The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-31


In 1880 President Harrison appointed
a commission TO select a site for a large
naval dry dock on the Gulf coast. The
commission inspected several ports. in
Guiding Key West and New Orleans. and
reported in favor OF New Orleans. 1t was
the opinion Of the commission that If only
one dock was 10 be built it had better
be built at the Crescent City. The people
Of Key West were disappointed, OF
course, but they did not give up the
night for dock. They are lighting yet.
and with excellent ammunition. They
have an abundance Of facts to show that
a large dock al Key West would be not
only invaluable in time of war. but Of the
greatest benefit to the navy and the mer-
chant marine in times of peace
The government has found it desirable
and necessary TO police with war ships
TO "A greater or less extent the Caribbean
sea The South Atlantic squadron per
forms this service. II frequently occurs
that the largest Of the new cruisers are
on duty there. The warm waters of the
Gulf and the Caribbean sea are conducive
to marine growths. making it impera tive
that the bottoms of the ships should be
cleaned at frequent intervals. Under ex-
listing circumstances there is no dock be-
tween Rio de Janeiro and Norfolk which
can take IN d cruiser like the Baltimore or
the Columbia. Whenever one of the larger
vessels needs scraping. or a bit Of re-
pairs below the water line. she must con-
sumo nearly a weeks supply of coal and
be away from station q long while, 10 60
"A great distance north or south to a
dry dock
should trouble occur in the West In
dies or any of the Caribbean Islands, or
Central America or northern South Amer
lea, the Importance of Key West as a
naval station and the desirability of a dry
dock at that point would be at once ap-
parent The British government has
splendid dock at Bermuda-a hospital in
which the injured ships Of that govern
ment could receive attention and be speed
lily returned TO the scene of action. This
government has no efficient dock any
where in that section The New Orleans
dock is still in the dim. distant future.
In 1874, when there was danger of war
between this country and Spain because
OF the Nirginius affair. the need Of a dock
at Key West was illustrated. Only few
months ago. when there was a little
furry at Bluefields. it was seen that re-
pair station at the point of the Florida
peninsula was greatly to be desired.
Should the Nicaragua canal be built.
probably so per cent. of the enormous
tonnage entering the Florida straits woulI
pass within sight of Key West. If a
large dry dock Were located there. al
most every ship that needed repairs on
their bottoms, or scraping. would call at
the port, and the governments receipts
for dockage charges from these vessels
would in few years 60 a long way to-
ward paying the cost of the dock. The
saving in time and coal consumption bv
the cruisers Of the South Atlantic SQUAD
ron would probably make up the balance
OF the cost.
The scheme Of dock at Key West has
the unqualified Endorsement of such au-
thorities as Admirals Luce Porter Erben.
Jouett and others, who have rom time
to time reported on or written with re-
gard to the strategic Importance of the
station. The commercial bodies of Key
West are hard at work to secure an ap-
preparation of 100000 for the building of
the dock.