The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-11-28
THE THAMES COAL YARD
WHAT GOVERNMENT INTENDS ES-
 TABLISHING THERE,

A Magnificent Possibility to be Blotted Ont With Conl-Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. The following are interesting details regarding the governments intentions with regard to the New London naval station on the Thames, where a mag" nificent possibility is to be plotted out with coal:
 In the annual report of the chief ot the bureau of yards and docks of the navy department, made public to-day, the following paragraphs appear in re- gard to the naval station at New Lon don:
 The expenditures at this station have been very small, and have been con- fined to a few slight repairs to Wharves and other objects and the care of the property.
 Congress at it's last session granted right of way through the naval station, New London, Conn.,, to the Norwich ana Worcester railroad company, by act ap- proved March 23, 1898. By authority or that act the secretary of tho navy was required to designate route ot such width, upon, such location, and upon such terms, through the naval station as he might deem best. A location for this road was surveyed, and approved of by the department under date ot May 2S, 1S9S One of the conditions upon which the right of way was grant ed was, that a spur of branch be built to the wharf or other point for coaling or other purposes upon such grades and location and of such material and con- struction as shall be approved by the navy department, to be maintained and operated for freight transported upon the Norwich and Worcester railroad by the company.
 In accordance with the grant and the conditions prescribed by the depart ment, the Norwich and Worcester rail- road has entered upon the work and 1t is now well advanced. The construc- tion of this road, and the switch and spur provided, to be connected with the coaling station to be established here, will doubtless prove of great value in connection with the latter.
 In the deficiency bill, act provided July ', 1S9S an appropriation was made  pockets or sheds and coal l-handling ma- chinery at this station amounting to two hundred thousand dollars. Speci- fications have been prepared for this work and invitations issued for propo- sals and plans, which have been re- ceiyed and contract has been made for the construction. The plans contem- plate a storage capacity of ten thou sand tons The location of the station and the plans received are such that these works can be extended to store an indefinite quantity of coal at this point. The naval coal board, which has recent ly reported upon the matter of coaling stations upon the North Atlantic coast, recommends that provisions be made at this point for storing twenty-five thou- sand tons of bituminous coal.
 The department, in special order No. "A, under date of July 1, directed the transfer of enlisted men to ships and stations and of the stores to other wards, and turned over the charge of the station to the bureau of yards and docks, a small force of civilian em- ployes to be retained by the bureau of yards and docks to take care of the property
 Uuder the head of estimates the re- port has this to say in regard to the New London station:
 The only object of Improvement es- timated for at this station at present is for dredging in front of the wharf twenty-five thousand dollars. Congress having appropriated at it's last session the sum of two hundred thousand dol lars for coaling facilities at this station steps have been taken toward making provisions for the storage and conven- tent handling at this point of about ten thousand tons of coal. The naval board has recommended the storage at this station of supply of twenty-five thou sand tons, and it will, therefore, become an important one for coaling.
 As no dredging has been done at this station since it came into the possession of the government, thirty years ago and the grading and filling in whicf was done in it's early improvement pressed large quantities of mud and slj from the shore to the borders of th' channel, from which considerable de posit has resulted at and in front of tht wharf, it is necessary that this aret should now be dredged in order to af ford a sufficient depth of water for yes sels that can pass up the river for coal ing.
 The conditions in this river are abou stable, and when the dredging has bee1 completed none will be necessary agail for many years.
 As this is closed yard and will prob ably be used in the future only for th purpose of coaling, no other improve ments are contemplated at the presen time.
 
 NEW BOOKS.
 At the Free Public Library,