Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-23
THE MONITOR FLEET.
SHALL IT CONE TO RICHMOND OR GO
TO CITY POINTl
Commodore Weaver Quoted by Coionei
brady as saying that the Latter
Affords the Best Anchorage.


The question Of the removal of the mont
tor fleet is still being discussed with
great deal OF interest.
There seems 10 be little doubt that the
anchorage of the ironolads will be changed
and the fight for their location is between
Richmond and City Point. Strong IN
luences will be brought to bear IN favor OF
each these places.
The monitors were stationed at City
Point for a number of years before being
brought, about three years ago, mp TO the
point where they now lie, about two and
half miles below tho city. They toucned
bottom there as they have done below
Richmond, and they were liable 10 such
other disturbing influences as exist here,
There can be no question that II brought
nearer TO Richmond so "a to come WITHIN
police jurisdiction the irODolads will have
n better moOrinC place than ever before,
and the officers and men will be given 40
clal and other advantages such as they
could not have anywhere else on the river
Richmond will be given Il full hearing
before any action is taken IN the matter,
and there is no doubt that she will present
q strong case.
NOT AT LIBERTY TO TALK.
Colonel @. p +. Burgwyn. the engineer
in charge Of the James River Improvement.
was asked Yesterday If any steps had been
taken looking to the removal of the fleet
nearer 10 this city. and If good location
could be found near tho corporate limits.
He replied that In obedience 10 instructions
from the department at Washington he
would have 20 decline 70 say anything at
present in regard 10 the proposed removal.
The Engineer, however, shares the belief
of other well-informed citizens that the
fleet viii not be ordered back to City Point.
Colonel John B. Purcell, president OF
the Chamber of Commerce. who is deeply
interested in this matter and who together
with Mayor Ellys0n. had long conference
with Captain Graham on Monday night.
said last evening that as yet no definite
steps have been taken on behalf Of me city
OF Richmond. Colonel Burgwyn has been
asked to look into the subject and report
whether q desirable place Of anchorage
can 90 obtained within or near the corpo-
ra'e limits. After this report is made
further steps will he taken. The engineer
has told the Mayor that a suitable place
can be- provided. This, IT Is thought. is
near the Chesapeake and Ohio wharvcs.
An Interview with Colonel Brady.
Colonel James d. Brady. ex.congresss-
man nom the Fourth district and now Col,
hector of Internal Revenue, was interviewed
On this subject Yesterday by the Peters
burg corresp spondont Of the DISPATCH; Colo
mel Brady. after speaking OF the selection
by board Of naval officers Of City Point as
the most desirable place on the Atlantic
coast Tor the location OF the monitors and
ref ring 90 ne satisfaction Of Commander
Mullen aud the officers and men while the
boats remained there, referred to the
causes which, IN his Judgment, led To- the
thelr removal during the admlnlstra-
ton of Mr.. Cleveland 10 thor pres
ent anchorage below Richmond. lie
continued: Tho place AZ when
all the points near Richmond on the james
river hai been carefully examined.
FAD 10 RE DREDGED.
when the present location had been
chosen 1t became necessary 20 dredge a
hole IN the James il order 70 float a mum
her of the monitors at low tide. The eX
pense Of the dredging was borne at that
time by the city OF Richmond, but 1t Is
understood that subsequently the money
va rounded by the United States Govern
mcnt.'
a matter Of fact ever since the fleet
| has been at its present location, 1T low
! tide. one or moro Of tho monitors nave
! been stuck in the mud or sand, and assu
RANGES have been given To mo by thos'
/ aboard OF the fleet that It would be lmpos
| rible 10 remove these monitors We're theN
/ rruuired for immediate use by the OniteC
! States Government. The crew have tim'
/ af,er time. by letters and personal appeals
desired me 10 represent the matter 10 th'
! Navy Department and the Log Book o
! the Fleet returned 70 the Navy Depart
ment IN Washington will show tho c0ndl
| ton Of the monitors.
SAW TIE SECRETARY.
Responding TO these numerous appeali
! and IN my capacity as a member Ot com
! ujttee appointed by the Chamber of Com
merce Of Petersburg the matter was sub
/ uit'ed to the Secretary Of the Navy scyera
| months ago. and the Secretary, after n
number of interviews with him IN tho
presence Of othor gentlemen equally con
| cerned with myself. promised that the fleet
should be returned TO City Point.
COMMODORE wEAyER's VIEWS.
Subsequently had a conference Will
/ Commodore Weaver, cOnmandant OF the
uavy-vard. IN whose naval station tht
monitor fleet Is located. aud Commodore
| Weaver frankly stated that CITY Point u a
! hotter location for the monitor fleet. and
/ that If called upOn he would - express
! himself oficiall, 10 the Navy Department
Quito recently. also. as a member oi
the committee appointed by the Chamber
Of Commerce Of Petersburg, ! called upon
Commodore Ramsay, chief of the Bureau
of Navigation. at Washington, relative t(
| tho matter, and from that gentleman
| learned Commander Graham's opposition
to the present location Of tho monitor
| llcet.'
Collector Brady says he has not tht
/ pleasure Of personal acquaintance with
| Commander Graham and has had no com
munication with him on the subject o.
removals, but from statements recently
printed in the Richmond newspapers from
| Commander Graham his own convictions
that the interests Of the public service de,
mand a removal of the fleet are confirmed
ruunn1LNcInc LIE 1IlNNEl