The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-08-27
Business Men Unanimous
in Endorsing Project
and Urging Necessity
for Haste.

Harbor at present, no matter how deep
the channel, with the sharp turns
which are now in the channel.
"There are a number of curves in
which the distance is from 500 to $50
feet. l have recommended that the
curve radius be 1000 feet and believe
that it is none too much. In fact 5000
feet would be better. In order to cut
off these curves an examination of the
bottom must be made first, to ascertain
whether it is hard or soft coral or
sand. The army engineers cannot take
the initiative. They must wait till
Congress tells them to go ahead. Ev-
cry Congressman with whom have
talked in the last few months has been
in favor of giving us an approprla-
ton with which to start the wosk. L
believe that about 200 will be need
ed for the preliminary survey and IN
order to remove the curves rough
estimate places the amount of material
to be moved at 100000 cubic yards.
1t costs about twenty-five cents per
yard for moving the soft coral, so it
would cost, if only this material is
found, about $450,000 to complete this
| work. If hard coral is encountered it
would mean that the expenditure would
be greater.
"The channel must be deepened to
80 or SO feet and must be made at
least double its present width, so that
two vessels may pass each other. Now,
gentlemen, it is hopeless case for the
Navy to attempt to have these i'm,
provements made from the standpoint
of our department alone. If it is shown
to Congress that it is a commercial as
well as military necessity there is a
great deal of hope for action in the
very near future.
"Dry docks are needed here. have
noticed in various local papers the
idea that drydock should be built In
Honolulu harbor. That hurts US. l dc
not believe that private concern
would take up the matter of a drydock
on this island without Government aid
and the United States would never
place drydock in a harbor like this
where it would be unprotected from
attack by the enemy.
"There is another Question to be
considered. For a suitable drydoch
here it will take more land than il
available. Even without shops mod
ern drydock would take about five
acres of land. Where are you going tt
get this in Honolulu harbor2 The plant
which the Government has estimated
on at Pearl Harbor will include two
large drydocks and four small ones
The two first for battleships and TO,
ships like the Manchuria and the Mon
golia. The smaller ones would be fol
the smaller naval boats and for thu
merchant vessels. At least thirt.
acres of land will be needed.
"For drydocks the location at Pear
Harbor is superb. The dock would b
protected by two miles of channel anc
mile of reef from attack by the enc
my and no more could be asked. TIL
land and the harbor space are avail
able. There is everything that i
needed.
"Now 1 want to call your attention
to one thing. That is the necessity TO
persistent efforts to pull together. Tn
less the business men of Honolulu d
this there can be nothing whateve
done towards what should be the mos
magnificent naval station in th
world.''
In closing Admiral Very stated tina
he would be glad to see chairma
elected for the meeting and after tina
he would be very much pleased t
answer any questions which those pres
ent chose to ask. On motion, e1
Governor Carter was made chairma
of the meeting. In getting seat flo
the chairman, Admiral Very placed
long stick of bamboo, which he ha
been using to point out various loci
tions on maps which were on the walls
on the table at the ex-governor
right. which caused smile and mu
muir "big stick to circulate throug
the meeting.
Secretary Mott-Smith then read tn
were unable to be present at the NEE
ing:
The Bank Of Hawaii, Ltd.
Capital, s6oO.OOOoo.
Honolulu, T. h, Aug. %, 1907.
e. A. Mott-Smith. Esq. Secretary {
Hawaii.
Dear Sir:-Yours of this day, invitin
me to be present at the Office Of Al
miral Very at 2 p. m. tomorrow, h.
been received, and regret my inabilit
to attend the meeting. consider tt
opening and development of Pearl Ha
Dor, and the building there of nav
station and other work, Of very gre;
Importance not only to the CONNIE
cial interests of Honolulu, but also
the plantations and farming interes
of tine whole island Of Oahu eand il
directly to all the Territory Of IL
wall. I would advocate that Pea
Harbor developments be commenced ;
as early date as possible, so that the.
advantages may come soon.
In this connection, would mentic
that if the west side of the Harb,
could be dredged so that it could
made available for freight steamers
having several of the projections und
water removed sugar and other m
terials could be shipped direct to Il
Coast so that quite saving would
made by way of Honolulu charges
paid at present time.