New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-11
In ARMY AND NAVY
Wants Brooklyn Drydoch 700
Feet Long.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington, February u
DRY DOCK POLICY.-Thc Navy De-
psrtment is making special effort 10 OBJ
tain from the House Naval Committee
some assurance of legislation which will
authorize the enlargement of dry dock No
l. now in course of construction under con-
tract in Brooklyn, so as to give it
length of 100 feet Secretary Never, in
special hearing before the committee has
emphasized the necessity of possessing in
formation at the earliest possible moment,
mainly in order that the contractor may
make certain necessary changes III the
work and arrange for the delivery or the
additional material required, The sub-com-
mittee which has charge OF this particular
item, has decided In favor of the enlarge
ment of the dock at New York, and will
recommend 10 the full committee similarly
favorable action on the other recommen-
dations of the Secretary for the lengthen-
ing of the drydock at Pearl Harbor and
the widening OF the drydock al Puset
Sound
It is 4 question. however, whether the
committee will adopt the suggestion for An
entirely new dock at the Norfolk navy
ward II was at first proposed that the
cock al Norfolk which has been in use
fo,. YEAR OF more. should be enlarged. and
the problem was referred by the Secre-
tary to the General Board. which has made
a report showing that the location of that
dock in its relation 10 the approach makes
il inadvisa bic 10 increase its dimensions. as
ii would he difficult. If not impossible. TO
swing into position TO enter the dock
vessel larger than Will now he accomno-
dated by that structure.
The desire of the House Naval Commit
tee on the subject OF drydocks is TO es
-l,e of
structures which Will anticipate, so far
as practicable future increase in battleshlp
displacement
The civil engineers are now designing
docks with an end which makes their en-
largcnent easier than in the case of the
old form of dock. At New York. as AT
other places the dimensions are somewhat
regulated as to width ny the breadth Of
the locks of the Panama Canal-l10 feet
and as to depth by the average draft at
Which ships may enter most other har-
horS-S5 feet. 1t VIII be possible TO have
dock 10; more than 81 feet deep. which
oontemplates vessels of 50 feet draft, with
an allowance for increased draft in case
OF injury. To some extent, it is held by
naval experts that battleship size is des-
tined to be regulated by the drydock
dimensions. as influenced potently by the
width OF the Panama Canal locks.
The Navy Department is also favorably
disposed toward the proposed legislation
for two floating docks. although with the
drydock enlargement recommended by Mr..
Meyer. there is little chance that Congress
will provide at this session for these in
dependent and mobile structures The next
floating docks 10 he built by the govern
ment will be the largest in the world. &C
cording 10 the present plans. They will
provide for the accommodation of vessels
Of s. coo tons displacement. which the naval
designers say is looking sufficiently far
ahead
MILITARY ACADEMY RILI1-Improye-
ments and additions to the buildings at
West Point are assured by the Military
Academy appropriation bill. which has 5ecn
ordered reported by the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs. Tho bill carries an appropria-
ton OF = 60 n00 for new buildings which
will be used in addition to the 81, 700 900 APP
propriated at the last session of Congress.
In last years bill an appropriation of
$1,000 made for the erection for a
hotel n West Point That sum was not
expended and is withdrawn this year In
stead. the Secretary Of War is authorized
10 spend not more than $4,000 in the pur-
chase Of Ladyciff Lodge formerly Gran
Ston's Hotel, for this purpose. This years
bill carries total appropriation Of =. 81
80. The measure last year appropriated
s.. .52l.