The evening times., 1900-02-15
NAVAL COALING STATIONS
A Point Near Baltimore May Be
Chosen for One Of Them.
Plans for the Establishment of
Number Along the Atlantic Ser
cIude the ChesapeaIse +Bay-Others
ON the Coast of InsuIar4 Possessions.

Plans of the Navy Department for the
establishment of coaling stations along the
Atlantic seaboard will in all probability
include a station for some point near the
Chesapeake Bay, but no definite selection
of site has been made.
Several years ago an attempt was made
to establish a station, with large dry
deck and repair station. at Curtis Bay, on
the Severn River, above Annapolis, but the
heard of naval officers appointed to con-
slider the advisability of such a step made
so strong a report against the matter that
NO further efforts were made. This board,
headed by Admiral Ramsay, found Curtis
Bay TO be so far from navigable waters for
large ships that it was practically impossi-
bic for any but the lightest draft vessels
to reach the site of the proposed station.
To afford a channel for large vessels would
require several miles of dredging at heavy
cost. The members of the board thought
if any station was established ii should
be at a point near Baltimore.
II Admiral Bradford finally conc.ud S TO
locate a station on the Chesapeake he will
probably select some site near the city.
where coal can be handled cheaply and
where il would not be necessary TO spend
a
The coaling stations at Newport News
and Norfolk are believed to answer all the
requirements Of the service for many
wears so if coal pile is placed near Bal
timore il viii probably be small and in
tended for the use of torpedo boats and
small vessels
There is a strong opinion prevailing that
coaling stations in home waters are not
necessary in time of peace except at the
navy yards, where ships are repaired and
overhauled, and that in war time vessels
could no doubt secure coal in all the guam
titles demanded a the leading ports. Rea--
Admiral Hicnborn is one Of the most OIL
spoken opponents of the coaling station
system. but his views are not shared by
other bureau chiefs so far as they relate
TO the strictly domestic stations.
II is "A well-conceded principle that no
great naval power can carry on a success
ful war beyond its own waters without
coaling stations and places of rendezvous
for its fleets. and. further, that such sta
tiOnS are more of menace than an aid
unless formidabIy protected Great Brit
ain mas for years steadily increased the
numbers OF these stations, until she now
not only circles this country with power
fully protected stations. but in every ocean
she has coal piles where her ships may get
fuel in all necessary quantities.
As one OF the results Of the Spanish war
this Government is now maintaining large
coal piles on its own territory in distant
parts of the world and convenient for the
use OF fleets on foreign stations. Previous
to the war there was not one beyond the
limits of the country except a small Pile in
Alaska
Coaling stations will shortly be estab-
lished at San Juan. on some point in Cuba,
at Honolulu. Apia Samoa: Guam and Ca
vite.
The largest OF the domestic stations is
that at Key West, which, when completed
this spring, will have capacity of at least
80. 600 tons. Another new station has teen
located at New London, with d capacity Of
10 600 tons.