The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-18

know 10 be the wishes OF the people OF
this community and its vicinity, respect
fuuv represent that the Norfolk Navy
Yard from It's geographical position on
the Atlantic coast IS admirably suited
FOR Government dock yard, possessing
advantages unequalled by any otner To-
cation
II was recommended by Admiral Yer
non 90 the British Government in colo
nial days. after a careful survey OF the
eastern coast OF North America, as the
best harbor FOR a dock yard.
70 was used as a rendezvous OF the
British Navy during the Revolution
President Washington rented a ship
yard on the present site for the construc-
tion OF one Of the six frigates authorized
20 be built during his first administration
and l6 acres OF the present yard was
originally purchased for $1,000 by Pres
ident Adams, under the act of Con-
gress. February %. 1709 for the build
ing Of six H-gun ships.
From that day to this Il has been the
favorite station Of the government for
the building, repairing and fitting out
ships Of war
It is situated on the southern branch
Of the Elizabeth river above the cities
Of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
IL IS defended by Fortress Monroe,
and IS accessible 20 the waters Of North
Carolina by two canals.
The capes OF Virginia, its ocean gate
way is open at all seasons and all
stages of the tide TO the largest ships.
IT is I'm a latitude free from obstruct-
ing frosts I'm winter and exempt from the
malignant feyers Of more Southern
ports.
It's climate enables outdoor work at
L. -. L.
desirable in the rigging Of ships.
Up TO the present time its channel
has been kept Of sufficient depth and
width 70 enable the arrival and departure
Of vessels at all hours of the day or
night
Notwithstanding the fact that the
channel from Hampton Roads to the
Navy Yard is with the exception Of
a few reaches. seven hundred feet wide
and twenty-fge feet deep, at ordinary
low tide, which however, is decreased
by the prevalence Of southwesterly winds.
| Il was recently considered imprudent to
bring the cruiser New York up to the
Navy Yard although the exigencies OF
| the Navy Department demanded IT,
AS in the progress Of ship-building
/ Veasels hre every year increasing IN
size and draft Of water both for the
navy and commercial marine. and as
/ it is imperatvely necessary for the pub
/ lic good that the vessels Of the Amer
4 ican navy should be able at all times
10 erter and depart from this impor-
tant station, I'm perfect safety and with
| out waiting for the tide; your memorial
| lists, therefore, pray that Congress will
! have a survey made Immediately and ap-
| propriate the necessary amount, 10 widen
| the channel continuously from Hampton
| Roads to the Navy Yard TO not less
than 200 feet including the removal Of
! the Lambert's Point shoal, and to deepen
the channel to tWenty-eight feet at or
| dlnary low tide.
Your memorialists would suggest that
! the phenomenal growth Of the commerce
! Of the port Of Norfolk in the last five
| years. exceeding that Of any port on the
| Atlantic or Pacific oceans, warrants
some consideration I'm making this ex-
| penditure.
The steam coal trade alono has
| brought TO Norfolk I'm the last twelve
| months some 1900 heavy sea going ves-
sells including 800 foreign steamships,
| calling for American Goals for fuel I'm
! cr3csing the Atlantic.
And your memorialists win ever pray,
For the Chamber OF Commerce.
Committee on River, Harbor and Ca
nails: William Lamb, president; Frank
| lin Weld Walter II. Taylor n. NJ. Os-
| borne, Walter II. Doyle, John L. Roper"
Colonel Lamb made some inquiries into
the progress Of the Committee on Ways
and Means. and had a short interview
/ with Congressman Wilson. the chairman.
He is Of the opinion that notwithstand-
ing the strong protests submitted TO that
committee during its public hearings
| by the people Of Virginia and West Vir-
ginia, against any reduction i'm the tariff
ON coal. that a majority Of the committee
viii be i'm favor Of placing it on the free
! list He viii leave this evening for Nor
folk, where ne will deliver lecture to-
morrow night on the Blockade Run
ners."
General n. NJ. Curtis who represents
the Twenty-second New York Congress
sional district. will return to Norfolk
the guest Of Colonel Lamb. He COM
| manded the Federal charge at the battle
Of Fort Fisher. and sustained the loss Of
his left eve in that engagement. He
was afterwards promoted provisional
brigadier-general for gallant services
rendered on that occasion. Colonel Lamb
who was on hand TO receive General Cur
tis on the occasion Of his former visit to
Fort Fisher will offer the hospitalities
OF the city by the sea this time in a man
ner which win certainly be more agree
able to both gentlemen.
Notwithstanding that the heads Of the
different departments are loudly pro-
claiming that mo more Virginians need
applv." Honorable Claude a. Swanson
was able to secure for Mr. r. c. Penn. Of
Virginia. from Secretary Of Treasury,
the position Of Immigrant commissioner.
Dr. Phil. Taylor, of Richmond, is in the
city on a visit.
Nfessrs. r. II. Holland and w. L. Rami
and Jobn l.. Penn and wife of Danville,
Va. are at the National, the latter
returning from a visit TO the Worlds
Fair
Aressrs. j. r. Penn and IT. 6. Penn.
prominent tobacco manufacturers Of
Reidsvile. North Carolina, are at the
Aratropolitan. ii. /. w.
TUSSLE WIN 4 BEAR.