The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-18
THE BAY OF GUANTANAMO
IT WOULD MAKE A DESIRABLE PER-
MANENr NAVAL STATION.
Best Anchorage in All the West In
dies and Capabble of Holding All
the United States Navy.
,rrespondence of the Associated Press.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
GUANTANAMO BAY, Aug. IL, on board
the United States Cruiser Brooklyn-The
dreary length of time that Uncle Sans
quaker-colored' war fleet has spent in this
bay awaiting the outcome Of peace negotia-
tons has given everybody, and especially
officers, who chafe under the inaction time
to reflect on more peaceful things than
shooting the enemy's vessels into steel frag-
ments. The officers of the North Atlantic
squadron are becoming enthusiastic over
the desirability of the United States holding
this bay as a permanent naval base 1t is
generally agreed that on our own southern
coast and in all the West Indies there is
not an anchorage that can compare with
this one Here is a bay with soft bottom,
In which an anchor finds good hold, thus
preventing chains fouling. There is a splen-
did entrance, fully mile broad, between
the hills, that protect it, and with the dan
gerous West Indian reef minimfzed to it's
destructive tendencies by being located only
on one side, to the west. The hills at the en-
trance are high enough for all purposes,
such as the placing of lighthouses and the
erection of earthwork Notifications. With
lights at the entrance there would be no
danger in entering the harbOr at night,
and, indeed, without such guide, the big
transatlantic liners came in safely the other
night. The entrance could easily be mined
for protection, and at short notice.
Once inside the harbor it's splendid facili-
ties are Immediately visible. 1t is a broad
expanse Of water of great depth and extend
ing north into the island for six miles. OF
course the extreme depth of forty-two feet
does not prevail over the entire length of
the harbor, but at this writing there are
at least twenty large vessels anchored in
the deep and well sheltered portion of the
bay and as many more could find good an
chorage. The survey made by Captain
Sumner. of the cruiser Columbia, which
was stopped in 1895 by the Spanish govern
ment, shows that there is about two and a
half square miles of anchorage of depth CT
forty-five feet or thereabouts, and far
enough inside to be protected from any
wind that may blow. There Is about two
ing twenty-four feet or less. In other words,
the great battle ships Iowa, Texas Indiana,
Oregon and Massachusetts and the cruisers
New York and Brooklyn could be anchored
in this place. while the entire remainder Of
the American navy could rest further up
the bay. The torpedo boats and smaller
boats and converted yachts could move in
any portion of the immense bay. There are
good landing points on small bays. where
dry decks could be constructed and where
coaling facilities could be established. Fresh
water is obtainabe at two places, the
mouth of the Guantanamo river, a mile
from the entrance, and the mouth of the
Caimanes river, six miles up the bay.
The remarkably healthy character of the
place is demonstrated by the entire absence
of sickness among the marines stationed
there. With proper sanitary precautions
there need be no fear of sickness. and it is
evident that sickness among, the resident
population of the cities near here is due to
the lack of sanitary precautions and the
hlthiness of the habits of the natives