The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-07

4
and the storehouse. should be completed
within two months. Next to 20 up will be
the barracks and additional quarters. con-
tracts for which have Just been let After
these will come the erection Of a steam en-
cheering shop and boiler. which I think
VII: be placed on the west side OF the dock
In a corresponding position to the construc-
ton shops on the other side. Then we must
have telesraphic and te,ephonic comnuni-
cation with Seattle. which really ought TO
have been established long ago think the
failure TO give Us an appropriation to COW
or this has resulted IN a loss of far more
than IL would have cost. as for instance
in the delay OF the Oregon in obtaining her
supply of coal. In case of any critical sit
uation our isolation would be iHexcasable.
We should have a line direct to Washing
ton.
'Our water system must be extended so
as 10 afford protection against fire. At
present we have no such protection. The
estimate which I have submitted VIII liz
ciude the putting IN OF necessary hydrants.
''Our plans for a quay wall ara perhaps
more unsettled than any other. This is on
account OF tho fact that there haze been
some disposition 10 urge the 1itlSing or
temporary pier OF pillng at a smallar ex-
pense. This am averae to. am IN favor
OF building permanently where we know
permanency will be required. Tho csti-
mates which have submitted for the tiS-
cal year 1891 are these.
Electric light plant. So 500: extension %
water system sioa: steam cznstans for
dry dock s.s25: steasn engineering shop
and boiler house $500. fencing shout sta-
sis.ae: yard scow $500: oil housS, 81, 30;
dredging. $50 100. establishing telegranstc
communication. $4,000; cuaS wall. S-5.0D.
Advantages Over Marc vsIaHA
NE" continued the commandant, IN an
swer 10 a question. 'I do not think the re-
cent disaster at Mare Island viii have the
si!ghses, effect one way or the otser en- the
future Of this station. ] don't see how it
could. To begin with. the destruction at
Mare Island was comparatively small. and
IL will be at once and effectively repaired.
Mare Island is a permanency.
Whatever is In store for the paget sound
naval station vii! come from Its own nat
prai advantages which think arc many
and great. or these II is necessary only
10 mention the fact that II Il absolutely
land-iocked and the water Is always
smooth. II possesss. an incalcuiahie adj
vantage over Mare Island in the fact that
We have here a sufficient depth OF water
for our largest vessels, while Mare Island
has not The big vessels cannot get within
miles OF the Mare Island yard. II would
cos; 800 u0a 10 put one OF our ha.tleshlrs
into the station there 10 say nothing Of
docking her. And the dredging wou.3 have
} n ne kept up continuously. Here We have
deen water right up TO the gate of the
dock
''You may rest assured tha; the Mare ISL
and peore will let nothing come shis WY
that they can keep 20 handle themselves
10 yoa suppose the Oregon would ever
have come here 20 dock II IL had nos been
for th. fact that we could dock her. while
Mare Island could not? The station at
Mare Island has been longer established.
is NOR. completely equipped and naturally
has greater influence. As We get more
eomp,eie equipment here and the savau-
tages OF the position Become more Ssacr-
ally understood ;hIS station will OF caGrse
exercise more influence
tse OF the pn0S.
Thus far the dryaock has hcsn In actual
use sixe tines. Tha, Is. there have been
five aocsiags although only four vessels
have been locked. The bat,leSaip oregon
having catered twiee. The formal open
ing ~ the deck, as readers 81 the Post
Iafe. geneer NIL remember, was on April
- 1855. when the csass defense monitor
Monterey broke the hiue ribbon stretched
across the mouth Of the dock and gtsdesi
gracefully snio the huge receptacle, where
she remained nearly TIVE weeks During
this time the dock. together with the
pumping plant. tho caisson ard all ether
appurs enanes9. underwent thorough
and rigid test .. could be desired by a
competent board Of judges and inspect
ors. The tess Vas satisfactory n every
respect. and resulted In ,he acceptance
81 tae dock by the government
The next vesses 10 take advantage Of
the facilities thus afforded was a foreign
er, the Nippon Yusen kAssha steamer
Yamaxuchs Nasu, watch entered IN oeic-
her . INV. and left the dock eight days
lassr TnFn came the orsson. Her dock
tgg w2s locked forward 10 with much iIi-
fsySsf ia naval and marine e.re.es Aa-
cause good Judges OF svcn matters real
tssd thai the test would be q severe enc
The Oregon passsa the gate successfully
on Apr. y 1881. and emerged sweasy-six
days later III good condition and with the
deck anharmed. II was followed by the
merchant vessel Portland. - osDssnbas