The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-17
MORE COALING STATIONS.
4 Board Recommends the Establish
ment of Several Bases of supply.

ment OF NcNcfai isdStS VI Rh1liAs
WASHINGTON, Sept 9-One Of the
numerous lessons taught by the war Is
the inadequacy of coaling stations and
facilities for handling fuel between the
shore and the ships and the necessity Of
establishing new depOts OF supply where
the largest ships of war may at all stages
OF the tide and under all weather con-
ditions replenish their Dunkefs. Key
West was the main station for tIe navy
i'm the present war, and from that point
tyyo-thirds of the coal used was sent 10
the ships of Sampson fleet.
Realizing that this one station ana the
few maintained along the Northegn coast
are not sufficient 20 meet promptly the
requirements Of the enlarged naval es-
adjustment. the Secretary of the Navy
early I'm the summer appointed a special
board, with Admiral Belkndp. relird' as
President, to visit cOastwise cities ana
examine certain sites RECOMMENDED ana
believed desirable for important naval
coaling stations This board visited every
town with deep water front from Name
around TO the IOrtugas. and ia It's report
lust submitted to- the Navy Department
recommendations are made for establish
ing half dozen at least where none are
now maintained for the service. To hnds
that the navy is unprovided WIFI coal
piles at any port on the Southern coast
except at Key West and MOTOR, ana
that, owing 20 lack OF water az DOM
places. great difficulties are met ln load
ing coal aboard any but the smaller SHIPS.
None of the battleships. armored cruisers
or heavy -draught vessels can approach
tho coal depois OF either harbor and Pee
sort therefore must be had 20 bdrses.
which is a slow. tedious and unsatisldC-
tory process OF taking coal on board.
The largest type of ships the board found
could not enter nearer than i've miles 0t
the coal base at Key West. and the same
trouble has been found with the coalne
station at Port Royal where the navy
supports a fine dock. but which cannot
be used owing 20 want or proper depih
Of water 10 enable heavy ships 10 enter %.
Recommendations are made that co1l-
ing stations be established al several
places on the Atlantic seaboard from
Portsmouth. y. H.. south. ard on tie euli
as far west as TIE mouth Of the Mississ-
ippi river Especial Emphasis is laid on
the importance and value OF coaiins
station al Porto Rico. Were the naval
authorities are confident one VIII Doe
placed when peace IS declared and Che
territory formally becomes part OF the
United States.
The cost OF each station will be be-
tween Sip',puj ana f-p''ND'' "'N'' --''- III"
It's locality and ;he expense atenc.ls
any dredging that may be necessary.
The stations are to have capacities vary
ing from 5000 to 20No tons OF coal Piers
sheds. and appliances for handling the
coal will be practically all that viii be
required for a complete station II IS not
proposed by the board that these stations
shall be military IN character, but shall
have only one officer in charge and a Few
ATTACHES to assist he crews OF ships in
taking coal on board.
TIE necessary authority for establish
ing these stations, together with the an
propriations, will be asked OF Congress
when II assemblies