Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-07-11
IMPORTANT NAVAL STATION
HAMPTON ROADS A STRATEGIC POINT
OF IMMENSE VALUE.
What j. A.'Gutherie Thinks About 1t. a
Plea for Monitor Fleet to
Guard the CaPes.

published yesterday. makes the follow
ing remarks which will be interesting
to all who dwell in this section Of the
earth:
The Importance Of other navy yards
situated more fortunately. that is. with
in our largest cities. deserves cOnSid-
Grafton. yet from a strategic point Of
view let us not for once ignore the i'm
portance of the Norfolk naval station.
When we say this is the most necessary
naval harbor to defend in time of war,
we make use Of an axiom. as the fol-
lowing argument may prove TO those
interested. / is Il matter not of theory.
but of fact. that the salient angle, new
er mind the size, is the spot to meet the
enemy on. Give him his first impress
sion TO hurt make him feel what he has
10 expect fro mthc start. remind him Of
what is to follow and if possible keep
him on the point Of the lancc, so to
speak
The Norfolk station is not a salient
angle geographically. Cape Hattcras is
the salient angle of our Atlantic coast
from a geographical standpoint, be-
cause it is so situated as to be about
midway between the northeastern limit
of the State of Maine and the southern
f'D-''s -
it is the most projecting of all the At
mntic Capes. Now comes the question:
To defend Cape Hatteras would he an
impossi Utility. and for fleet to ma
noeuvre off the cape would be equally
impossible without taking great chanc S
or wind and weather. therefore the
nearest sheltered body nf water is the
natural place not only to be sought by
q hostile fleet, but the most likely rem
devious for hoStfitcs.
The great Chesapeake bay is the most
inviting harhor in every respect offer
ing its expanse and practically smooth
waters for safe anchorage ana rccupcr-
alton for any hostile fleet What is the
most essential. therefore. is to prevent
any enemy from making use Of this
advantage. prevent access TO it, keen
him on broad ocean Battling with the
clements. exposed to all the vicis.itudes
of the deep.
IA question may arise as to the best
method of accomplishing this scheme
and the answer may point at once to
coast defense, but before we 50 hastily
assert that coast defense will fit the
necessity, let us see if there is not 4
more practicable method, and one also
which can be put in action 1T once.
-
OF monitors at tho mouth Of the Chcs-
apeakc bay. a fleet of monitors can 40
more in Il minute than Il land battery
can accomplish in q week against an in
vadinS force. and this is not speaking
Theoretically but ii is a statement
rounded on investigation. We there
lore do not Immediately need the ex-
pendlture OF an enormous sum by the
government for an elaborate fortifica-
flon at Cape Henry, but we want
enough money expended upon the Nor
folk navy yard TO bring it up To the ell
cheney OF the New York navy ward
and then when the yard is thoroughly
accoutcrcd. keep on hand a large neet
on monitors that can be fitted UP at any
time ever ready for service. When it
is said that this navy yard should be
brought to the efficiency OF the New
York navy yard we mean that the same
amount. If not more. work be allotted
to the Norfolk station. the station
which is more favorably located and
more central. DO not let rs commit
ourselves to a policy of favorins sec
tlons, never allow it to be said that one
Secretary sends al! the available ma
tcrlal in the shape Of ships to be re-
paired, or otherwise, to The waters Of
rotary sends them to the waters Of New
England
The movable. dcath-dealing fleet Of
monitors will answer for all that can be
wished for. and will present Il most
powerful and effective force to keep off
agsressors To wait until an enemy
advances to a certain point is bad
pollcy-gO out and meet him with those.
floating fortresscs.
The Norfolk yard is already thor
oughly equipped for the construction
and repair Of vessels including all
classes from the battleship To the tor
pedo boat. In fact. each and every de-
partment is organized by the very Isl
quality and experience. Let us occupy
a short space to these departments
analysed distinctly and separately. in
order that the reader may judge I'M
biased the capabilities of this great.
naVa workshop. Before entering upon
the description of the yard proper.
however, let a word be spoken reyar
ing the wonderful advantages of Nor
folk harbor
Norfolk harbor. being located in the
proximity of the Gulf Stream, and Sit
haled moreover in moderately southern
lattudes, is never cloggcd with ice: it
IS at all times and AT all seasons open
10 vessels choosing to enter The rise
ana fan Of tide is less than three feet
ana there are no dangerous currents or
shoals. It's depth at low water from
Hampton Roads (the cntrancc) 10 a,
mile or more above the navy yard Cts
llniD Is thirty feet, five fa1hons. a.
broad channel, some 1000 feet wide, is
aDoH" the navy yard. and extends grad
ually increasing in width, for more than
thirteen miles down the harbor 10
Hampton Roads. This channel has re-
Gently. throughout its entire extent,
been drcdgcd 10 depth of thirty feet