Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-10
RICHMOND HARBOR.
PLACE FOX ANAvAL STATION.
nensriai or the Chamber or Commerce Re-
esmmendins Richmond n Naval aud
Military station.


heneriai or the Chamber Of Commerce Re-
esmmendipg Riehmend NJ a Naval aud
Military station.
The following is the memorial of the
Board of Directors of the Richmond
Chamber Of Commerce, copies of which
have been forwarded to the Secretary
OF the Navy, the Secretary of War, and
to the United States Senate:
fotfhe Hon. William T.. Chandler.
Secretary Of the Nary:
The Chamber of Commerce of the
city of Richmond ask leave to present
the following statement and request:
james river, one Of the most impor-
tant tributaries Of the Atlantic ocean.
lies directly opposite the capes of vir-
GINA, and 1t approaches, through Hamp-
ton Roads, Chesapeake bay, the
largest inland water on the east
ern coast. The channel of this river.
although generally of sufficient width
and depth for the passage of the largest
ships. is obstructed by shoals. which
formerly left a depth of only fourteen
feet, which, at comparatively small
outlay, has been increased to eighteen
Ret. The improvement now being car
ried on by the Government will bring A
depth of twenty-five feet at full tide to
the city of Richmond, about one hun
dred miles west of Fortress Monroe.
AT this point James river burrows the
upliitod granite plain on which Rich |
mond and Manchester are built and
'alls over one hundred feet. I'm its |
course it has excayated a level basin
nearly two square miles in area at the
foot of the falls and at the head of tide
water and between these cities.
The range Of the tides is 81 feet, and
the way to the sea is never obstructed
by ice. This is the nearest tide-water
point to the great Kanawha coal-iields
which supply favorite fuel for Ameri-
can and foreign steamships, and is the
nearest convergent point to the grain
fields. the cOal-fields, and the cotton
fields of the continent.
The location is in mild climate.
within four hours of the capital of the
nation, and is healthful. Geographical
iy, Richmond lies as far west as Ro-
chester, n. Y. and as far north as
Cairo, Ill. II comprises a large and
manufacturing community.
has population of nearly $4,000. and
by convergent systems Of railways is
connected with all the great cities West
and South, and with large furnaces and
extensive forests. II is absolutely de-
fensible from the sea. and its lines of
supply are far inland.
This has long Zen spoken of as fit
place for a naval station and base of
military supplies. We are informed
hat nearly half century ago it was
mentioned in an official report to the
French Government as by nature the
pest location for 4 naval station in the ,
United States. The improvement Of |
he river, the construction of rail
oads, and the lessons of the last
var, by the early capture Of the
Norfolk nayy-yard and the late surren-
Ter Of Richmond. with the requirement
f lresh-water anchorage for iron-clads. :
nd Of an elevated and abundant supply : :
f water for dockage Of large vessels. =
dd to the reasons that then existed.
Your memorialists represent that .
here are exceptional advantages in IA
or of this point, whether for building.
utfitting, supplying. repairing, or an
horsgc Of naval vessels, or collection a
nd storage of military supplies and a
e respectfully request that Il suryeybe y
rdered and a commission of army and Ii
avy officers be appointed to take 81
ITO consideration the proofs we may n
resent or that may appear. and II
port upon the character and import a
nee Of these natural advantages in {
with the establishment of a y
,w naval station and depot for military ci
lpplics for the United States. OF
This body tenders an invitation to al
lch commission to visit this city. and in
i'll furnish all information and every al
cility in its power to aid it in reaching in
} intelligent and just conclusion. OF
II. T.. BLANKENSHIP. President. sc
". u. ChestGmdh. Secretary. as
This memorial was yesterday placed Ca
the hands of the parties in Washing III
n to whom it is addrcssed-War and W
IVY Secretaries and Senate. tn
Ve