The San Francisco call., 1910-12-05
MEYER FAVORS
BUILDING naval
station in BAY
Secretary Criticises Conditions
at Mare Island and Urges
Better Facilities Here
New Orleans and Cavite Yards
Among Those That Should
Be Closed
More Rapid Promotion and
Higher Grades Than Rear
Admiral Recommended

WVTASHTNGTON. Dec. 4-The
NJ results OF a careful personal
investigation by Secretary
George Won L. Meyer of many Of the
navy yards and naval stations are ap-
parent in certain sweeping recon
meadahons for the abolition of sew
eral Of these and the development oi
others. as set out IN the secretary's
annual report. Just made public.
Secretary Meyer recommends Civ
ing up and disposing of the naval sta
tons at New Orleans. Pensacola. San
Juan. Port Royal New London. Sack
ett's Harbor. Culebra and Cavite He
finds that the average yearly cost OF
maintaining these stations for the last
FIVE years has been Sl,672,675. while
very little useful work has been per
formed therein.
On the Pacific coast Meyer finds
the Bremerton yard at q disadvantage
through its lack Of railroad communi-
cation and IFS distance from any large
supply of labor.
But its further development is re-
zarded as a necessity IN view OF the
fact thar the feet at some time after
the opening o. the Panama canal may
te based in the Pacific ocean.
Mare Island Criticised
-- ,~-. r-r,--z -,,.--- -z l. -
serely criticised, for its inaccessibility.
both on account Of its great distance
n san Francisco and the shallow
ress Of the channel The muddy water
OF the san Pablo bay is also said TO
work havoc with the condensers OF the
warships No battleship injured in
action could be taken to Mare Island
even for temporary repairs. nor could
the yard be reached by a number of
the heavy battIeships or heavy cruisers
even when uninjured. But as $4,000
600 already has been spent on this yard,
Meyer believes that IN order to avoid
e total loss 81 would be wise to utilize
ii for such vessels as can reach 1t and
also for such manufacturing and re-
pair work for the larger vessels as can
readily be sent 10 the navy yard and
returned 10 the vessels lying in San
Francisco bay.
Bay Station Needed
Looking TO the future. Meyer says:
After study OF this question
and personal inspection OF Mare
island and the available sites on
san Francisco bay. conclude that
A. viii be necessary to establish a
docking and repair station for
battleships on San Francisco bay
IN some locality yet to be selected.
have examined several locations,
which are now being considered.
Such a repair station should in
cIude one or more docks OF the
larger size. with ample depth OF
water for taking our largest exist
ing and contemplated battleships,
\ and such additional repair facili-
les as may be necessary for the
repair of the damaged hulls OF
battleships. The docks would al
ways be used for taking the larg-
est vessels Of the navy and the
facilities for repair should be lin
tied 10 what IS absolutely neces-
sarv for the repair Of a damaged
battleship. This matter viii be
taken UP and further recommenda-
tion made when the best course
IS decided on.
Unless the deep water battle
ship repair station is established
at san Francisco the fleet must
inevitably depend upon the Puget
sound navy yard for its docking
and repair. While this fact seems
beyond question. il must be pointed
out that il viii not do 10 depend
upon one navy yard alone for dock
ing and repair facilities for the
battleship feet
Cuba the Best Base
Never discusses the strong points
and stiortcomings Of the various yards
~ length and incidentally he points
out that the United States has twice a.
many navy yards as Great Britain
with q navy at least double the size
~ ours Touching the New orleans
Yard. il is said that its position 100
miles UP the Mississippi river is such
that in time OF war no large vessels
should be sent there on account OF the
danger Of the passes being blocked
The Pensacola navy yard is condemned
as Impossible OF fortihcation and a.
strategicauy unnecessary.
The secretary believes that the gull
and south Atlantic coasts can best b'
deN led by an effective naval station
al = guantanamo. Cuba, where th'