The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-12-18
the GREATEST NAVY
Yard IN the WORLD
league Island Navy Yard at
Philadelphia Covers an Area
OF e23 Acres.
all THAT THE SHIPS USE
Not Generally Known That Uncle San
Makes at These Yards All the
Material Used in His Va
rious Vessels.
ALL THAT THE SHIPS USE

League Island Navy Yard, Philadei-
phia, covering an area of o23 acres, Is
destined very shortly to become the
largest, most perfect and complete ma
val station in the world.
Evidence Of his desired progressive
ness is now visible on all sides IN the
yard In the shape of many new, com
modious and handsome buildings, e*-
aensiVe dry docks, q splendid sea wall,
and general improvements OF the
grounds.
With the ending of the Spanish
American war, congress commenced 10
realize and appreciate the worth ana
Importance of this navy yard ABOVE
all others, and began at once to become
deeply interested in the measures LOOK
sng to it's further Advancement, so mat
the activity and extension or the nm
proycmentS since made and at present
being carried out are the result or I'M
pressions made on the nation ut the
close of the Spanish-Amerlcan war as
10 the latter's effectiveness In proper
navy yard facilities in many partlc-
ulars.
That the nation Is to AVE a greater
and much improved navy yard at
league Island Is now assured, me
lazy department has made known It's
purpose to rapidly enlarge the plant'
and to make the yard the most mn
portant one in the United States. ships
are to be built there, repairs OF all
kinds carried on, and every facility Tor
the building and maintenance OF a
great navy provided.
Millions Spent There.
Millions of dollars are already being
expended in so quiet a manner as 10
have escaped the notice of all but the
few whose duties call them to the yard.
Millions more have been asked for
from the present congress TO continue
the work of enlargement, and plans
have been approved which leave no
doubt rs to the purpose of the navy
department to place League Island in
chat position which its many natural
advantages claim for it.
Americans from cities distant from
Philadelphia who have not visited
League Island navy yard in recent
years would not recognize the League
island of today as the naval station of
Ten or fifteen years ago.
l'he unsightly old barracks and other
miserable makeshift buildings have
been RACED and replaced by artistic and
substantial editices, while the grounds
have been tastefully planted and laid
out by expert landscape gardeners. II
the future promises long avenues Of
beautiful shade trees where In the past
were hot, dusty walks unprotected in
any way from the glare of the suns
ray
Under the artistic eye and with the
guiding hand of enthusiastic officials,
who have the improvements, costing
millions OF dollars, in charge, the mud
holes, ponds and bitches nave been
gradually made over into fine lawns,
flower beds, roads and walks, with
fancy stone terraces that delight the
eve. to say nothing Of the modern Of
flee and work buildings that d much
TO the Improvement and adornment of
this important government plant.
Once within the portals, things pre-
sent an atmosphere of newness and up
to-date progress. This very air of mod
ernism, to a certain extent, prevents a
sense Of artistic completeness, which
the passage of time will lend to the
whole, but the general effect Is n de-
Tightful improvement upon the old ap'
pearance OF the station.
The first building which catches the
eye upon entering the yards. because
perhaps of it's gorgeous coat Of paint. Il
the great manufacturing and repair
shop. This structure Is located jus
Beyond the new stone-curbed bridge OIL
the right side of Broad street, as thu
main road leading through League isl
Is still called.
Ali sorts of machines turning out al
kinds of iron articles necessary in tn
equipment of a vessel run by all con
ditions of men in Jumpers and overalls
euperintended and ordered abou b,
~uelf-possessed officials in uniforms
make a picture. of well regulated in
dustry not soon to be forgotten.
All That the Ships Use.
Ut Is a fact little known to the majorit
Of people tina Uncle Sam makes in tn
League Island navy yard pretty muc
everything that is used In his ships; al
eiiors, sails. oars, iron plates or anythin
else wanted on q vessel are turned gu
n1ost OF them coming from the worker
In the big red building.
Beyond the equipment building Is II
commandments Office, Here all Is Qui,
and peaceful both Inside and out. J
atartling contrast to the huge red buildir
IS this massive edifice of gray stone.
1t is marked by severe simplicity al
sEichness that Is the result of careful q
tention TO details; complete, it is an ha
monious whole. Broad halls. spacious Q
Aces with heavy plate glass windows loo
lng out upon the most beautiful parts
the grounds, wide, old fashioned fir
places beautifully tiled, and suggestive
winter enjoyment. all combine to ma
the building one of beauty and use.
The grounds around this building
which the commandment has his headqua
ters are laid out in identifying shad
aalks and rolling lawns. The Broad sire
boulevard, toward the river, has trar
formed this immense naval workyard In
) picturesque but practical park.
The administration building is situat
d one of the most beautiful portions
tho grounds. overlooking the magnifce
Boulevard scene; 1t stands on top of I
kerraced ground, and extends along
main avenue.
After a walk OF oyer a half mile ale
Broad street in the navy yard, visitors
rive at the Delaware river front. VIII
is destined to become one o. the bea,
sections In the grounds. Fine lawns
being constructed about the officers
Sand new quarters. the homes In which
officials at the island must live.
The gardens will be objects Of perso
pride to the enant of the quarters.
the midst of the officers colony is a b,
stand, In which the navy yard band
heard In coatert every alternate at,
noon.
Another attractive feature is the Lea
island trolley line. This new road Is
smallest free trolley line In America,
ssas constructed for the benefit Of
aervan. girl, or so the rurnor goes,
as.sss 4fa.ss. startn issssssss is 81 the. south staeaas
marine aarlacKs jass inside -tfssa' Il gsn
the other Is at the officers cottages.
s6lap east sido OF the yard at the river.