Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-11-24
q Mammoth Enterprise.

Since the Rich Patch deal IN AHegna-
ny county has been contaminated there
seems to be sequel to it. A recent
dispatch has been sent out from New
port News to the following effect:
Negotiations are positively pending
between Mr.. G. P. Huntington, owner
OF the shipyard, On the one hand. and
Messrs. Dunn and CrossIey, of England,
ard Mr.. Mckay, of Scotland, on the
other, with view of establishing here
a plant for the manufacture of armor
plate and ordnance. TIE foreign gen
tlemen referred TO came to Newport
News with view of entering into some
kind of an investment along this line,
provided the location was what they
expected, and the inducement Sufficient
~ liberal. The details of the great deal
are progressing to the satisfaction OF
Mr. Huntington and the officials Of the
Newport News Ship-Building and Dry
Dock Company; and further, that the
parties of the first ard second parts are
now considering the terms on which the
big plant shall be established.
1.-Two weeks ago, it is learned, the
foreign gentlemen were in Washington,
With a view of receiving some asSur-
ance from the Navy Department that
would justify them in investing tie
large amount of money necessary FOR
the establishment of a large armor plate
plant and ordnance factory. 1t is fur
| Their learned that the interview with
Secretary Long was highly satisfactory
| to all parties concerned, and they came
to Newport News for the purpose OF
looking over the ground and drawing
~ ~, Al tn 70 6xra n
tageous location"
The purchase CT the Rich Patch mines
it is said has a close and intimate reia-
ton to the above enterprise, and as it is
known that no point in America has
such advantages as Newport News or
| its vicinity for the establishment of such
an industry, tie Rich Patch deal be-
comes very significant. 1t is highly
| important that iron Of the quality desir-
| ed, be easily accessible, and that coal
| and coke Of the character desired be
also obtainabIe at the nearest point. as
all the navy yards are aceessibls II
water from Newport News, and as
many of the very finest and heaviest
armored vessels will doubtless be bull;
there, it is likewise very important that
the plates be turned out at the point
nearest the place where they are to be
used. Then the testing station would
be there also as it is near Fortress Mon
roe, and thus save thousands of dollars
now spent in railroad transportation t
Indian Head and other points from the
Carnegie works. These are only a few
Of the many advantages which Newport
News possesses oyer any other point.
The Pennsylvania Railroad reaches
Cape Charles only little way off, the
Southern, and Atlantic Coast Line, and
Norfolk & Western. and Seaboard All
Line, are all near this point, and the e
& O. has its eastern terminus there
The haul for all heavy material toward
Newport News is easy, and the cost is
light as can be made. go that all in all
no point could be better selected. The
growing facilities for ship building there
the splendid harbor, the opportunities
to ship such products abroad at the
least cost, as well as now having mines
of the finest iron ore from which t(
draw, as well as the entire New Rive1
coal field, there can be but little remain
ing to give such an enterprise all il
could ask, to make it the establishment
OF its kind in the world.