The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-10-28
URGES DRY DOCK
At BROOKLYN YARD
Assistant Secretary New
berry IJpholds Rodgers
Boards Report.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy New
berry, after a personal inspection Of
the New York navy yard at Brooklyn.
last week, has found himself in accord
with the Rodgers board, which recently
reported in favor of making a number
OF important improvements there. Mr..
Newberry's utterances at this time en-
courage the hope among officers most
interested in the project that the Navy
Department win Recommend 10 Congress
the purchase of sufficient land to en-
large the present yard materially, and
also the construction OF a new dry
dock.
From the Brooklyn civilian point Of
view the enlargement OF the yard is
an important question; from the naval
and governmental point Of view the
construction Of the dry dock perhaps
is the most important. The United
States has only three docks on the At
lantic coast capable Of handling its
largest battleships. II there were
nothing to be considered but the semi
annual cleaning OF the hulls Of these
vessels, no doubt the operations could
be so timed that existing facilities
would be adequate. Unfortunately, how
ever. provision must be made for the
repairs rendered necessary by accidents,
and accidents, as naval officials well
know. cannot be persuaded To conform
to any particular schedule.
Common Sense Demands Dock.
An officer OF the Bureau Of Naviga-
ton, speaking of this situation, said:
Common sense demonds that the Gov
erument should be prepared for both
the emergencies Of peace and war. Be
sides. battleships of greater size than
any already in commission are under
construction at the present time, are
being planned in the Bureau OF Con
struction and Repairs. and failure TO
furnish one or more docks large enough
10 accommodate them would be the
height or folly"
A dry dock with the capacity OF the
Dewey, the largest floating craft IN the
world, which recently was taken across
20 Manila, is advocated by some. The
Dewey can dock the largest battleship
afioat. even a ship the size Of the Dread
nOughr The new dry docks at Charles
ton and New Orleans can we'll take
care of the big batueships. As New
York Is the central point for the Allan
tic fleet. and really the shore headquar-
,ers for all Of Rear Admiral Evans yes
sells. II IS considered highly important
that suitable dry dock be constructed
for use there.
Secretary Bonaparte is said TO favor
the roprt Of the Rodgers board. and the
President is greatly interested in the
question OF a suitable dry dock at Brook
lyn- In view OF this. since Secretary
Newberry has made his report. IL Is
likely that action on the part OF Con
gress will be strongly urged, early in
the session. 1t Is the purpose OF the Of
fcials 10 have such a dock ready in time
to accommodate the mammoth $1,000
600 battleship that is now being planned.
Need Large Tract of Land.
The Rodgers board advocates the pur-
chase OF a large tract Of land for badly
needed additions 20 the yard. An Of
fcer who recently visited the yard. in
discussing the subject with Times re-
porter. said: 1.-THE essential thing at the
present time is TO procure site for the
new dock. and 10 begin construction as
soon as possible. The erection of new
shops. the Reorganization of the pier
system and other needed changes can be
undertaken more deliberately
II is understood that when Rear Ad-
miraI Evans was in Washington last
week on a visit TO his family. he dis
Cussed the proposed improvements with
a number OF the Ofncials and urged the
necessity OF the new dry dock to accom-
modate his ships. No doubt the noted
feet commander IS hoping there will be
no more accidents such as have come
near sinking his best battleships within
the last ten months. but In the event Of
another accident such as the collision
Of the big war dogs in New York haroor
on two different occasions the proposed
dock would be found convenient and
would save much time and the expense
Of sending the ships 10 private docks at
other points.