The San Francisco call., 1901-11-11
COAL|NG DEP0TS
IN EVERY ZONE
American Vessels Need
Use No Foreign
Fuel.
Stations So Located That Our
Cruisers May Circumnavi-
gate the Globe.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL BUREAU. 14o6 G STREET NV,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1O.-Coaling sta
tions and coal supplies have been estab-
lished by Rear Admiral Bradford, chief
Of bureau of equipment of the Navy De-
partment, to such an extent that vessel
around the world and use nothing but
American owned coal. In time of war 1t
would not be possible for an American
warship to obtain coal belonging to this
Government at European ports because OF
the necessity of the observance of neu-
trality by the European nations, and be-
cause OF the jealousy of Europe to the
presence of American vessels. Because of
that condition no action will be taken by
this Government looking to the acQulsiti ion
of coaling station sites in Europe, but
formed plans for the establishment of
coaling stations on the South American
Continent and, when they are established.
an American warship will have no diff
Guilty in obtaining fuel in all parts of the
world save Europe
In his annual report just made public,
Rear Admiral Bradford says:
LAS the department is aware efforts are
being made to establish other naval coal
depots at important localities, which it is
deemed unwiSe to discuss In a report of a
public character.
Millions Paid for Coal.
A striking illustration of the growth of
the American navy is presented in the
single statement in the report of Rear Ad-
miral Bradford that he spent 81, 273, i'll last
fiscal year for 324 10S tons of coal at an
average cost of 81 Oh per ton. The report
says that this was nearly 95,713 more tons
of coal than was used during the preced-
ing fiscal year. Ten years ago the coal
consumption was 73 600 tons per annum.
Admiral Bradford has scattered Ameri-
can coal all over the world, wherever suit
able storage could be found. He has
at Pichilique, Mexico, and he has sent
large quantities to Guam and to the Phil
ippines. He carried 5000 tons by water
from the Atlantic Coast to Mare Island,
English Cardiff coal. They have averaged
the same in cost, viz: SO 29 per ton, but
at present, owing to the scarcity of Amer
lean freight vessels. the best Cardiff coal
is considerably cheaper at Mare Island. 1t
is recommended that two large steam
10000 ton colliers be built to keep depots
supplied in time of peace and to accom-
pany the fleets in time of war.
Summarizing the work accomplished at
various coaling stations during the year
the report takes up Cavite and says that
the bureau is about to open bids for a
$4,000 ton coaling station there. Efforts
have been made to obtain site for a
coaling station at Cebu, but thus far with
out success. Coaling stations have been
located at Port Isabella and at Polloo,
Mindanao. A complete station has been
established at Yokohama, Japan, and it is
now fully stocked with coal.
Gable Surveys Are Completed.
Admiral Bradford says very little about
his favorite project in a ns-Pacific sub
marine telegraph cable, contenting himself
with the statement that the bureau is
now in possession of all data required, so
far as surveys are concerned. to lay this
cable. In the same connection he renews
his recommendation for a careful exam
ination of the Pacific Ocean, west of the
Hawaiian Islands. to locate dangers to
navigation. He recommends that addi-
tional photographic offices be established
at Manila and at Pensacola, Fla.
The report says that the subject of
wireless telegraphy has been followed
carefully during the year. but it does not
appear advisable to adopt any particular
system at present, or to acquire any more
apparatus than necessary for purposes of
instruction. 1t is clear that no system has
as yet passed beyond the experimental
stage.