New-York tribune., 1898-11-21
nLR N4TION1L DRIUOChN.

The history Of our naval drydocks as given
IN our news columns to-day. is worthy OF eS-
necjal attention. not only from the student OF
naval affairs and from the great body OF our
nconlc who have keen interest in all tha'
concerns orr gallant fleet. but from the iaN-
novers' standpoint as we'll II would appear
that in recent wears there has been wide de-
partnre from the cound policy Of that early
time when in It's docks the Nation would ac-
cont only the most worthy and stable construc-
tion. Colonel Loammi Baldwin. the pioneer in
1hiS work has gone long since 10 his rest. Dul
the noble structures which he created III the
stone docks at Norfolk and Boston still stand
enduring and unchanged. fitting monuments 10
his ccnIus and 10 the wisdom of the naval au-
thoritjcs OF his time. Begun in lS2i they INK
the days Of Decatur with the closing years OF
the century For two generations they nave
bcon in constant service. and within the hin'
jtations Of their size they give promise OF use
fitness for centuries 10 come
Those practically changcleSS structures ma
M counterpart in the flinsy. tmbcr-veneered
excavations which Congress. affected ny con-
sdcrations of mere cheapncsS. has authorized
IN rocont vcors whose construction is in def
oncc of the hest engineering practice in me
Initod STATES and abroad. and who's" record
has hcon one of constant anxiety TO our naVai
authorities. Of steady expenditure for repairs
and of NOT a few actual or threatened disaS-
,ors IN rho docks themselves or 10 ships Sc
cured within them.
rho ovnondturc of nearly 100000 in about
tcn wears in repairs to three Of these timber
structures. the eminent danger TO the pa''e-
shin Massachusetts while lying in one of item
tl,. 1,aff fle-s
IN foreign territory owing to the wretched con-
dition of the wooden dock which should nave
received her the constant apprehension as 10
the timber dock At Port Royal the c'aseeSs
leaking Of that at League iSiand- all "i 'h'SV
are facts which should arouse the attention ol
Congress and which should halt at once poi-
lev that would appear already to have gone 100
FAR II would seem. indeed Il measure "i "lS'
economy for Congress TO revoke the icslSii'oh
Of its last session for four timber docks now
hcing designed under protest by the haNai
civil engineers. and to authorize new contracts
for stone structures.
Puhlic works. especially those erected by the
Nation. should he Of tho most stable ana
normancut character No Government should
build for it's day only. There is in snch con-
s,ruc;ion no place for cheap and meretriclouS
work. Economy. like charity. maf cover many
sins Especially is worthy workmanship essen
tial in a drydock. since. in addition to lis own
cost il may hold at any time pa''ie-ShP
valued at millions Of dollars. Wh'ch ma! pe
practically wrecked by the failure OF 'he uoch
AZ \ critical moment. such posSlnle loss oi
National property. attended. as may ne ny ''ia'
of many human lives is sufficient ground for
q strenuous inslstence upon the best IN do'K
construction that is attainable.
The Secretary Of the Navy. with the strong
conmop-ecnsc which has marked his admins
tratjon throughout. strove in vain to nave ouT
now docks built Of masonry. opposed II
would appear, 10y would-pe coh'rac'orS' |"
il is strange TO note-som of his own subordl-
na,os. and hy certain Congressional Influences
his ofort failed. II is TO be hoped tina, al this
session of Congress II will he in some form
renewed. and that IN enlightened public S'nti-
mont will so support it ~ to bring success.