The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-24
THE NAVAL DRY DOCK
Report of Special Commission
Sent to Congress.
PORT ORCHARD A SPLENDID SITE
Columbia River Hardly Worthy Of Con-
sideration--The Necessary Land
win Cost s37, ZOO.

WASHINGTON CRY, Dec. 23.-ESpecial. l.
The report of the commission 10 look over
the Northwest seaboard and select site
for dry dock and navy yard was for
warded TO congress by the secretary of war
today. As previously outlined in these
dispatches the commission found that no
place in the Northwest possessed the adj
! vantages of Port Orchard, and it was
unanimously recommended that the site
known as Point Turner be selected as it
was suitable for both naval and CONNER
cial purposes. One clause under
which the commission acted pro-
yided that it should ascertain
the price at which and could be
purchased, and the commission invited
owners of land in the vicinity of Point
Turner and kitsap lake 10 meet in confer
ence. There was aversion on the part Of
many to transfer land to the government
at any figure. while others exaggerated
the value of the land to such an extent
that it was impossible to do business with
them. This caused the commission much
trouble, but it was finally decided to resort
to appraisal, which was done with salts
factory results. The tract selected con-
tains ASS 5-10o acres This is more than
acreage would destroy the natural water
boundaries and frontages, which are
extensive and valuable. In addition to this
there is tract containing S07, 10 acres,
taking in Lake kitsap, which is indis
pensable on account of tile large supply of
fresh water it affords. The appraised val
uation of the Point Turner tract was $780,
533, and Lake Kitsap S6, los, making a total
&c
basins are pointed out as spots admirably
formed for the dry dock plant. The rea-
sons given by the commission for select
ing this site are: Deep water close to the
beach; the fact that railroads are
looking in that direction; that sup
plies are easily obtainable from
Seattle and Tacoma. and that all the
materials used In construction are close at
hand. The commission says it was greatly
impressed with the wonderful and rapid
growth of the Northwest and its great
capabilities for future expansion, noting
especially the great population of Seattle,
Tacoma and Port Townsend, and calling
attention to the tonnage of Puget sound,
which runs up to 100000.
Then comes a hint in the report that the
site was not selected entirely for dry
selecting so much land, which can at any
time be used for naval and military pur-
poses. 1t points out that this vast and
rapidly increasing wealth accommodating
on the shores OF Puget sound is entirely
unprotected from attack in case of war
On the Atlantic seabeard there are
plenty of places into which commerce.
can retire and find safe asylums. While
temporary Instructions placed in water
channels give abundant time for the erec-
ton of Notifications, it is not SO on Puget
sound. The great depth of the water
offers no expedients for temporary OBJ
structions, and the width of the Sound
makes out of the question all reliance
upon land batteries. Besides, there are
no such batteries. There are no
rivers nor contracted harbors, with
the single exception of Port Orchard,
where commerce can take refuge At this
point there are ample means for fortifea-
tions, but at the present time the wealth
of the commerce on the Sound is at the
mercy of any insignificant power, and can
be made to pay tribute to it.
Points on the Columbia favorably inn
pressed the commission, but the topo-
graphy of the banks was not what was
tons, and further, the commerce of Puget
Sound is much larger. Other points were
also investigated but none found to equal
Port Orchard.
WASHINGTON City, Dec. 23-The presi-
dent today sent to congress the report of
the commission to select a site on the Pa
citc coast or Puget sound for dry dock.
The report, after reviewing at great length
the localities visited, states that while
solely from commercial point it might
be difficult to decide between the rival
claims of the Columbia river and Puget
sound for government dock, the condi-
tions necessary for successful defense of
the latter are such as to leave no doubt in
the mind of the commission that the pro-
posed dock should be located at Port Or
chard, on Puget sound. As strategic
point III time of war, the commission
holds that Puget sound is an important
place and one that can be easily defended.
The report discusses in detail the i'm
portance of the cooperation of naval
force with land defenses on the Sound, and
the necessity for reasonable security of the
waters to prevent a sudden raid by the
enemy. Regarding the feasibility of Port
Orchard for the location of dry dock, the
| report states that it has depth of four
teen fathoms of water, and is in other re-
spccts the most desirable place for the To-
cation of the dry dock on the Pacific coast.
| The commission estimates that the land
required for the dock, amounting TO about
| 507 acres, can be purchased for So. 900.