The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-27
AFTER A NAVY YARD.
Admiral Brown Makes q Tour
of the Lakes.
POSSIBILITY OF THE FUTURE.
Mishaps and Adventures OF the Day
Incidents of the Day Not Figured
on the Programme.

~.1iel VI TIC TACTIC siHtious MADE an Inspection
OF Lake Washington and its actual aud pos
nbae connection with the Sound, with view to
acquiring preliminary information upon its
euaptabiiify as as naval station. At Q o'clock
Yesterday morning the admiral arrived at the
lower terminal of the Yesler avenue car line
where he was received BY Mr.. +. ]. Grant on be-
haif OF the cable road company, and coaches
placed at the disposal Of the naval party. The
admiral was accompanied by Captain George
c. Remey. Chief Engineer Inch, Medical In
specfor Woods. Paymaster BHrtis, Captain Muse,
marine corps: Mr. George P. Blow, flag secre-
tary; Lieutenant Dyer, Lieutenant Field ana
Cadet Cole. The party being ktiIl the guests of
the Chamber OF Commerce, President Leary did
the honors of the occasion, and was ably as
sisted By Chairman wittler, of the reception COM
mitfee. ex-Attorney General J. B. Metcalfe and
secretary J. w. Dodge. Among other members
were Messrs. W. Z. Bailey, Thomas Prosch. Al
fred Holman, Griffith Davies. D. Ferguson, G. h
Hebron, 6. B. Kittinger and C. III. Kittinger.
The Board of Trade was represented by Presi-
dent George B. Adair, the legislature by Senator
Rinehart. and the city council by Messrs
r. H. Calligan, d. A. Mckenzie, Alonzo
Hull. Leander Miller. +. ]. Phillips and
w. G. Hall. Judge Hoyt, of the supreme
court, Superior Judge Lichtenberg, City Attor-
ney Shepard and Traffic Manager 4. w. Ruff. of
the Seattle. Lake Shore Il Eastern Railway,
were also among the guests. Colonel sheafe,
who were unable to join the party aided in the
reception OF the distinguished officers at the
rendezvous.
The trip to the lake was made without Incl
dent, the party boarding the c. c. Calkins at
the end of the line fer the purpose of making q
tour of the lake. The admiral manifested the
deepest interest in the object OF his visit, aud
with the aid of maps each OF the party sought
to acquaint himself with every detail which
could assist them in forming an opinion. Ad-
mifal Brown hss already laid down
the general line of requirements of
place suitable for navy
yard, and Messrs. Leary. Prosch and Dodge had
provided themselves with all available data for
answering the questions with which they were
piled. The commission sent to the Sound about
eighteen months ago had reported, among other
points. upon the availability of a location either
on Mercer island or the mainland,
near what is known Wilson'S
ranch. Interest ceniered mainly on that por-
ton of the trip; and the depth of water at
midstream and in shore to distance from coal.
iron and timber sources, extent of tracts of
land. value OF land, distance from the city, for
nation and soil were all discussed with careful
calculation.
As the inquiry is only Of general and prefa-
tory character no attempt was made at vertical
ton, but upon the report made by the admiral
the department will base its further investiga-
ton. A landing was made at Mercer island for
few minutes, but little time was lost and be-
fore IL O'Clock the tour of the lower lake and
the circuit of the island was completed.
Although the business character of the trip
was strictly adhered to, the exquisite weather
made it most delightful occasion, and even
the naval officers, with all their experience of
varied scenes, were enchanted by the magnii-
cence of the view presented. By midday the
mists had cleared from Mt. Rainier, named after
distinguished member OF their own profession
serving under another flag, and the grand
mountain gradually emerged into distinct out
line with dramatic effect which entranced the
eve. There is probably not site in the world
chosen for the purpose in view which would be
50 picturesquely surrounded.
The. steamer halted at Yarrow, and there the
visitors became acquainted with another of the
wonderful resources of the Sound country.
Strolling through the lovely grounds of Leigh 8.
J. Hunts charming residence. they found fruit
laden trees only two years old. Exclama-
tions of delight at the delicate flavor
and rich variety were frequent even from
the lips of those who were but recently from
California and the Hawaiian islands.
81 have always thought of the Puget sound
country as forest of dark pines, country of
logs and OF coal and iron mountains. not Is a
paradise on earth" said Captain Muse.
Northward. attention was directed to the site
of the great IRON works. the line of the belt rail-
road, the facilities for transportation FROM the
city. and the lumber mills at Union bay.
The steamer headed for the lock of the
Portage, the point at which coal was
formerly landed by barges from the New
castle coal mines for transhipment
to the shore front, but which has been aban.
doned since the opening up of the rrilroad. TIE
only break in the proceedings up to this time
had been simple but plentiful lunch washed
down with iced champagne, and partaken of in
the earnest silence of healthy appetite.
II was determined to land at the old wharf
The steamer could not get close in, as the chan
mel has silted up. but some OF the party clam
bered along solitary beam still left in the
piles, while others took to the boats and were
landed on the dilapidated structure fast falling
into decay. When two boats loads had been
landed and the visitors were picking their way
over rotting planks, stepping gingefly on
worm-eaten timber, an appalling sound was
heard. to describe which Charles Kittinger in
vented the phrase. ''a dull, sickening thud"
Where Judge Hoyt had stood was an aperture
he had disappeared like a fairy through a
trap-door For moment the rest were para
lyzed, but Immediately General Me,calfe, George
and Charles Kittinger and City Attorney
shepard cried: ''Stand back" Quick IS thought
they tore up two or three OF the stou,er planks
and laying them al the side of the hole helped
up the learned judge. who had droppes ten feet
and landed in the marsh naire. He laughed at
his mishap, although covered to the waist in
mud, and returned TO the steamer where he
procured another suit of: clothes Mr.
Shepard jumped down twelve feet
through the mesh of broken wood to help
the judge. and his prolonged extremities disap-
peared, but he climbed up an ancient pile none
the worse excep. that his legs were encased in
thick coating of the miro. Mr.. Adair sought
another soft spot but got OFF easier. Throwing
of their coats dozen gentlemen tore up planks
and in less than half an hour had constructed
leaping places from which the visitors jumped,
scrambled. slid and tumbied over the perilous
hundred yards between sea and shore.
The miniature canal, now used only for logs
between Lake Washington and Lake Union. was
OF great interest 70 the officers, who stood upon
is efudely -riyen banks and calculated how far
il was practicable and what il would cost to
widen ii that great vessels could
be BORN ont OF the womb of the lake and emerge
into the ocean waters. While awaiting the ar
rival of q steam tug, the visitors rested and re-
ireshed themselves. some fishing at the lock
with improvised rods. Others inspecting the log
chute, and the admiral resuming his interroga-
tories
Nearly an hour elapsed before the little
launch Lstons arrived. She could not reach
shore on account of mass of logs. There was
no help bat To scramble over the floating lurn-
Der, and an exciting struggle ensued. some
there were who skipped from log TO log like
Alpine goats: ss-legs came in handy 10 those
trained to shifting fooyholds but the efforts NJ
equii brium We're generally successful small
blat put Otto hep the tardy and got near
shore. A rush was male To reach ii, the logs
rolled like living monsters. feet went flying
and smong the feet that few were those OF u
W Pratt of the observation-disclosures. which
did net fly fast enough between two revolving
foaters, and ne sounded the derfhs
Cool he AIDED Griffith Davies and the
ubiouitons George kiitinger leaned
back in moment and kneeling