The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-01-19
TIE PORTSMOUTH YARD.
ghe Baltimore Sun Ably Cham
pions the Southern Port.
SEEMSACOMCERTED SCHEME
She Alleged Injury to Vessels From
Touching Bottom Arises Some
times From Prejudiced Off
GERS. The Cost Of the
Raleigh Very Low.
Yesterdays Baltimore Sun has the

Yesterdays Baltimore Sun has the
following to say:
There seems to have been O con.
eerted scheme on the part OF certain
persons to cast aspersions upon the
navy yard ut Portsmouth,, Va, the
work accomplished there on the new
Tarships, aud to criticise every or.
der given by the Secretary of the
Navy directing ships to be sent
there either for repairs or to await
orders. Now thut Portsmouth aud
New York are the locations of the
Governments greatest shipbuilding
plants rivalry seems to have
sprung up between the two, which
crops out in various forms aud upon
divers occasions.
The latest attempt to disparage
abe facilities of the Portsmouth
yard. and more particularly the al.
aeRed disadvantages of harbor room
and depth OF water, is made to show
shat the department should never
nave ordered the three largest ships
of the navy there, the New York,
columbia and Minneapolis, on ao.
count of lack OF water for them at
she docks. While it Is true that the
awo latter are now Mt tho yard, and
when the tide goes out are resting
on the soft, muddy bottom, it Is
claimed that no more harm can be.
sall the ships than If they had TWEEN
sy fathoms under them.
For yeara the department has rec
Ognized the importance of dredging
she water front at the Portsmouth
yard in oruer that ships Of the
aargest size could approach ut any
degree Of tide, but when it is assert
ed broadly that the Columbia and
minneapolis will be injured because
ahGy touch bottom, the department
becomes naturally chagrIned and
knowing that the reports are circu.
dated by officers of the vessels, who
would rather be III New York than
ct Norfolk, steps will be taken to
ferret out the offenders, if further
criticisms come from the same
eource.
In every instance of late where o
chip has been ordered 10 Portsmouth
90 be fitted for sea service rumors
aave Immediately followed with the
evident desired effect of producing
npon the minds OF tue Washiugtou
Officials an impression that the ward
WINS not mp to the standard oil the
efficiency Of the New YORK. yard, and
that work could be facilitated by or
dering the vessel or vessels In uuas
zion TO the more desirable station
North. The Department is alive
now TO the situation and does not
propose to be browbeaten further,
and hereafter the Portsmouth yard
will share equally the work Of con.
strnctlon rs well as repairs to oil
wnrshIps.
Tine facilities at Portsmouth sre
claimed to be equal 10 those at
New York, aud the work produced
probably better. The Fl CURES re-
Gently gwen showing the res pectivo
cost of building the Cincinnati at
Sew York aud the Raleigh at
PORTSMOUTH, both sister Ships,
demonstrated that tue Raleigh was
Much the cheaper ship, and the
aends of the bureau here assert that
che will probably prove better
vessel OF the two on her forthcoming
.est of speed. Notwithstanding the
latile attempts Dnde to have the
solumbia and Minneapolis sent
6ack to New York, they will remain
ct Portsmouth until Adm.
sleade's fleet is ready to Gail on the
~ est Indian cruise"