The sun., 1898-11-18
BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS
Chief Engineer Endicott's Report-Mors
Room Needed in Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Chief Engineer Endicott's Report-Mors
Room Needed in Brooklyn Navy Yard.
WASHINGTON. Nov. ia great deal OF in
formation about the construction OF the new
dry docks authorized by Congress and the es-
tablishment Of coaling stations at home and
abroad Is contained In the annual report OF
Civil Engineer Mordecai T. Endicott. Chief Of
the Naval Bureau of Yards and Docks. Just
submitted to the Secretary of the Navy He
calls attention to the Inadequate docking IA
cilities Of the United States in the war with
Spain. and emphasizes the seriousness OF the
situation that would have confronted the navy
IL the war had not ended so soon. even had tho
warships escaped so easily as they did while
hostilities were In progress. He says:
THE naval establishment upon the Cult
coast will be deficient in this most essential
particular un III the best docking facilities are
80 provided. and 1t is considered of the highest
Importance that careful study be Rivon to the
subject to determine some point at which
they shall be permanently established. Had
the war with Spain continued many months
more. the absence OF docking facilities in
these waters would have been most seriously
felt, and the failure to possess such migh'. in a
more prolonged war. seriously affect its for
tunes. Tho docking facilities OF our navy,
Notwithstanding those recently provided for
by Congress. will be only moderate in extent
and with very extensive coast line It shoud
be the policy to establish at several OF tho
most important waters ample provisions for
handling large feet for repairs with great
expedition"
Tho report shows that the Dry Tortugas
coaling station established during the war;
will be retained permanently. Contracts for
erecting proper buildings and docks and i'm
proved hoisting machinery were made but
little had teen done up to the end OF the fiscal
year.
Congress at ita last session made an appro-
priation OF $250.000 to establish depots for
coal. and under this and other appropriations
upon the United States properly at PaGq Page.
and handling 5000 tons oi coal and % other sHsl sup
etaed 81 he %or asS and
contract ts haS been made for the necessary ma
Seeia @en ,rn Which a Is NOW being prepared for ship
of=ths Spanish naval station at San ynsn.
cS Shs GeaE hnso e ssgs sGd ha Ss
sas Pull. 81 eonsssts sSi and most Of Of the% % ar.
6onsideraSis SPACE is devoted By Chief End,
S Sott to the diaicplties caused b. lack Of sun:
Referring to the sale OF part Of the yard to II.
Tdy Telty OF br9okiyn. under authority OF an act OF
"1ltRoaieh this his transfer occurred but four
years ago. Mo are Alreauy met Win QlDlcullee
in the location and construction OF works ~
Improvement which seem necessary TO the in
terests OF the service at this point. There are
now three dry docks In this nav, yard. and the
construction OF another. which has been rec.
ommended bv the Board ON Dry Docks and
which tho bureau regards as important, TO he
done n no distant day. can be located oni'
with d!ficulty and probably with great disad-
vantage 70 the yard In some respects. he
greatest navy yard In the country will proha,
bly, be limited to four craving docks. when ID
Ing down three times this number. with E!l
:he structpres and works. Of improyenlemt
necessary In tho repairs and equipment. with
expeditlon, Of the largest feet the Govern.
harbor OF New York"
Chief Endicott calls attention TO the impor.
tanee OF enlarginG the area Of the BrookJl
yard at Its northern portion By acquiring ute
TO the lAnds adjoining IT, bounded by the naV
ESrd wall. Hudson avenue and the East River
Ihis tract embraced triangular SHAPED areS
q about twelve acres in extent. The lahH
does not appear 10 be very valuable Tor con.
merciai purposes and 1t is thought thht =
might Pc obtained at a very reasonable pr'e'
IL would be valuable acquisition 20 the 'a.,,.
which has already approached the limit ' ~
development for lack OF space lie d4 rn
submit an estimate. OF the cost Of rurt a-..s
this land. but says IL can be prepared tD' 1S'
by the expenditure Of S2OO.00O.