The Washington herald., 1913-09-04
Big navy YARDS
MAY Have TO CD
Special Board Finds New
York and Boston Areas
Too Restricted.
DRYDOCK FOR NORFOLK
Extensive improvements Recommend
ed-Seeretary Has Not Passed
on the Report.
DRYDOCK FOR NORFOLK

The basis for a broad constructive pol
icy, with regard to the development and
maintenance of navy yards on the Allan
tic Coast, is contained in the report OF a
special board of inspection, made public
at the Navy Department yesterday.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels has not
yet indicated whether he is going to ac-
cept the recommendations of the board
as a foundation for the policy of his ad-
ministration with respect to shore sta
tions for the navy, so the significance of
the boards report has not yet been de-
Iermined.
One Of the most important findings of
the board is the conclusion that the aban-
donment of the New York, and probably
the Boston, yards must be looked forward
to as a necessity Of the not distant fu-
ture. The probable necessity of the
abandonment of these yards. because of
their too rstricted area, and other dis
advantages, is not, in the boards opinion,
any reason for disseminating the develop
ment Of those yards so as to bring them
up TO the highest possible state Of eff
cheney.
Aren Too Restricted.
The board found several weaknesses in
prime defect of a too restricted area,
which. IL finds, makes Tirst-c!ass develop
ment impossible. The difficulties of get
ting the dreadnaughts into the yard, and
the impussibility Of 4 large battleship
getting into the yard at night, are seri-
GUS defects. the board finds. These de-
fects, the board believes, could be in part
remedied by certain harbor improvements
and lights on certain ranges. 1t also rec
nR Of No 2 dTy-
dock anG faTOrs a rearrangement so as
TO get more docking and berth space.
Similar weaknesses are found in the Bos-
ton yard.
OF the Philadelphia yard the board says
that more adequate storage buildings are
required if the yard is to be brought up
TO standard as the site of an advanced
eXpeditionary base. There are not suf-
ficient storage accommodations for pat
terms, nor for fleet supplies, in the opinion
of the board.
At Norfolk the board recommends the
construction of an additional dry dock.
The board points out that there is
greater likelihood of need for uneN-
pected and emergency repairs than at
any other point. and that improvements
are much needed at Norfolk. Extensive
harbor improvements would be neces-
sary along with the increase of dry
dock accommodations, the board finds,
and also more storage facilities and
improved coaling arrangements.
Divide on Southern Yards.
With respect to the Southern yards.
the opinion of the board was, in part,
divided. Admiral Edwards made a mi
nority report in favor of reOpening 1t
once the New Orleans yard. The rest
of the board maintained that a base
for submarines and other torpedo YES
sells could better be established at a
less distance from the mouth of the
river. while all agreed that Pensacola
was the only site on the Gulf coast
really suited for first-class navy yard
capable of accommodate ting first-class
battleships. They recommend the con-
struction of a first-class drydock. ca
pable of taking in the largest vessels
afioat
The Key West station, the board
recommends, should not be improved
at all unless an adequate breakwater
is built TO afford good harbOrage. If
the breakwater is built, the hoard
recommends that the station be used
as a torpedo boat and submarine sta !
Tion.
The board recommends that the |.
Charleston rs. c. station be developed !
for use as an emergency yard by means !
of the allotment of a regular amount |
of work to that yard.