The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-27

length, % feet across the entrance ana
WIN have 80 feet inches over the sill
At SpcEia, Italy has II 7O5 foot dock,
which measures LOG feet at its entrance
ana has 80 feat over tho sill.
The report OF the Board makes the
Following pertinent remarks on the sub
JeGr OF strategic consideration which
must be weighed in building docks in
TINS country, and which show from what
l1int we may expect an attack from a
foe in case of hostilities: "The sea is a
plain common ITO both parties If the
disparity of their naval strength he
great, the stronger holds command OF
the sea, and w!il at once take positions
oil or on the coasts of the weaker, hav-
ing as his objective the destruction of
his naval force, the trade dependent on
sea communication between his ports.
and finally the seizure and occupation
of base for further operations, naval
and military. This base will be chos n
at a safe anchorage, and with the view
Of clear communications with his home
ports; also. other things being equal.
at positions where his fleet will
threaten and disturb most the trade
and industries of the weaker power
We are, from n naval point. of view
weak in comparison with the great
naval powers of Europe, and the naval
strength OF Japan is growing so rapidly
that within II year or two she will also
ovcrmatch us in available naval strength
in the Pacific. Every effort chen. is
necessary on our part TO at least retain
command Of the sea on our own coasts,
ana TO supplement our naval strength
10y providing accessible places for repair
and docking, and by Qualifications so
located ihat when our STuadrOnS are
pressed by q superior force they may
use them as supports in holding the
approaches 10 our coasts. On the At
lantic coast the positions most likely
TO be sought by an enemy are Arassa-
chuSeits Bay, Long Island Sound, New
York ana Chesapeake Rays The posi-
lions Stragctically important for the
naval defense and which SHOULD be
strongly held are the harbors at and
on their approaches. which are Port
and. Me. ana FrovincctCwn Mass.
the eastern entrance To Long Island
Sound aud Sandy Hook AT the entrance
to New York Bay. The entrance 10 Del
aware Bay and to Port Royal Sound,
;" c. should also be secured from 0c-
cupancy. On the Gulf Coast the at
tack VIII be through the Florida or
! iHcatan channels, and the natural de-
Tense Will be ION the line from Tor,uyas
TO NY West On The Pacific coast the
positions OF greatest Importance are
ingci Sound, san Francisco Bay and
| contingent on is projected improve
| mentS, San Pedro Bay. The conditions
| III i n" entrance or Columbia River are
/ similar 20 those al Delaware Bay as re-
sp"ciS lis naval Importance. Owing 20
| me great distances from this coast TO
| The ports Of any sea power except those
or GreaE britain. so the northward. the
| attack will be an attempt at seizure OF
one OF these positions. TO meet The en-
envy in these positions and hold the
lines of defense VIII he the most import
ant work Of tho navy"
In summing IN its conclusion. the
Heard makes the following observa-
tons on the various types of docks
, nov in use:
The materials in general use for
dock construction are hewn stone. con-
crete, timber ana stsEl. The stone dock
| iS when well built, all that is desirable
| FOR such structure, bu; the cost and
| long Fime required for the completion
| OF such dock are against it's adoption
except in cases wherc the vicinity Of
! . #nithhl2 quarry and the presence Of