New-York tribune., 1901-01-26
WANTS BLACKWELL'.S ISLAND
SECRETARY LONG ASKS THAT CITY PER
NIT NAVY TO Use 1T As 4 PARK
AID DRILL GROUND.

-aptair Henry q Tavlor of the Brooklyn Navy
Yard. and Chaplain Chidwick yesterday morning
visited Mayor Van Wyck and presented the follow
ing letter from John u. Long. Secretary Of the
Navy requesting that the city give the Navy De-
partment the use Of Blackwers Island for A drill
ground and park
Having learned that the northern part Of Black
wells Island will be vacated in few months. and
other portion Of New-Nork City. l beg 10 inquire
Wlher me NaNy LeiaI' lS Dl i - y
a place for the recreation. exercising and drill
ing Of the seanen and recruits present quarered
aboard the recruiting ship Vermont at the Navy
The area at present available in Cob Dock for the
purpose uf a recruiting and receiving station VIII
soon in great measure he occupied by the new
and II is probable that the receiving and recruiting
centre must soon be removed to some other point in
In case this privilege is granted the Navy Depart
which would thus be temporarily occupied. a
naval park 10 be kept in order by the Navy. and
in connection with the vermont. and allow the
strictions only are customary I'm the other parks
of New-York The present receiving ship Yer
sea wall OF the island at a convenient point. and
continue at present, TO be the quarters for the
have understood that similar use for drilling
and exercise was made by certain Of the Govern
which falls under the Park Department This re-
quest of the Navy is for the temporary use Of the
north end OF Blackwefs Island when It shan be
available next spring, pending the selection by the
cruiting and receiving stations. II. however, the
city should favor the idea of distinctly naval
park IN Blackwells Island at some future time.
DO not doubt that Your Honor viii agree II would
before referred to. and for naval monuments com
memorating important events in our country'S his
tory. and for naval museum, TO contain naval
relics models Of ships and other objects Of interest
70 the people OF the great maritime city Of the
United States
Captain Taylor said TO the Mayor:
Father ChidWick and myself and the authorities
n he Department
looking a place IN New-York City suitable for
the uses OF the Navy that the enlisted
toned here have drill ground. We have
finally decided on Blackwells Island. We are told
here comedies in these views. that the northern
norton OF the island is TO be vacated in April and
that by May the island buildings viii be entirely
vacant. ] am serious in thinking that II would
benefit the citizens of this great metropolitan city
even more than il would the Navy The portion
referred to would eventually be turned into beau
ton IS to beautify this portion OF the island and
eventually to erect monuments and other objects
which would make ii beautiful
Mayor Van wyck listened attentvely to what
Captain Taylor had say and replied that he
would look into the subject thoroughly. He said
that he must thoroughly examine every detail.
Chaplain Chadwick added that the Navy would be
financially responsible for all expenses and would
pay for all improvements. In closing Captain Taylor
said:
and the strong request OF myself that you your
good offices in this matter NeW-York would have
p beautiful National park right between the two
great bOrOgEhs which would be enjoyed by Nation
and city alike and would Re a gOdsend 20 the
many thousand inhabitants that have only the
small parks in the city TO go TO.