The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-22
FORT ORCHARD 4 MISTAKE.
Proper Location for Naval station
Is Lake WRshingfon.

- Atts E-~itoi an your Issue OF the 18Th
INST yea publish the recommendations OF
sa.sI Lndicott, OF the bureau Of yards and
tiot ~, relative 10 the Port Orchard dry
cog ana naval station. Endieott says:
VI o0eFafe facilities are Haiua Bile at this
station. but II Ii be important that this
country equip a frst-class naval station or
y&fo ~ tnis vicinity. near the limit Of its
boundary. which the bureau believes. then
3uo11sf site should be sought which COM
Dimes the essential requirements OF such
yafa "a nearby population, supplying
enough skilled labor. a market with sup
pies conveniently and quickly available
and direct railroad connection with a trunk
Inc fer quick and economical transp orta
ton Of material
he present site possesses none OF these
dssiderata, The nearest city OF consider
able size Is fifteen miles away. Commu-
hbcduon with the rest OF the world is by
water carriage over this distance. ard the
little work done az the station has been
oone under disadvantages. When naval
vessel has been locked and repaired
skilled men have been supplied and trans
ported az great expense from the Mare
Island yard. Under these conditions IL .s
doubtful IL Ii Is wise 20 build up Il very
large establishment at this station pro-
vide Tor more taan docking and slight re-
pairs. unless no suitable site near one Of
the large cities and railroad communica-
ton can he had"
THIS IS simply a clear statement of facts,
anu SHOWS That the navy department IS At
last becoming aware Of the fact that a
great mistake has been made in the loca-
ton OF this dry deck and naval station.
Chief Endic0tt might have added that
this dry dock and naval station could az
vel have been located in the open sea- so
Tar as defense s. concerned. unless IL is
proposed 20 erect 9efenSes for il alone or
employ The navy itself for that purpose. \
great mistake has been made, for which
our bohemian delegations in congress are
largely responsible
The original and true proposition was 10
locate this dry dock and naval station in
Lake Washington. and there Is where i,
VIII in the end be located On the shores
and in the bays 0f that large body OF fresh
water are several IDEAL locations, possess
Ing al the conditions required, and any
enc Of these sites can be acquired at small
cast
| exclude Salmon bay ana Lake Union as
proper sites. on account OF theiE location,
and because The surrounding settlement
ana occupation, both far residence and
business purposes. makes the cost prohibit
tive As wei as on account OF The very SUI
perior advantages az Lake Washington.
Tie navy department has also learned
that Lakes Union and Washington are
fer ravy purposes. which they are so earn
estiy seeking. and that nature here pre-
SCENTS such basins As pesfec; as could be
made 10 order AT any cost.
Congress has appropriated ST., go FOR
ship canal 70 connect our salt water har-
h0r vita the fresh water harhors OF Lakes
Union and Washington. and by concert e
acton between the war ana navy depart
ments this canal Is 70 be made large
enough 10 accommodate the largest ves-
Seis o. the navy. we'll the smallest
or the merchant marine.
II only remains for orr delegation in con-
gress 10 become educated Up 10 the require
iuentS Of the situation. and then properly
exert themselves ia order to accomplish
the desired result
Lake washington should. and 40 doubt
will, re lowered to level with Lake Union
rot only IN tho interest OF commerce ard
navigation. hui also in the inferes. OF agrt-
culture. by preventing GYerflpRs and re-
claiming valuable lands
The dry dock at Port Orchard need not
enf ~iH rot b. abandoned. AT least until
the csn1t S. completed. ana another deck
constructed A. Lake Washington.
According 20 thu statement III your issue
81 Jse l4ia Inst. only So 80 has been Cx-
pended 50 FAR ~ the construction and
equipment 90 thts trydock and naval sta
ton I'd I agree fully With Chief E,ndieatt
perl'fed as may he necessary fer the use
90 ;he 3ryiock "a long As II S. needed.
II is irUe Cbigf FsnGlcott asks an apprO~
pr5ati5n OF SSH t.yi "a. yaa Mare Island navy
yard bat ! see no cause for jealousy "
alarm ln that rts o8lmendIt5on, any more
Port Orchard sry3oCk - Gk hRroor.
a navy ward ana naval station Is needed
both AZ san Francisco ard Seattle sS they
are SO fui;gs ass3rt- Win foIr trssrscon-
tjuantai railroads and more coming. as
Wei. sarge ana r3a3t.y Increasing
.ceau trade AMI commerce. * seems - m
:hat We ured no. trouble ourselves about
nav Il stations elsewhere.
Nbs5 Seattle ccedS am Reeds most -
the speedy CoEStf8ct11n os th3s canal aFli
thls s-e acc-fDp. shei. and the location ard
construction ~ naval station IN Lake
NssnivrtGu follows as curtain As oay fol-
io@s uskht JOHN J AGTLNRA