The evening times., 1898-05-11
DOCKS FOR THE NAVY.
They Are to BE Constructed Within
Three Years.

Secretary Long has decided to construct
at Boston a concrete dry dock and tim
ber dry docks at Portsmouth, League ISL
and and Mare Island. Civil Engineer NJ.
e. Endicott, chief OF the Bureau Of Yards
and Docks, has been directed to prepare
as rapidly as possible the plans for the
four docks and the specifications for the
eteel floating dock. which is to be sta
toned at Algiers. La. In locating the
concrete dock at Boston. the Secretary
has disappointed a number of the friends
Of League Island, Portsmouth and Mare
Island, who wanted the concrete instead
of the timber dock.
On account of the grea; amount of work
consequent upon the preparation of plans
1t will not be possible for the advertise
ments to be published under three months.
The Boston dry docks will be 100 feet long
and tflirty-five feet in depth, and the tim
Der docks will be $50 feet in length, and
of about the same depth. The depart
ment will require their completion with
in three years. The great length and
depth of the docks Mr.. Endicott has de-
termined upon because of the possibility
of longer steamships which will ne avail
able for use as auxiliary cruisers being
added II the merchant service within the
next few Years.
In order t. determine the sites upon
which the docks will be built. it was
learned that Civil Engineer Endicott pro-
poses TO recommend 10 Secretary Long
that a board be appointed to inspect the
yards at Boston, Portsmouth League
Island ard Mare Island and 20 report to
the department. Mr.. Endicott appreciat-
ing the Importance of having the struct-
ures placed on solid founda tions may also
make an inspection of the several yards
Anticipating the early passage of the
bill making appropriations for meeting
urgent deficiencies in the Navy. the de-
partment has made all arrangements for
the purchase OF two floating dry docks
and sending them to Pensacola and Mo-
Ne. Reports received from the blockad-
Tdg squadron show that The vessels are
Sacoming very foul, and that it will be
;scessary to dock some of them in the
Iear future. The dry docks to be pur-
chased are capable of accommodating
ships up to 3,5eo tons displacement. which
will be large enough to take care of at
least 40 per cent of the ships of the North
Atlantic squadron. The department is
very anxious to get these docks as quick
ly as possible, in order that they may be
available for immediate service.
As an indication of the cost of the war
: day by Naval Constructor Hichborn are
instructive. The chief CONSTRUCTOR has
received reports from the experimenting
constructors at the various yards giving
an account of the expenses incurred dur
ing April. The construc ion departments
alone paid out in labor, material. etc.
81, $50. COO. and Mr.. Hichborn does not see
that there is any chance of lessenine
these figures. The work done consisted
of converting merchant steamers into
auxiliary cruisers, and of making repairs
to men-of-war.
Secretary Long has issued orders as
signing Lieut.. G. l.. Dyer. formerly ma
val attache in Madrid, to the office of
Naval Intelligence. Lieut. Over return
ed to Washington yesterday from Spain
and at once conferred with Secretary
Long and members of the naval war
board concerning the condition of tho
Spanish navy. and he will prepare long
report of the defenses of Spain while on
duty In the Naval Intelligence Office
The report is current in naval circles
that Lieut.. Dyer's information shows
that the Spaniards are possessed of but
little powder for the big guns of their
men-of-war. and that powder cannot he
manufactured in Spain. His information
Will be of great value 10 the department
and to the war board. and will probabJv
guide Rear Admiral Sicard's organization
not little in the plan of campaign to
be conducted