Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-09

lease from the Japanese government, and
that facilities be provided for the storing
of 10000 tons of coal at Guam Improve
ments are urged for the coalng stations at
Manila. Admiral Bradford says that coal
ing station should be established near the
fucatan Passage. the Windward Passage,
Mona Passage. and Virgin Passage, all be-
ing important strategic locations. The inn
portaGce of coaling station on each side
of the Isthmus of Panama cannot be over
estimated.
Foreign coaling stations he says.
(which do not carry with them sovereign
rights are of very little value. The ordi-
nary coaling stations for commercial ships
sufficient, rule, for war vessels
during times of peace. During war, how
ever. the government must rely upon its
own resources
More Home ConI Depots Needed.
The report also contains a strong argu-
nent for an increase and the improve
ment of the domestic coal depots. cat the
beginning of the late war;" says Admi-
raj Bradford, with the exception of a shed
at Key West with a capacity of 5000 tons
there were no accommodations at any of
the navy yards or naval stations on our
own coast for the receipt and storage of
coal or means for rapid handling of the
same in accordance with the best CONNER
cial practice of the day. The navy had re-
lied entirely upon coal dealers to supply
coal to ships in the stream by means of
lighters, as required.
The bureau was much embarrassed dur
ing the war for means to satisfy the de-
mands of commanding officers for rapid
coaling, and 1t was frequently Impossible
10 coal ships which Were patrolling our
coast. in reasonable time. Merchant
ships are generally coaled alongside of
their piers, while men-ofwar are without
such facilities.
Liberal appropriations were made during
last Congress for remedying these defects.
These appropriations have only been avail
able since July, and in most cases but lit
tie progress has been made on the work.
When completed there will be facilities for
storing and handling coal rapidly at the
navy yard, Portsmouth, n. H; navy yard,
Boston, Mass; naval station, New London,
Conn; navy yard, New York: navy yard,
League Island, Pa; naval station, Port
Royal S. c.; and navy yard Pensa cola
Fla.
There is much need for coal depot in
the vicinity of Frenchmans bay, coast of
Maine, and in Narragansett bay, Rhode
island. No good coal for steaming purposes
is mined near the Pacific coast. For this
reason it is transported there from Great
Britain, Australia New Zealand. or the At
lantic coast. Owing to the uncertainties due
to the transportation of any merchandise
for such long distance by water the un-
certain demand for use on board naval
ships. and to the iuctuating prices in
freights, il is evident that there should be
large storage facilities at naval stations
and other places of rendezvous for naval
ships on this coast. The navy has relied
upon local dealers. who proved during the
late war to be totally unable to supply the
demand at reasonable rates. The tempta-
ton to take advantage of the necessities
of the government at such a time are very
great, but should by no means be permitted.
Besides. most of the coal imported into San
Francisco is not sufficiently good for naval
use. The only remedy is to keep on hand
large amounts of good coal in store. There
should be in San Francisco storage ca
pacity for at least 100000 tons
recommended Congress-
asked to authorize retired officers of the
navy to be placed in charge of naval coal
depOts. Many of them while not physically
qualified to undergo the hardships and ex-
posture incident to sea service, are qualified
for this duty They are better adapted for
1t. owing to their professional knowledge.
than civilians; being commissioned officers,
they are subject to a court-martial for any
malfeasanCe in office and the government
would receive some return for the compen-
satiOn paid them Many retired officers
would be glad to perform this duty for
the difference between retired pay and duty
pay. 1t should be stipulated that when
performing this duty they should receive
the same rate of pay as those on the
active list.
PIOtaGe.
Admiral Bradford says that $40 was
paid during the year for pilotage showing
that the custom Of employing pilots for
naval ships is increasing rapidly "The
bureau" he says, lis of the opinion that
captains should be encouraged and
required to pilot their ships when prac-
ticable. 1t is not so much question of the
cost of pilotage. although this is one of
and nerve force on the part of captains
and navigators, so necessary in times of
great emergency
Need of Surveying.
There is at present a very large amount
of surveying necessary in connection with
the Philippine Islands. Hawaiian Islands,
Cuba and Porto Rico The bureau is in
receipt of a great number of photographic
reports from captains of ships concerning
the entire unrelability of the best exist
ing. charts of the late Spanish possessions
now controlled by the United States In
the Philippine Islands the services of pilets
are constantly necessary for this reason,
and they do not always prove reliable. AS
an illustration of the condition Of affairs,
1t may be stated that a report from the
captain of the u. S. S. Nero has been re-
ceived stating that Dngaia bay, on the
coast of LuZon, is ten and half miles out
in latitude and seven miles in longitude.
The charts of the coasts of Cuba and Porto
Rico are entirely incorrest. Very little is
known of a large portion of the southern
coast of Cuba Even the coast line of Por-
to Rico is not correct. Extensive surveys
are now in progress to correct these de-
fectS-
Homing Pigeon Service.
The honing- pigeon service is at the pres
ent time well established at Portsmouth,
n. H; Newport. r. l.; New York, n. Y;
Norfolk, Va; Key West. Fla, and Mare
Island, Cal The largest number of birds
at any one station is 1913, at New York.
Reference was made in the report of the
bureau of last year TO the failure TO secure
any very beneficial results from this ser
vice. No reports in its favor have been
recorded during the past year, and it is
considered extremely doubtful if homing
pigeons Will ever be of any great utility.
Should the Marconi system of telegraphy
prove successful Admiral Bradford saws.
it will certainly replace the homing- pigeon
service.
Construction of Charts
Admiral Bradford calls attention to the
fact that the Navy Department and the
coast and geodetic survey employ different
systems in the construction of charts, the
former using the Mercator projection and
the latter the polyconic projection. He
says the former method is the universal
practice of other maritime nations. 1T is
submitted, ne says, that navigation of
all ships, foreign and American, that ap-
proach or leave the coast of the United
States should not be subjected to the dis
advantages connected with the use of
charts constructed on a system different
F