The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-06
FINEST IN THE WORLD
MILLIONS ALREADY SPENT AT i Lk.A- .a LELAND NAVY YARD.
Work sttll Going on--Improvements Include Big Dry Dock and Every Facility for Building
 War Vessels.

bune.i
 If the recent promulgated plans of the Government fully mature. League Island Navy Yard. covering an area of sS acres. Is destined shortly to become the larg- est, most perfect, and complete naval sta- ton in the world.
 Evidence of this desired progressiveness is now visible on all sides in the yald in the shape of many new, conmodious, and handsome buildings, extensive dry docks. 9 splendid sea wall, and general Improvements of the grounds.
 That the nation is to have greater and much improved navy yard at League Is- land is now assured. The Navy Depart ment has made known its purpose to rap idly enlarge the plant and to make the yard the most important one in the United States. Ships are to be built there. re- pairs of all kinds carried on, and every 1, facility for the building and maintenance of a great navy provided. Millions Already Spent.
 Millions of collars are already being ex- pended in so quiet a manner as to have escaped the notice of all but the few whose duties call them to the yard.
 Milions more have been asked for from the present Congress to continue the work of enlargement. and plans have been ap- proved which leave no doubt as to the purpose of the Navy Department to place League Island in that position which it's many natural advantages claim for it.
 The unsightly old barracks and other miserable makeshift buildings have been razed and replaced by artistic and sub stantlal edifices. while the grounds have been tastefully planted and laid out by expert landscape gardeners and the fu- ture promises long avenues and beautiful shade trees where in the past were hot. dusty walks.
 The first building which catches the eye upon entering the yards Is the great man., ufacturing and repair shop. This struc- ture Is located just beyond the new stone curbed bridge on the light side of Broad Street, as the main road leading through League Island is still called.
 Make Many Things for Ships.
 It Is fact little known to the ma Jority of people that Uncle Sam makes in the League Island Navy Yard pretty much everything that is used in his ships; anchors, sails. oars, iron plates, or any thing else wanted on a vessel are turned out, most of them coming from the work CTS in the big red building.
 Beyond the equipment building is the commandant s office. Here all is quiet and peaceful, both inside and out, In startling contract to the huge red build- Ing IS this massive edifice of gray stone.
 The grounds around this building, Tn which the commandant has his headquar- ters' are laid out in beautifully shaded walks and rolling lawns. The Broad Street boulevard, toward the river, has transformed this immense naval work yard into picturesque but practical park.
 The Administration Building is situated in one of the most beautiful portions of the grounds, overlooking the boulevard scene. It stands on top of the terraced ground and extends along the main ave- nue.
 Grounds Being Beautified,
 Arter walk of over half mile along Broad Street in the navy yard, visito s ar rive at the De aware River front. which Is destined to become one of the beauty sections In the grounds. Fine lawns are being constructed about the officers old and new quar CTS, the homes in which officials at the island must live.
 The gardens will be objects of personal pride to the tenants of the qua ters. Tn the midst of the officers colony is a band stand. In which the navy yard band Is heard fin concert every alternate after noon.
 Another attractive feature Is the League Island trolley line. The new road is the smallest free trolley line in America, and 1t was constructed for the benefit of the servant girl, or so the rumors goes.
 One terminus is at the south side of the marine barracks just inside the gates; the other Is at the officers cottages, on the east side of of the yard at the river. The back chanel of what Is left of the stream is crossed by mean of a long wooden trestle. At present the road is almost an air line from the gate to the kitchen, but 1t is understood that the government intends to extend the road so as to make a complete circuit of the yard. It begins operation at o'clock in the morning and runs every nine minutes until F o'clock at night
 Cubic Yard of Concrete a Minute.
 An idea of the extent of the improve ments now under way may be obtained from the fact that for sVTne time past has been laid at League Island every minute of the working day.
 The greater porti of ths material is being placed in d new dry dock. The gov- ernment will expend S1200. co in the con- struction of this dry do k, which work will require at least eighteen months to compl te and which will make it eventu al- ly the gnest dock in the world. One new feature will be the operation electrically of the pumps and capstans where hereto- fore steam was employed.
 The 13 010 feet extension to the new sea- wall now in course of construction. is not one of the least important features of the new Improvements of this great naval station. which will require years to com plete
 Construction Is planned as will surround the western end of the island W tn pie-s. 7cks, contraction shops, and wharves. This will make every ship directly access sible to any loading point redu ing t 0 time and cost of haDdling to the mini- mum.
 The reserve basin is to be used for lay ing up ships In reserve or in commission. This basin will be especially valuable. be- ing the only fresh water basin at any na- val station in the United States W e-ein the hulls of vessels cannot foul. When completed it will be possible to lay up tho whole of the navy in the basin.
 WITH THE sCIENTlsrS.