The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-22
TO SPEND SIX MILLION.
CHARLESTON HAS GOOD REASON TO
REJOICE.

Government Specifications for Work
on Cooper River Call for That
Amount-Mn. nificent Dry Docks.
Headquarters for the Torpedo
Fleet, Machine and Repair shops,
Hospital and Barracks for Dis
nbIed Seamen and Quarters for
Officers and Men VIII All BE Pro-
vided.
Charleston, Sept. 21.-It should be a
matter for rejoicing throughout this
state, as it is in Charleston, that the
actual work of constructing the great
government navy yard to be located
here will begin in the early days of
October. A special board of naval ex-
perts headed by Capt. Wolcott, L. S.
N. has spent this week in the city, per-
fecting all the details of the great
plans which Uncle Sam has mapped
out for developing his resources at this
pert.
AS much as the great enterprise has
been discussed heretofore few people
yet have an adequate conception of It's
true magnitude. Something of this
may be given by the statement that
the navy departments specifications
called for the expenditure of no less
than S6,000,0 900 on the banks of the
Cooper river within the next three
years. From this sum will be construct
ed two magnificent dry docks. second
to none now owned by the United
States. They will be made of stone and
concrete, each of them measuring $50
feet in length by 140 feet in width
docks amply capable of accommodating
the greatest battIeship now in the
American navy or likely ever to be
built. Added to these there will be an
individual establishment made to ac-
commodate the torpedo fleet of the
country. This will be constructed with
view to making Charleston in future
the winter quarters for Uncle Sans
torpedo boats attached to the North
and South Atlantic squadrons.
Another most important establish
ment, of course. will be the great ma
chine and repair shops built with a
view to possibilities of having vast
amount of work to do on all classes
of vessels in and out of active service.
And added to all else has been the an
nouncement in the last few days that
the Navy Department contemplates
the erection here of a large hospital
seamen. Along with the public works
will, of course, go the building of the
miniature city of handsome residences
for the officers and men who will be
attached to the navy yard. 1t may
take three or more years to complete
all Of the plans which have been drawn
up, but within the next two months a
veritable army of workmen and gov
ernmental officials will be here engaged
upon the great enterprises which have
been referred to.
The garrison at the navy yard itself
Will be large one. and following the
unvarying course of the government. in
such circumstances, all of the supplies
and materials necessary for the main
romance of the ships crew as well as
fhe landsmen. will be purchased in
the local markets. And added to all
this there is now the further talk of
the possibility of the establishment
here of a great shipbuilding plant in
connection with other government i'm
provements. Should this good fortune
Qn addition to all else that is coming
Charleston's way just now come to
the city, there shortly would be such
another boom developed at this port
as was never before seen in this Iati-
tude.