New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
STORY OF NAVASSA ISLAND.
. ROCK IN THE CARIBBEAN PROPOSED
FOR cOALING STATION.

NOW THE STARS AND STRIPES CAME TO FLY OVER
THE LITTLE IsI.AND-A BOARD TO EXAMINE IT.
WASHINGTON. March 20 SPECIALIZATION Senator
corman severa, days ago introduced joint resolu-
zion directing the Secretary of the Navy 10 appoint
board OF three officers proceed Navassa ISL
and In the West Indies and examine and report
upon the cost OF establishing a coang station for
the United States Government on that Island, II
was the first ntmation 10 the great majority Of the
Senate that the United States had possession Of
any sort in the Caribbean Sea. When the matter
came up in the Naval Committee not member of
that committee knew anything about the island its
1ocation or the iaci that for almost forty the
Stars and Stripes had been floating over it.
The need OF a coaling station in the West Indies
has been emphasized by the Naval Department
wear after year and for many years the Govern
r1ent has beer endeavoring TO secure foothold
there with view of establishing a station for the
convenience of its ships. Attention has been d.
rected to two points the different islands
and negotiations have been entered into with the
authorities of these islands for the purpose OF pro-
curing by purchase other form OF cession
sufficient territory which TO erect coaiing
station. These efforts have proven Intellectual and
the resolution under consideration by the COM
mittee contemplates the establishment of such
station on soil belonging to the United States.
Navassa Island The subcommittee has made an
elaborate report this island and Will submit II
10 the meeting Of the full committee next week
The resolution of Mr.. German will be agreed TO by
The committee and the preliminary investigation VIII
be authorized
The history OF Navassa Island is interesting 1t Is
evidently new TO members Of Congress and largely
so 10 naval officers themselves 1t is situated IN
latitude is degrees % minutes north ana LONGITUDE
u degrees minutes west. between the islands Of
Hayti on the east and Jamaica on the west IN the
Windward Passage Channel. and about l,3Vo miles
from New-York and 900 miles from Charleston or
Port Royal, in South Carolina. 1t is forty-fve
miles from ST. Domingo and seventy miles from
jamaica
The extreme length of the island between its
northwestern and eastern points Is two and quar-
ter miles, and its greatest width between lis north-
eastern and southeastern points is and one-third
miles: II is shaped somewhat like pear. with It's
stem 10 the west. The elevation OF the islahd
varies. at one point rising 255 feet above the sea
level and averaging about 2So feet above the ieve
on what is known the upper nat Commander
Turner Of the United States steamship Saratoga IN
q report TO the Navy Department In 1858. spoke OF
Il as being incased In iron-bound coast on every
side steep TO twelve fathoms." In landing. he SAID
I, was necessary in that day. to be hoisted from
the boat by a derrick hanging over the cni'
Nayassa Island was taken possession OF by refer
Duncan of Baltimore July 1857 and has been oc-
cuped since by virtue the Act OF Congress OF Au-
gust IL 1886 which gives protection to citizens OF the
United States who may discover deposits OF suaho.
While sailing in the Caribbean sea az the 'i"e
named Duncan discovered deposit OF guano on an
island or key in that not WITHIN the JuIisuSo'
OF any other Government and not occupied by any
one How II received the present name does not Ap
near from any of the correspondence in the hahas
OF the State Department Duncan nled MS P"peis
with Secretary Lewis Cass. in which he gave IL 'ie
name II now bears In his description duncan Say
the island is evidently of volcanic origin ana e'e-
waited about 800 feet above the surface Of the sea.
sides except for a small space on the north IL
was covered with small shrubs. beneath winch q
valuable deposit Of phosphate guasn spsmber ~
1857. and occupied the island in the name OF the
II is UNNECESSARY here to recount. the varying for;
tunes of Duncan and others to whom ne assisneee
n ns sa Df h sSGR ntsS States in usde
ton over this lone rock in the Caribbean sea m mt
aSe Fl ese EuaSo beds had proven be com
mercally valuable Emperor soSlooqIe eas oi Of he
island TO an Englishman in May. 1855 The Hayuan
Emperor claimed sovsregnS Gve WAS once the prop
erty of spain ceded by Spain 10 France France n
@ ih ,bs Of Hsy and thereby
her with perfect title the French part ana an its
ssas s ns sads fs
mass a anS eaen
he had never ceded sold or leased any OF lnese
tendencies TO any ny SHs ss %a
as ns qsSup an Hay
rrs Of s so~sre Ma over this Haytap
Government sent two ships OF war 10 me sianu an.
By force stopped the work OF the men eng 80 "a
SsNy Isaac oney
suficient force 10 the island to protect the hner,
PSsm ss 'aSHa he tGua'
force was also instructed to inform the ad
of ans Of he 'Cf
ment not allow the business OF l.s c,'a ,,h nv
citizens or authorities OF Hay, This ins.rnc'1 ion
was carried out by Comnaander Iuner C CO.
state Department informed the Haytian Gov s,a
ment thai II considered the proofs Of discovery SUN
nIent that the island when discovered was derenc'
and abandoned and that II was nov dhs setes The
troi OF the Government OF the United states. ne
Isror had been pa yed upon BY designing Ehglsn
man and that It was through TINS lhu,V.uuai go 49,
the Hayan lease had been given S aihorv Of the
United States. Since that day II mas Den ~,
quiet and undisturbed possession OF th's "o'e'"
The committee in It's report says that the Navassa
Island Phosphate Company, conposeu o. ~ for a
III. United States have s Seve erected extensive
r,harve. AT Lulu Bay. storing sheds ana ci hi
rniId,rrs Tor the convenience and cohduct OF .ne
large business in me snPme toneerapca FEATURES
Of the island. s geographical iocaaio n n az am
depth OF water along It's shinc psnd MAINTAINING
a cnal,ng station there Of any dimensions OF eH u
TENT that the Government may aecae upo. to n,n
there any obstacle TO It's successful m deened es
sentai The committee appreciaiins the grea al me
portsnce Of a Government coang s.aro ola nh Ion
West i"SS Wv and finding that one can be estaD-
ys,.d m American soil al so eigiDe poIt ~ t ~.
ra.h reversed by ships, VIII reconiie sr -,
passage OF the resolution as "'
step IN that direction.
QUEER SORT OF PROTEST.