Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-11-19
YARDS AND DOCKS
Chief EndicOtt Makes Ills Annual
Report to the Secretary
OF the Navy.
We NEED MORE DOCKING FACILITIES.
Should Be Placed at Key West and Dry
Tortugas, the Key to the
Gulf of Mexico.
coshnG station Established at Pago Pago
The Port of San Juan, Porto Il CO.
Estimates for the Various Navy
Yards for Next Year.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1s.-In his annual
report to the secretary of the navy,
Chief Endicott, of the bureau of wards
and docks, makes strong point of the
necessity for ample docking facilities,
not only for small vessels but for the
battle ships upon waters near Key
West. He said this place was, during
the war and may be in the future. an
important base of naval opera
tions, able strategists having pro-
nouncd Key West and Dry
Tortugas the key of the
Gulf of Mexico. The small showing
we make in dock accommodations is
very marked as compared with the
other naval powers of the world and
although the expenditures for dry
docks by the United States will be
large in the next few years, Chief En-
dicott says he can not fail to
ask continuance of the lib
eral policy in this particular
until the country is well fitted for
handling its fleet in the dock yards
without compelling vessels to perform
ong sea voyages to reach docking
ports The estimates submitted for
the next year provide for only one new
dock, which is to be of the largest
type, constructed of granite and con-
crete, and located at the Norfolk navy
yard.
Under the head of coaling stations
the report tells what has been done
toward establishing such a station at
Pago Pago, on the island of Tutuila,
Samoa, showing that the United States
has acquired Is acres of land at Swim
ming point and Observatory point, and
has contracted for steel pier, coal
shed and other improvements neces-
sary to store 5000 tons of coal and
other supplies.
The report states that the United
States has come into possession of the
port of San Juan, of naval arsenal,
founded in the year 1900, containing
of substantial concrete build
ings and three good piers. The total
value of the buildings and arsenals
and grounds is about 500. 900, and it
has been erected into United States
naval station.
The estimates of the various navy
yards for the next fiscal year are as
follows:
Portsmouth, N. H., $500, OOO Boston,
Mass, 1857, 900: New London, Ct, S25.-
600; New York, S612, OG2; League Island, !
Pa, S1155, 5,97G; Washington, D. c., $685.
900; Norfolk, Va. 1900, 900 Isl, SOC, 900 |
being for a new docl1); Port Royal, S. |
G.. sl45, 900; Key West, Sl12,52O; Mare
Island, Ss51, $50: Puget sound, S53.5OO.
Treating OF this last station, Puget
sound, Chief Endicott says that if it
be important to equip a first class naval
station in that vicinity, new site
should be selected, for the present has
none of desiderata of good naval sta
-ion. There is no nearby population
20 draw upon for skilled labor; no avail
able market and no direct railroad con-
aection with trunk line. Under these
it is said to be doubtful if
t be wise to build up a large station
1T this point. The report also COM
nents upon the fact that no battle
ships or heavy draught cruiser has yet
approached the wharvcs at Mare Is
and and says it remains to be dem
onstrated that this precise loca-
ton as a navy yard was a fortunate
one. Attention is called to the fact
that the Oregon was compelled to go
500 miles north of Puget sound to be
docked. While the government could
construct the amplest dock facilities
on san Francisco bay, this would still
be $50 miles north of the southern
boundary of the United States,
where it is quite as important to have
a naval station as on the northern
boundary at Puget sound. Therefore,
It Is recommended that board of ex-
perienced officers be directed to give
attention to the establishment of such
A station near the southern limits of
,he Pacific coast.
The total estimates of the bureau for
he next fiscal year aggregate S6,347,-
2l.
Enlisting Chinese Soldiers