New-York tribune., 1900-11-21
FOR NAVY YARDS AND DRYDOCKS.
ESTIMATE OF REAR-ADMIRAL ENDIcoTT
THAT H2.45s3sS IS REQUIRED.

Washington. Nov 2o-The annual report of Rear
Admiral Endicott, Chief OF the Bureau of Yards
and Docks. submits estimates aggregating A2,-
45639e. OF which 81 252, $40 set down for puoiic
improvements The Admiral emphasizes the i'm
portance of having proper provisions made at an
early date for storing convenient points along
our coasts the large number OF torpedo boats whlch
are now being completed and put ahoat. and ruIy
concurs in the recommendations OF the Chief Con-
structor Of the Navy that appropriations for ap-
pIlances to this purpose be made by the present
Congress. Attention is called the overtaxed
condition of many navy yards. due to the rapid
increase in the Navy ahoat. and the report ear
nestly advises increase in the shore allotment
that the land establishment may keep up with the
growth Of the Navy the seas Admiral Enoi-
colt states that several of the yards should be
considerably increased IN area and particularly
the yard at Norfolk. Va. Here Congress has au-
thorized the construction of a new drydock. which
desired be one of the largest class, but the
Admiral calls attention to the fact that the only
available space for this purpose is so limited as
to preclude the construction OF dock OF desirable
dimensions.
The Importance of enlarging the naval station at
San Juan, Porto Rico is touched upon, and II Is
stated that request for the transfer Of land be-
longing to the War Department to the Navy De-
partment for this purpose will be entertained Gov
ernor Allen holds that the lands on the point south
of the Passed de Ia Princessa should be devoted
to naval purposes. The tract OF land already set
aside in the harbor as naval reservation is mere
fore believed to be unnecessarily reserved. ana Ine
Bureau recommends the Improvement of the chan
nels connecting the navy yards at Portsmouth, y
H. and Mare Island with the sea Expensive d docks ks
building there which cannot be reached Dy
naval vessels without these improvements
Chief Endicott says that the navy yards OF the
country generally are now in much better condtion
to meet sudden demand, such thrown upon
them by the Spanish war. than they were when that
war broke out. He reviews briefly the work ac-
complished and the existing conditions at each
yard. The big steel floating drydock. the largest
in the world. intended for Algters. La, will be
ready for passage by to that place next spring
and the site also will be complete by the time the
dock ck arrives All of the four docks authorized by
the last Congress are in progress. That at Ports
mouth 3 is advancing successfully and with reason
aDle dispatch Those at Mare Island and League
islam Island have been retarded by the change Of plans
works have failed three times. the third failure
requiring repairs Of the substantial and radi
cal character. which being made. The
rangements for the final purchase from the Span
ish Government of the floating steel dock at Ha-
yana We're interrupted by the outbreak OF yellow
fever there. and the final inspections have been de-
ferred until safer time Chief Endicott says that
win these docks the facilities OF the Navy Will be
largely Increased, but the increase in the number
OF vessels 10 be handled will require still more
COCKS o,96;, than are now provided for However. he
he does urge the immediate construction of
dock IN the Philippines soon suitable site
has been found