The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-16
NAVY DEPArrrxwr.

lunet % the naval station AZ Port O-eAsra
- ses ~ It's value 20 commerce / have
- say tnat while am unable % give any
$3.50. ssaa.ss Gee IS 10 the cost Of the proposed
pIoJss. there Is no doubt that secess OBJ
,aansd 70 such fine body OF fre.h wat-r =.
.-Aks " Ashfngtcn wouid be Of great vasus
20 sae navy and 20 all steel and iron shes
e1ksssa IN eoramercs in that section
&c. ana iron chips BY lying Ia fresa
nter 40 not eorroce. ana ID Is said that
ozrn SEES on the bottom Of ships die when
exposed 20 fre.h water Whsther ta~ rov-
eminent should undertake this enterprise
matter lying 80 wholly within the dis
sfetson OF congress that the department
Goes not feel justified in expressing sny
inrtnsr opinion Ia the matter.
fully, ipe@
toisnsaD III. A HExsxxr.
Secretary OF shs Navy"
rHx rzeIsKEEs' REPORT.
Tie report Of tbs board Of engineers,
dated July n. reads as .olioxs:
We have. as engineers, been more or
less familiar with this project Of connect
ing thsse waters. and interested in its
study and development, professionally. for
some years past. and during our recent
VISIT 70 the 5ound on pablo duty in con-
necticn with the dry dock construction at
the naval station at Port Orchard ws
awaited ourselves Of the opportunity of
visiting the locality
Our observations at that time have
only served 10 confirm the conclusions
previously formed - TO the entire feasible
ity OF the project. and the great value
which access - Lake Washington Houid
Dc TO the navy as well NJ 10 commerce at
large
The navy needs such sheltered, fresh
water haroor with good anchorage for lay.
ing up its steel vessels. etc. as . necessary
adjunct OF the navy yard in the Sound,
such ~ 10 now awaited of In the waters OF
the Delaware and James rivers Ia the
North Atlantic coast. as the deterioration
OF steei and iron bottoms in sea waters ia
well known to be very great. both from
touilng and corrosion. and their life and
efficiency would be much prolonged by
laying them up in IL when not In commits
sion.
The great activity Of the teredo In the
waters OF the Sound renders all timber
construction OF whRrves. trestles, coal
bunkers, etc, along the hartor and navy
yard fronts very costly. both 10 build and
maintain. while the limited anchorage
ground obtained in the harbor and the
great range of tides az once ixcreases the
necessity for extensive wharfage construc-
tions in deep water.
"Ail these Disadvantages and obstacles
20 commerce would DO overcome by the
the fresh waters Of tho lake accessible as
proposed.
1.-THE cost OF this work appears TO be
small in comparison with the very great
advantages TO the navy and commerce
which its construction would secure.
"lf there be no serious objections 10 the
lowering Of Laks Washington 10 the level
Of Lake Union, which seems much to be
desired. and there appears to be no engi-
neering difficulties in the way, access TO
both lakes would thea be had through the
single lock as projected and required az
the outlet into the Sound, thus bringing
the fresh waters of Salmon bay and Lakes
Union and Washington all 10 the border Of
the Sound, and saving both time and cost
In reaching them.
.sThe existence Of this fine sheltered and
tsdeless fresh water harbor Ola this coast.
situated as il Is in such a mild climate, in
the midst of great natural resources al
ready sklrted by railways and reached
direct by three transeontinentsl lines, and
its proximity TO our naval station, reQuir-
ing such an adjunct. would seem % raise
this question of its availability by this
proposed improvement Of the waterway 10
one Of national importance"
The other day, when Capt. symons
talked over the matter with Senator
Squire, he said that the praiscs was ''one
OF the most important II not the most inn
portans improvement on the Coast.
When the canal is completed IL will prove
Lake Washington to be one Of the greatesE
fresh water nsrbors in the world. Ii will
be absolutely pesFiessP
work or aErrfsa RioHr-oF-wsr.
Capt symons came here Thursday, 81
the express solicitation Of T. o.
Graves, president of the Chamber
Of Commerce, who was la doubt
as TO whose duty il was TO make the pre-
liminarv survey by lots aud blocks of the
proposed route. Can't. Symons agreed that
il was the governments duty. and so
recommended 20 the department. The
FIRST work now 20 be done is 20 determine.
bv exact description, the lots and parts Of
lots embraced within the right-of-way.
Eugene Ricksscker, who Was formerly en-
Moved In the geological survey. and has
also served under Capt Symons Tor some
tina. has oeen assigned 10 make this sur
xex and will commence work in about two
weeks At present be IS engaged in other
work. The expense of the survey viii be
deducted from the s., coo appropriation.
When the exact right-of.say Is located.
swing a description Of the lots and blocks
across which the route will run. the own-
ership Of the property wi!l be ascertsinsd.
All title. will he examined and competency
Of holders 10 give title thoroughly tnvesta-
gntad Various other minor details wall
sl.o come under the supervision OF this
engineer which, when completed. viii fur
ntsh work for the Chamber OF Commercs
and city eouncu committees. IL Is tacn
that il will be necessary Tor the people OF
seattle 10 secure the dedication Of the lots
.oa blocks for the canal right-of-wAy 10
the government free Of cost
rHx sKvKxAL rRorosxp Rouyrs.
Twenty-four years ago. whsn Gen. Bar
ton 5. Alexander visited the sound, he
made several surveys Of rossibis routes Of
the canal to Lake Warrington. he sur
viewed the salmon bay route. the enc nos
.scptea. the Smith's cove route, The route
frora the sseoAi ehnte" throaSa tue ~hamp"
20 Lake Union, the roate which would cut
through where Pike street now Taas. and
.hs route np the nusamtsh river 80 the
.,uthsrn end Of the lake. His repaFt on
,h..a surveys il espesally valuAole be-
..a.e nj. conclusions we're. after nearly q
cn.rter Of esntury's crltieEs1-ase long
go ri. aenth--eonErme5 "a soundsy wise
NV eonxre.s, ard al appropriation naads
tar the CON nencelsBt q the rrotect on
r. reute. This repars Is 20 Re foand IN =
ornnualeatiaa dated October II, isst, al
dressed by the general % Nsf.-Sen. A. A.
Humphrevs. chief Of engineers, United
states array, snd pertinent pasats wsFe a.
Ioi.oWss
..S...tle harbar. opposite to Pert Or
chsrs and on he ssstefn eide ef Arbitrarily
tnlws. although more fzvcfaniv locates -
"a rnuabie az nesaE made 50 snt2resT