The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-09-03

craving docks that should be pro-
vided at New York, Norfolk and Pu-
get Sound, it would appear that more
super dreadnaught docks should be
provided at certain points on the At
lantic coast, and particularly at Phila-
delphia, Charleston and Pensacola, as
well as at Guantanamo. AT least two
more such docks are needed in the Pa
cific. Even should an appropriation
from henceforth be secured, at each
succeeding session OF the congress, for
one additional dock, an interval Of at
least ten years would elapse before
the last Of the docks that we urgently
need would be completed.
"12o. AS regards the large grav
ing dock at Panama, this dock woula
probably give preference to the mer-
chant vessels passing through the ca
nal, and Particularly to those In nea1
Of urgent repairs. The possibility of
the serious impairment If not the de-
struction of this dock, taking into con-
sideration its location, ought to make
us somewhat appref1ensive as to whe-
Their it will reliably serve all the far
reaching purposes that prompted it's
construction.
A Serious Problem.
s121. The naval dry dock problem
is an exceedingly serious one, when
judged from either an industrial, mill
tary. or strategical standpoint It can
be reasonably expected that there will
be periods when every large dock,
wherever located, will, from some un-
avoidable cause, be temporarily un-
servfceable. Then again, particular
docks may be required for extended
periods in the repair of disabled bat
ueships. The question is thus well
worthy OF special consideration as to
whether military interests would not
be suhserved by DETECTING the appro-
priation for one battleship to that OF
the CONSTITUENCIES of four dry docks
structures that are now urgently re-
quired. 1t Is wei Ito remember, also,
that a battleship can be completed IN
less time than is required to build a
dock, and that it is exceedingly prob
able that battleships could be pur-
chased in advance of a formal declar-
alton Of war
''122. The problem of the craving
dock ought to be the determining fac
tor as regards the advisability or ne
cessity of developing the naval station
at Pensacola. II no dock is to be built
the station should be permanently
closed. Should the department decide
upon a policy of not recommending
the building of large craving dock
at Pensacola it Is recommended that
the station be closed, and that all the
machinery now Installed in the indus
trial shops be shipped to other navy
yards, where the appliances could lie
NV hot
unavoidable deterioration to which
such machinery must now be sub
jected.
1923. In the event of the depart.
ment's decision to recommend to con-
gress the construction of a large gray-
ing dock at Pensacola, (and such att
ion is unaualifedly and unhesitatingsy
recommended, providing foundation
conditions are favorable1 the immedi-
ate reopenfng of the station should be
directed, and gradual but progress
sive and thoughtful development as
regards the erection Of buildings and
installation of appliances should be
outlined. A commissioned offacer
should be ordered as commandant,
and there should be associated with
him the necessary assistants to re-
open the station in an eficient and
economical manner. All unexpended
appropriations made for the station
should be used for the purpose IN
tended
ia It should be understood thar,
in view OF the character and condi-
ton OF some of the Industrial build
ings, and considering the extent and
nature Of certain shop equipment, ad-
ditional appropriations OF eonsidera-
BILE extent viii be required to properly
and efficiently reopen the station
Mrs Z C:1~o