The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-12-02
NEED MORE DRY DOCKS.
Importance Of Better Docking Fa-
CilitieS Pointed Out.

Importance Oh 6GIleT OoCklIR I'd
cilities Pointed Out.
Washington, d. C.-(Special.)-In his
annual report to the secretary Of the
navy, Chief Endicott of the bureau of
yards and docks makes a strong point
of the necessity for ample docking ia
c%ilities, not only for small vessels, but
for the battleships upon waters near
Key West. He said this place was
during the war. and may be in the fu-
ture, an important base of naval oper-
atoms, able strategists having pro-
nounced Key West and Dry Tortugas
the key to the Gulf of Mexico.
The small showing we make in dock
accommodations is very marked as
COMPARED with the other nava powers
of the world, and although the expend-
iturea for dry docks in the United States
viii: be large in the next few years,
Chief Endicott says he cannot fail to
ask a continuance of the liberal policy
in this particular until the country is
well fitted for handling it's fleet in the
dock yards without compelling vessels
to perform long sea voyages to each
decking port.
The estimates submitted for the next
year provide for only one new dock,
which is to be Of the largest type, con-
structed Of granite and concrete, and
located at the Norfolk navy yard.
Under the head of coaling stations the
report tells what has been lone toward
establishing such a station 1T Page
Page, on the island of Tutua, Samoa,
showing that the United States has ac-
qulred fifteen acres of land at SWIM
ming Point and Observatory Point, and
has contracted for a steel pier, coal
shed and other improvements necessary
to store 5000 tons of oal and other sup
Plies.
The report states that the United
States has come into possession of the
port of a Juan, Of a naval arsenal,
founded in the year 1900, containing a
number of substantial concrete build
ings n three good piers. The total
value of the buildings and arsenals and
grounds is about 500, 900, and it has
been erected into a United States naval
station.
The estimates Of the various navy
yards for the next fiscal years are as
follows: Portsmouth, N. H., 1906, 900;
Boston, Mass, 1857 900; New London,
Conn.,, s25, 900; New York. 1912, 900;
League Island, Pa, $775,976; Washing
ton, D. c., $205, 900; Norfolk, Va, 81, 0Oo.-
900 ($1, 500, 900 being for a new dock; Port
Royal, S. c., $145. 900; Key West, SIP, $50;
Mare Island, 1851, $50; Puget Sound,
$50. 500.
Treating of this last station, Puget
Sound, Chief Endicott says that if it be
important to equip a first-class naval
station in tina Vicinity, a new site
should be selected. for the present has
none of the desiderata of a good naval
station. There is no nearby population
to draw upon for skilled labor; no
available market and no direct rail?
road connection with a trunk line. Un-
der these conditions it is said to be
doubtful if it be wise to build up a
large station at this point.
The report also comments pom the
fact that no battleships or heavy
draught cruisers have yet approached
the wharves at Mare Island, and says
it remains to be demonstrated that this
precise location as a navy yard was a
fortunate one. Attention is called to
the fact that the Oregon was compelled
to GO 800 miles north of Puget Sound to
be locked. While the government could
construct the amplest dock facilities
on San Francisco bay, this would be 450
miles north of the southern boundary
of the United States, where it is quite
as important to ave a naval station
as On the northern boundary at Puget
Sound. Therefore, it is recommended
THAI a board of experienced officers be
directed to give attention to the estab-
lishment of such a station near the
southern limits Of the Pacific coast.
The total estimates Of the bureau for
the next fiscal year aggregate $6,347, 421.
LARGEST IN THE WORLD.
New Battle Ship Successfully
r. ~--A