The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-20

Lake Union and In q few hours Be saaesy
moored in . fresh water basin
Condition D-To Be within the limits 9.
q large manufacturing center where skilled
labor may be had at ali times.
This condition Is fulfilled In every rspecl.
The natural surroundings of Lake Cnion
offer all OF the necessary features ios -
location of = repair statsE 81 the hssl
order.
On the southeast border cf this lake, a;
the outlet Of the canal, the necessary plan.
could be located for all repairs connecteo
with ships laid up IN reserve. Greater con,
venIences exist for the delivery OF al
material required. as a siding could oe ex-
tended from the EasL line o. raiireaa, uy
whlca cars would deliver material alrs5s
within a station siorehouse, from winch
distribution could be made to the SHIPS
ard Puget sound naval station as required
Skilled labor would be available. as less
minutes walk brings one within the neaft
Of tire city Mechanics would naturally
center about this point, and the maiateh-
ance OF a working force could Dc easAy
naval station, which is isolated from rail
communications, skilled mechanics near
large business centers cannot be induced
TO leave their homes and take UP new
The following principal features OF
canal suitable for all requirements con,
nected with the transfer OF cattlesAips VIII
have 10 be observed when viewed from
nautical standpoint:
l. Depth CT water in canal TO De not
less than 30 feet.
2 Width at bottom 10 be not less than
$50 feet. A greater width would have 10
be considered should the mldcle nle OF
the canal form curve.
3 One bank OF the canal 10 be graded
and fitted with electric motor power for
towing purposes, and projecting towing
cranes in order to insure perfect safety
from contact OF bilge keeisons with the
sides of the canal.
l. Censering buoys will have TO be placed
at the entrance to the canal 10 prepare and
line ships for entering, and all steamers
VIII have to haul fires and discharge ashes
before entrance or being taken In tow by
towing motor. The facilities for lining
up ship or pointing the same for en-
trance and towing viii be one OF the most
important features. 1t is problem which
conditions Of weather and tides that retard
or facilitate such an enterprise. This
possesses practical feature of handling
large and costly batteshps which cannot
be lightly considered. in order to meet the
full approval of naval authorities. / am
speaking from a practical standpoint and
long period OF experience In this line. and
from the Standpoint OF an engineer and
constructor
5. The entrance level to the canal will
have TO take the features somewhat of an
enlarged wet basin In its approaches. and
ngniing towers on the extrem!ties OF the
funnel-shaped piers will have to be located,
the one on the right hand entrance facing
the same to be green light, that On the
left 10 be red light
These are few OF the principal features.
the details OF which are not required at this
stage OF the argument, neither must they
be neglected IN the same.
Puget sound can be entered with perfect
safety under all conditions of wind and
weather. and vessels once within the Strait
OF Juan de Flca are protected from heavy
outside gales and seas. and can proceed at
Will 10 any port within The Sound
This makes the Apr zach to the harbor OF
Seattle safe one at all times and under all
conditions. Heavy gales along the coast
are seldom felt, as the intervening range Of
mountains forms a natural barricade "a
high winds. and consequ ntiy makes Ia d.
locked harbor accessible under all coad!-
tons
There IS not another body Of fresh water
on this globe TO compare with Lake Union,
which is so admirably adapted and perfectly
located by nature for a basin in which the
nations OF the world could lay up fighting
ships. J. j DRAKE,
ecutive Officer, u. s. Battleship oregon.