The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-29
CoALING STATIONS NEEDED.
Our Navy Would Have to Stay at Home
If We Were at War.

Washington City. April 2S-The recent
experience OF Admiral Meade in his
cruise with squadron through the
waters OF the Gulf OF Mexico and the
Caribbean sea has served TO again at
tract the attention Of the officials OF the
navy DEPARTMENT 10 the necessity OF &C
curing At least one or two coaIing sta
tioIs IN these waters for the use OF the
navy Although the cruise lasted only
few weeks. the difficulty OF procuring a
safiicient supply OF coal at different points
ana al d reasonable price has strikingly
Indicated the trouble that may be expect
ed wnen II shall be necessary to main
tain for long pc .fod OF time or perhaps
permanently. a number OF cruising gun
boats IN these waters. Such a contin-
gency is being prepared for by the con-
struction of number OF boats calculated
for just such service The sources OF
coal supply in that section are at present
largely In British possession. The price
Is always high in some ports. but il Is
very much higher in others. being known
to reach 6i5o per ton AT Colon. Now that
the navy has rid itself almost entirely of
sail power and the ships rely altogether
on steam, the amount OF money expended
tn coal is assuming formidable proper
tons, and the navy officials are using all
their ingenuity 10 keep down this expense
without injury to the service. Perhaps
Tor this reason number of officers who
mad not regarded favorably the PROPOSE
ton 10 establish coaling stations outside
OF the United States are now becoming
convinced such plan would be decidedly
In the interest OF economy.
In the case OF Admiral Meade's cruise
TO prevent the payment OF exorbitant
charges for coal the navy adopted the
plan OF contracting with an American
firm TO deliver coal alongside .he vessels
OF the squadron at some OF the ports.
This plan worked well within certain
limits, and a considerable economy was
effected. But there were grave objec-
tons 10 the adoption OF such a plan a
permanently. Ii requires the arrange
ments of the movements of vessels Of the
squadron with great exactness a long
time In advance, and this would be quite
impossible In times OF trouble. lust when
the ships are required to be well supplied
with coal 80 as to make sudden move
ments. There is also reason TO believe
that while no objection has yet been
made TO this experiment. the nations own
ing the ports where the coal is trans
ferred TO our cruisers will not permit the
practice to continue without the collec-
ton of heavy duties on coal. and up 10
this time no thoroughly satisfactory
method has been found by which the coal
can be trans-shipped on the open sea.
But aside from these purely economical
reason for the establishment of coaling
stations stronger one IS found. In the
time OF war. under the neutrality laws.
our ships would be excluded from the
privilege of coaling in foreign ports, and
would thus be absolutely prevented from
hostile operations II they did not fall easy
victims to an enemy better equipped with
bases OF coal supply. 1t Is said by naval
officers that the common belief that these
coal stations would be very expensive TO
acquire and would be required 10 be
stronly fortified TO defend them, also at
great expense. is without real foundation.
Some OF these officers who have been CIV
ing great attention to the subject are con-
fdent that United States could readily
arrange for the acquisition OF coaling
stations from almost any OF the countries
along the Gulf OF Mexico or the Caribbean
sea at a nominal price. Nothing in the
way of equipment Is necessary except
landing wharf, and the services OF one
man 10 watch the place would sufilce.
In case of war. IL the station was near
enough to the scene of hostilties 10 hc
necessary. II could he protected by the
very shlps that would be required TO use the
coal IL Il was distant from the scene
and not necessary TO the service at that
time. II could be left to take its chances,
for the enemy would scarcely find IL pro-
ftabla TO send ships to capture coal
pile which could be readily replenished at
any convenient time II is said Secretary
Herbert is giving this subject much at
tention. and that when congress meets
again he may recommend 10 that body That
this government be clothed with the neces-
sary power 70 acquire suitable sites for
eoaling stations,