The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-02

. lengthy report 70 the president. reviewed
carefully and logically every Site They
unanimously recommended Port Orchard
ard gave fully their reasons therefor. Ow-
ing TO the opposition % the Oregon sena-
TORS second commission was appointed.
Hon. Richard Tlou pson, OF Indiana, FORM
eriy the secretary OF the navy during Presi-
dent Hayes administration. was a MEM
Der. Hon O. r. Plat, United States eera-
tor from Connecticut, was another. Also
Rear admiral Thomas Selfridge. L. S. N.
recently in command OF the European sta
ton. Lieut.. A. y. Wyokofy. U. S. N. who
was afterwards commandant OF the sta
ton: Col. MendelI, L. :. A, then chief Of
engineers of the Pacific coast These five
gentlemen, after another careful examln-
alton OF the waters Of Oregon and Wash
ington. Ia a long and logical report. again
unanimously recommended Port Orchard
as the best site in the northwest for the
location Of naval station.
Congress and the public can
form an opinion very clearly ~
to which should have the most
weight the logical reasonings
the hastily written criticism Of
their action by Commodore En-
dfcott.
The two naval commissions stated In
the!f reports that the Port Orchard Ioca-
ton WAS perfectly defensibie by fortihca-
tons at Admiralty head and at both en-
frances to Port Orchard. and by sub
marine mines and torpedoes at these en-
frances; that the southern entrance would
safely admit the largest battlesh!ps at any
stage OF tide: that the land-locked bay off
the station offered secure anchorage with
excellent holding ground for all the
fleets Of the world; that ii was q disad-
vantage to have navy yard In or near
"a large city. as exemplified at Boston,
Brooklyn and Philadelphia, and at Port
Orchard men could be obtained over night
from Seattle or Tacoma: that the site 1T
self was admirable. Offering sufficienEievel
GROUND with solid foundations. just above
high Tide. for all docks. shops. storehouses,
etc, while there was higher ground for
residences, marine barracks and hospital;
that railroad would no doubt be built
Gown the kitsap peninsula, connecting
with the transcontinental roads They
also referred TO the heaithfuiness OF the
location. the genial climate allowing out
door work the year round the proximity
OF lumber. coal and building stone: the fu-
ture development OF the Puget sound coun-
try and many other forcibIe reasons for
the present location.
Lieut.. Wyckoff purchased the 200 acres
comprising the present station, and To-
Gated the site of the dry dock after nu-
merous borngs. The perfect success OF
the dock justiiies his judgment.
In conclusion. ii Is evident that Commo-
dore Endicott's criticisms of the location
OF the station Were written without local
knowledge. Seattle and Tacoma offer as
many skilled mechanics as the station
could possibly employ. and before the gov
eminent can develop a ful-fedged navy
yard Puget sound will have a greater pop
ulation than San Francisco. and her COM
merce vii! be several times as large A
ferry boat In an hour will take all the
mechanics required from Seattle. although
Il Is probable many skilled men will re-
side in the towns adjacent to the station
when the amount OF government work at
tracts them. The railroad he desires will
be constructed within the next two or three
years, long before there will be any large
amount of transconiinental freight 10 be
delivered there.
The citizens OF Seattle should extend a
warm invitation 10 Commodore Endlcott
To COME out and get acquainted with the
local conditions before he writes his next
annual report. And our senators and rep
reseutstivcs in congress should also visit
the station. mako themselves familiar with
lis advantages and put in some of the
time now spent IN distributing garden
seeis In trying 10 get larger appropriations
fer eur navy yard.