The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-16
rnE xrw arlr HAttr f1KD..
The Advantagss and Disadvantages OF Al
Elers nna the GoneInsion Reached

for the purchase Of additional land for tho new
naval station at Algiers, on the Mississippi up-
poste the lower part Of New Orleans, complete
the preparations for securing the site, and next
winter Congress will doubtless be asked to mako
the needed appropriation for beginning the
erection OF buildings thereon.
The establishment of dry dock and Navy
Yard at this point has been under consideration
for many years. Indeed, its original selection
for the purpose was made nearly half century
ago, and tract was then bought. But IL was
much later that the subject was taken up again
in a way that has led TO this final solution.
While Secretary Whitney was at the head Of
the Navy Department, Congress passed an act
providing for commission. which was to re-
port as 20 the most desirable location, on or
near the coast OF Mexico and the South At
lantic coast, for Navy Yards and dry docks. Tn.
Commission appointed under this act consisted
Of Commodore w. p. Mccain, Capt. Robert
Boyd, and Lieut. commander W. II. Brownson.
1t was soon apparent that there would be
great deal OF competition among the Southern
sea-coast cities 10 secure this yard but the
Commission reached this conclusion:
After carefully weighing all the advantage and dis.
sdySni.ses e hFlsrs as site for nsgal station the
not AN dea one NO etber se IN the S me spS,
with It in the sdvantageS offered and that the adj.
such an extent That the %sfa lone
has no hssl,stc lon II rcsommsndins the locson Of
ment reservation at Algiers.
II will be observed that the Mccain Commits
sion declared that the site at Algiers was not
an ideal one. and that 1t had sadvantages.
The two main drawbacks were found to be its
liability at times to yellow fever. and its further
liability to I've flooded by the Mississippi freshets
The latter was an objection so we'll defined that
some Of the friends OF other sites took pains to
nrhihit IN, ~, L..
troll before the matter was decided. and to the
Naval Committees of Congress, n lot of photo
graphs which showed the spot at Algers COM
pletely submerged by an overflow of the river.
That consideration even led one OF the members
OF the Commission to think seriously OF sub
shutting a site on Broad River between Port
Royal and Savannah. However. IL was shown
that the objection in question could be obviated.
As to yellow fever, the dangers Of that disease
do not prevent other business from going on
regularly at New Orleans. and while it might
dissuade some skilled mechanics, such as are
needed for shipbuilding, from going from the
North to Algiers during its prevalence. or from
fear of its approach, yet this drawback ought
not to outweigh the advantages OF the site
ished the value OF the Navy Yard at Pensacola:
but IL IL an objection more or less applicable 10
new Navy Yard in that region is greatly
needed.
With a view to making the best disposition
for the Governments needs, the Mccain Com
mission also recommended the establishment OF
a dry dock, depot OF naval supplies. and a coal
ing station on Paris Island. at Port Royal. where
the Government already had q naval station.
This recommendation was acted upon. and the
timber dry dock authorized at that point is now
well along toward completion. The damage
wrought there, however, by last years storm
was an argument in favor Of the selection OF
Algiers for the new navy yard or. at all events,
IL showed that there were drawbacks also Ia the
other points suggested tor It.
fsNft AHgslH
sion did not finally settle the question. since the
advocates OF other sites argued strongly against
the selection OF Algiers. Accordingly Congress.
in another annual appropriation act. provided
for the appointment of second commission. to
two civilians. TO select the Site for a dry dock on
the shores of The Iimf OF Mexico or the waters
whole subject again. In order to make its
animation thorough. the new Commissioners
visited various points. including Key West.
Orleans. Galveston, and Arkansas Pass. The
Commissioners were empowered, In select
ing site; to have regard both to the com.
mercal and naval necessities of the locality and
II the site should be on private lands TO estimate
could be purchased. In general the Commission
concluded that the site ought to have deep
hs deepssa dtsasaa = st aPthot
that it should be fa.T enough up some |
stream 70 have fresh water. 50 that the steel |
IL must be capable OF defence from attacks, |
either by sea or by land. and would be all the !
for inland transportation, with plenty OF labor at
hand and available. and II should bein healthy |
locality. In Its report the Commission mentioned
as primary requisites for the dry dock "a clear !
channel to the sea at least twenty-sx feet deep.
stability OF foundation to support load OF |
5000 tons. and protection. either by a distance |
OF twelve miles or by an intervening elevation OF
ground, from gun fire from the sea-" With all |
mercial and naval interest was held to be u |
element in the selection OF a site.
Taking these points together. 1t becomes clear |
why this second Commission affirmed the choice |
Keys were found TO be too close 10 the sea and !
exposed to the fire of enemy. At Tampa, |
Pensacola. and Mobile the channels were too /
shallow. And the same objection applied to |
the Mississippi. however, afforded entrance |
twenty-six feet deep To haEbOr sufficiently dis
tant from the sea to he safe from gun fire. New /
Orleans presented the furthr. requisite OF rail-
rial from all quarters, with large population |
from which labor could be- drawn. The bank of |
he river on the Algiers side. from the Southern
Pacific Railroad ferry, 1000 OF 5000 feet down /
additional advantage was that the Government |
already owned there Il reservation Of 3S4 feet /
front on the river by 1850 feet deep. .kdjoin-
ing property was available for purchase.
Thus the various steps have been taken in the
long aud careful inquiry now consummated by |
The purchase Of the additional land required. |
! he establishment OF n new Gulf Navy Nard and /
dry dock will be All important and much needed
provisions also for coast defence. The frequent |
docking required by our uHsheathed steel war
ships makes II imperative Ia supply other dry !
locks, while the yard at Algiers III furnishing |
folk OF ships that are serving ON station in the
iulf and are In need of Oyerhauling. Congress
mould not fall 10 make any necessary provision
Tor carrying on the work at the coming session.