The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-23
A GUARANTEES.
sxA1rr.x. THURSDAY. APRIL 3
THE NAVAL DRY DOCK.

The opening of the naval dry dock At
Port Orchard is an event Of national I'm
portance. It gives to the entire Pacific
coast 4 base from which to operate the
feet in case OF a war which should invite
attack on this side Of the country. The
presence Of ironclads On the seaboard or
on the Sound would be robbed OF half its
value II, in case Of disablement. there were
no harbor Of refuge for repairs. Any at
task upon the Coast north OF San San
cisco would be made from inland waters
No damage could b done to Portland.
Olympia, Tacoma or Seattle from the
ocean. An enemy would either sail up
the Columbia or into the Sound. Forum
ateiy for the Oregon metropolis. nature
has afforded measure Of protection. for
no man-of-war would risk the hazard OF
o swift flowing river under such condi-
lions as those which abound In the lower
Columbia The attack would be made
upon the Sound cities. but for many years
their relative importance would not call
for the presence In Sound waters Of more
than two or three vessels of war at the
same time. By having safe place Of re-
treat In case OF damage. our defense would
BE- ample with no greater number Of war
vessels. because the greater distance OF
foreign warshIp from Its base Of supplies
renewal OF q fray.
The advantages OF the dock will be best
shown. 1t is to be hoped. In time Of peace.
The government will. Of course, equip the
dock SO that 1t can accommodate private
merchantmen, and Puget sound with a
marine dock as fine as any In the world
viii possess for the mercantile marine
an attraction which will be computed In
dollars and cents and TO that extent tend
to lower freight rates.
Depressed as people have been for two
or three years It seems to them that the
future looks dark: but II Is not 50. The
return to normal conditions OF trade is
absolutely assured. and In a few years
Seattle win be a populous place. its har-
Dor filed with vessels. and Its granaries.
mines and mills pouring out their pro-
ducts to send abroad. 1t will be q steady
growth. fostered by development OF natu-
raj resources and their marketing to other
ports.
The people OF Seattle hardly yet appre-
ciate tho Importance OF this institution.
In the vicinity Of the dock viii grow up
large population drawn by the Industries
correlated to q great naval station and
shtpyard. all of them employing labor.
helping to foster the development Of our
resources OF coal. iron. copper and lum-
Der directly. and becoming the consumers
cf all the products and mercantile commo-
dities of country and city. The ramiflca-
tons of such an Industrial center will ex-
tend all over the state.
The opening OF the naval dock. therefore.
n an Invitation to the owners OF vessels
60 seek In preference cargoes at a place
where the largest of these vessels can be
easily and expeditiousiy overhauled IL need
be. and any OF the needs created by long
voyages and stormy seas may be supplied
1t establishes Puge, sound in the minds OF
shippers as a commercial center, and not
merely as sheet of water around which
lumber may DO cut and trafflicked In as
raw material In peace We shall be pros
porous. In war protected.