great
natural advantages, as a rendezvous for a feet
must be defended at any cost, lest an enemy
take possession, aud make il a place of hostile
opers ton. Such body OF water is to be- found
in Narragansett Bay, ports of Long Island
Sound. Hampden Roads, Pensacola, etc
Erection OF navy yard within Il ie lines OF
such places, therefore does not necessarily add
TO- ft1a1 t1fft t.a4.4 4x.f1
think NJ re Island navy yard should be retain
cd, az 1t Is the only one on the Pacific coast
and fulhlls most of the requirements of per-
feet site.
With regard to Portsmouth yard the commits
sion reports that it affords an ample depth of
water, is rarely INSTRUCTED by ice, is in region
where skilled labor can always be obtained has
beautiful climate, is susceptible of defense,
and has an excellent plant for the construction
and repair OF wooden ships. In view Of these
advantages the commissioners do not recon-
mend the sale Of this yard as it will always be
useful as sanitary station. Being wholly un-
tenaale in time of var It's development into
an iron shipbuilding yard is out of the ques-
tion.
The commissioners say of Boston navy ward
thai all its approaches are susceptible of de-
fence, and IS there is large population near it
TO supply defenders, it would be difficult to
blockade 1t, is easy of access at all STAGES of
tide to vessels of the heaviest draught, skilled
labor and material may be found il abund-
ance in its vicinity, it could be improved at a
reasonable cost, and situated as it is in one of
the great centers OF ocean commerce sudden
demand by the government for an increased
number Of mechanics, OF marine artificers or
for seanlen, could readily be supplied. Its
chief disadvantage is that in its present de-
fenceless condition it could easily be destroyed
by an hostile fleet The accommodations with
regard to it are as follows:
Your commissioners are of the opinion that
it is not advisable to sch this yard. Its geo.
graphical position is excellent Dlaut fine dry
dock and buildings and adaptability to further
improvements give it too much value to be
reliGquished, and sooner or later dsfe nsiye
works for the protection of the city of Boston
must be constructed when the yard will bs
safe from attack. The sale is recommended
of the whole or the larger part of the naval
hospital grounds at Chelsea, Mass. AS at pres-
cut occupied they impose a barrier to ready
communication between the Charestown dis
trlct OF Boston and . portion OF the city of
chelsea and are thus a serious detriment to
the interests of the latter; the area is much
larger than is necessary for the demands of
the hospital and has become too valuable to
be unimproVed or to be utilized in the minor
purposes OF pasturase snd gardening. There
Is demand for these grounds for building
sites and they would undoubtedly find ready
sales If brought into the market
Ihs commissioners report that the disad-
yantages OF the New London station, regarded
as site for naVy yard, greatly outweigh its
advantages inasmuch as it is omen to attack
and difficult to defend; it is easily blockaded
the channel leading to it is too narrow and the
cost of improving it and erecting defensive
works would be very great. They recommend
that IL bs used as site for q naval asylum
provided clear titie be furnished and il not
that 1T be re-ceded to the State of COnnect-
cut The commissioners believe that about 5S
acres OF the New York York navy yard should
be sold The League ISLAND navy yard it ia be-
ieved should be retained as it is most desira-
BILE location on the Atlantic coast for iron ship
building. 1t is sFecommended that the naval
asylum property at Phiiadelphia be sold as
soon as other provisions can be made for its
inmates. The sale of the naval station
Sackett's Harbor, N. Y, is not recommended
as the commissioners believe that
that part of the frontier requires proIect-
ion. The Washington navy yard should
not be abandoned for although it
is wholly unsuited for o shipbuildiDg or re-
pairing pard; its very valuable plant most of
which is of specific character and the num-
ber OF resident artisans who have become skill
ed in its use admirable adapt it for the manu-
facture of special objects under several bureaus
Sale of the PeDsacoia navy yard is not recom-
menGed, because although wholly untenable
against naval attack there may yet arise cir
cumstances that would it great mlitory value,
nd Its COST of maintenance is small But rec
ognizing the necessity for navy yard on the
gut that is defensible against o naval attack
they recommend The appointment of q clm-
mission to solicit site on the Pensacola bay
or ia some other locality.
Norfolk navy yard. Though this yard IL de-
ticient in many important particular, the ad-
vantaees it undoubtedly possesses far outweigh
its deficiencies, and it's proximity to Hampton
Roads, makes it practically Indispensable.
Key West Naval Station. The commission
ers believe that in auy maritime war Keywest
must be retained in oar possession, at whstev-
er cost, when facirities and conveniences Of
this station would be of great importance.