The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-08
NEW PLANT FOR
NEWPORTNEWS?
Huntington in Negotiation With Wick
er's Sons and Maxim, Gunmakers
NOT AN INDEPENDENT PLANT,
Ifthc Deal is Closed Ii Will BE Opcr.
Grated in Connection With the
Shipbuilding Business-The
Facilities arc Unsurpassed

Yesterday New York sun says. Coils
=. Huntington confirmed yesterday re-
ports that the English firm OF Vickers,
sons * Maxim had been negotiating for
an interest in the Newport News ship
building establishment in which he Is a
hoavy owner. He said that the deal had
not as yet been closed. lie denied that
there was any intention Of selling the
yard outright to the English interests.
and he intimated that he would continue
20 control tho business.
81 have been in negotiation" said Mr.
Huntington. with the Messrs. Nickers.
sons d Maxim, who have thought OF
taking large interest in the plant and
OF establishing at Newport News. i'm con-
nection with the shipyard. "A very extern
sive plant for the manufacture Of guns.
IL these negotiations should be carried 90
d conclusion there would be established
al Newport News a new industry. which
would greatly benefit that city, furnish
ing work and support 20 thousands OF
people I'm addition 10 those there now.
But the yard would continue 10 be an
American enterprise as / do not propose
TO sell my holdings outright, but to retain
q large interest. 1 would Ike, however,
10 lessen my cares and responsibilities,
and let others take w and carry on the
work that / have started. Mr.. Crosley.
Mr.. Dunn and Mr. Loewe came over from
England 20 look about and while here cX-
amined my shipyard most thoroughly.
earned that they expressed themselves as
very much pleased with st. and / 90 not
see how IL could have been otherwise. Tor
not only is Newport News the best loca-
ion for great shipyard interest, bat the
Newport News plant is one OF the best
sh!p5uilding yards in the whole world.
NOT INDEPENDENT.
The proposed gun plant would not be a
separate organization IL would be con-
iucted as a part OF the general business
{ have wanted TO get those people to
AXE a large interest because | was anX-
i0us 10 see great gun manufacturing es-
enlistment put up at Newport News
md my impression IS that my English
friends will find it very greatly to their
interest to complete the negotiations.
mink too that IL will be a good thing
for our Government. The Nickers. Sons
3 Maxim are known over the whole world
or their skill and success in making great
ships and all sizes of guns. Their eX-
perience would be invaluable at New
port News and they would find there ad-
vantages which 1 do not believe can be
had anywhere else TO the same extent.
The material necessary to the manu-
facture Of guns-fuel and iron-are close
lt hand as II were. and probably more
PLENTIFUL and better in quality than can
be found In any other country IN the
world. There is no better labor than the
negro labor of old Virginia. particularly
he labor which can be obtained at New
port News and in that vicinity.
AS for the shipbuilding part Of the
proposition. ] believe we now have at
ihe head Of our various departments as
4 fol Chi
builders as there are in this or any other
country If this new element should
come into the ownership they will have
nothing 10 do In the way Of increasing
he capacity and facilities Of the Newport
News shipyard as what has been done
nd what is now under way will provide
ne yard with the most complete equip
ment for heavy and rapid work that could
be devised.
THE NEW DOCK.
eve have started our new dock. and
the work IS progressing finely. We have
liready driven, / believe. something IKE
10000 piles. and are eXcaVatlng tne
ground rapidly. There IS quite n hole
TO be dug. as YOU can understand when
you consider that the dock Is to be so
feet long. with a gate Of 100 rect, and
with 30 Ieet Of water over the Sill. Inc
granite necessary in the construction or
The new dry dock is now being cut. We
ling up a large beam shed and mill Tor
the manufacture Of the numberless brass
appliances which might be USED IN shIps,
particularly in Government vessels. we
are also putting in number OF new
ship ways. with the necessary traveiihk
cranes over them for the transportation
Of the heavy metal which must be car
rled 10 all parts Of great modern vesS.,
"Of the gentlemen connected with
Vickers, Sons & Maxim who visited the
yard Mr. Crosley is a man of large means
and great experience in the building OF
ships. Mr. Dunn probably stands at the
very head Of naval experts. having been
chief Constructor 10 the British Adinl-
ralty. / am informed that in the interest
Of his Government he has also personally
inspected all of the battleships when
have been built for the British navy our
ing the last thirty years. II their firm
should conclude to take hold hold Of 20 t ms
establishment which | have carried so l1r
along Of Newport News. # hardly needs
NV assurance that the business OF the
future which will be done there IN the
.av Of manufacturing ships and guns
will he on the largest and most complete