The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-24


Union viii hare 40 acres OF the same
depth, which area can Be largely tn
creased. Lake Washington contains
rso<e than 2.2eo acres. with an average
depthof over 200 feet. The FIRST two alone
nearly equal the area Of the LoEsdoa
docks. ard can be made 70 equal LfFer-
pools. To the east Of Lake Washing
ton. separated by 3 high ridge OF and.
lies another fresh water lake. about
seven ard one-half miles iOng-L4ake
SasnamIsa. The last survey included
estimates for a canal between these two
lakes, should there ever be demand
for the additional space.
Tue idea OF the canal ~ at least as
old as the r.fy OF Seattle. II was the
dream OF the earliest pioneers, and
has been hoped for and constantly
talked OF ever since. The attention OF
the government was first directed 20
the scheme "a the means of creating
an unexceiied naval station; for IL Was
early perceived that Puget sound fsIsisf
one day be the location OF extensive
navy yards. In 1853 Gen. George b.
Mcclellan made a survey Of this coun-
try, and I'm his report 20 the war de-
partment strongly recommended the
building OF the canal for naval uses
Recommendations have since been made
20 congress and 10 the departments by
Maj. G. s. Elliott. Gen. Il. s. Aiexan-
der. Capt Charles F. Powell. Gen Mex
son A. Miles and others. In 1870 Gen.
Alexander made careful study OF the
project and surveyed several possible
routes The report to Maj. Gen. A. A.
ar
tention 10 the fac. that '4there are only
three places on the Pacific coast OF
the United States where navy yards
or navy establishments may be located
where they can be made secure. One
OF these is at San Francisco. one at
San Diego and one is I'm the waters OF
Puget sound" He then described Sc
attic inarbor as being most favorably
situated. but not capable OF such per-
feet security as a naval station with
its stores should be. 1T will do very
well as an outer harhor, and Just east
OF " Is a large fresh water lake which
never freezes in winter. II
IL were connected with Seattle flarbcr
by a natural canal Of sufficient depth
the two tcgefher would furnish us
with an admirable position for a naval
depot, with almost every requirement
that could BIZ desired But there be-
ing no such natural channel the ques-
ton arises: Can We make an artificial
one within reasonable limits OF ex-
penSe?' Later In the report Gen.
Alexander says: IF there were such
a chance to make a great naval depot
50 entirely secure. with so many adj
vantages OF climate OF coal, timber
and fresh water free from ice, at any
suitable point along the middle Of the
Atlantic front or even of the Gulf
states, I do not imagine that there
would be much hesitation on the SUBJ
ject. The work would probably be
started at once. But situated as this
harbor is. on one flank of the Pacific
front of the United States. in a coun-
try yet in Its infancy as regards popu-
lation and resources. the case is diff
ferent
The famous dry docks at Port Or
chard, Wash, are sixteen miles south
west of Seattle. The officer In coan-
mand. Lieut.. A. Il. Wycoff. is an en-
thusiastic advocate of the fresh water
har'bor as a rendezvous and coaling
station, and, in time OF peace. con-
venient harbor where vessels can lie at
anchor ready for action. The future
navy Of the United States will un-
do1fbteily consist largely OF coast de-
fence vessels Ike the Monterey. OF
these a good half will be retained In
Pacific waters. Puget sound would be
extremely difficult to defend in time of
war. according to expert opinion
there are only three points where ade-
quate Land fortlfications could be
erected, and they would be inefficient
except In clear weather. During fogs
or under cover OF smoke vessels could
easily slip into the sound. The swift
ness OF the tides and the unusual
depth of water renders submarine
mines and torpedoes tmpracticabie
Nothing except the presence OF coast
defence vessels would suffice. A large
body OF fresh water where these YES
sells. when not in commission. can be
cared for and kept free from tarnacles
as we'll as deterioration from rust. VIII
be OF immense advantage TO The navy.
But greater still Will be the benefit
to commerce. The unique advantages
of a great fresh water haatbor where
vessels can lie at anchor undIsturbed
by tides and where all marine accre-
tions can BE- gotten rid of without the
delay and expense Of docking viii I'M
queStionably attract large amount OF
foreign shipping. All iron ana steel
tsattomed vessels arc suhjecs 10 .rou-
bltstrne marine growths. harnacies,
mussels and sea grass. and 50 loaded
do they become during long voyages
that speed is reduced sometimes one
half Fresh water is go fatal To these
growths that after Il few DAYS ex-
posture they either drop off or become
loose enough 10 be readily removed by
seraping. One Of the tnsSt ravora b q
features % the proposed Nicaragua
canal Is the fact thar the route in
ciudevi fresh water lake. where pas;s-
Ing ships may rid themselves OF their
unweAcolue accretions Another mani
fest attraction the now hartar Will
possess is its nearnesss N the vast coal
deposits ~ the state. There age half
n dozen mines iu operation practically
at the waters edge. among them the
well-knowu Newcastle. Black Diamond
Franklin and Gilman mines The cost
oT cSxal viii bc materially leSSeneif by
improved hartssr facilities. At present
IL has tn b. transported by rail IN IN.
h0nkCrs IN EgAott hay Seattle harts,rl
azaef there headed for export In add
tton ~ the delay the coal ctsnnanies
are handicapped ~ the enovuEsls .x-
s~snse ~ maintaining these fasnkeTTs
In the Sound az Seattle .he tide has
an average range of eleven feet ana