New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-04
Will Be Forced to Yield Like
One at Boston to "lmpellIng
Demand of Commerce"
MORE DRYDOCKS NEEDED
Portsmouth and Pensacola Rec.
commended as Most Desir-
able Sites for Facilities
of This Kind.
[From The Tribune Bureau J


Washington. Sent 3-The Secretary OF
the Navy is in receipt Of several reports
from the board Of inspection for shore
stations. which has been making an eX-
haustive examination Of the navy yard AT
Brooklyn and all other naval stations on
the Atlantic Coast. Secretary Daniels has
I'm contemplation sending this board to
Investigate the navy yard at Mare Island,
Cal. and at Bremerton. Wash.
In the meantime the material gathered
will provide the text for some recon-
mendations TO Congress in the Secretarys
forthcoming annual report. and which VII!
be made by him when he appears before
the committee at the beginning OF the
next regular session The board has
pointed out what IL regards as an alarm
ing state of affairs in the distinctly i'm
portant weakness Of our naval stations
located north Of cape Hatteras' in the
lack OF sufficient drydocks and berthing
slips Additional drydocks on the North
Atlantic Coast are held essential for the
needs Of the fleet.
one OF the places suggested as site
for two additional drydocks. is the
Portsmouth. y H.. navy yard. Consd-
Grafton was given the facilities AT New
York. but some question has arisen as
to the opportunities there for increased
docking accommodations. The board mas
taken up the problem in a general way
and in its report to Mr. Daniels says:
THE efficient location and construc-
ton Of a modern naval dock involves
I'm its accomplishment important consid-
Grafton. such as waterfront conditions.
character of excavation required. to-
gether with adequate space for the opera
ton Of heavy travelling cranes and
facilities for the expeditions, efficient and
economical handling OF stores and mate
rial The contingency is not altogether
remote that tho navy will require trans
ports Of character that approach In
size some Of the largest ocean liners.
The usefulness Of such vessels for ex
tended service might become impaired
II the navy did not possess at least two
docks of sufficient capacity 10 dock them,
SO that there would always be assurances
that one dock, AT least would be avail
able for emergency occasions.
The board considers that the dock
problem is one that is OF paramount i'm
portance 70 the future efficiency Of the
fleet We shall probably require more
modern docks I'm the future than now APP
pears necessary under conditions wherein
the feet is locked according TO sched-
ulc that permits every vessel OF each di-
vision 10 be locked In turn. The de-
mands Of war would not permit vessels
10 be docked I'm such manner. II is a
matter also OF military Importance In
connection with the study OF the dock
problem that the fact should he we'll un-
derstood that modern dreadnaught
could be built in less time than would he
required in constructing a dock capable
Of making all necessary repairs TO such a
vessel"
Rear Admiral John r, Edwards. Cap
tain Harold +. Norton and Captain
George r. Evans comprised the board
which made the report on the New York
Navy Yard. In this report the possibil
ity OF moving the New York yard 20
some other place is discussed. II is
pointed out that the possibility Of terri
torial expansion OF the New York yard il
limited. \ report submitted some time
AGO by Captain L. :. Van Duser is men
toned and consideration OF II is recon-
mendcd. The board says that the over
shadowing need OF the New York yard
is modern ship-ftting shops An expen-
dlture Of 500 600 is recommended for the
purpose.
The navy yards at New York and Bos
ton probably Will have to be abandoned
i'm the not distant future as result
OF the impeling demand OF commerce"
saws the board. but that Is held TO be no
more reason FOR arresting development OF
the yards at those places than it would be
logical to neglect to repair the battle |
ships now In commission"
Reopening of the Pensacola naval sta /
ton. with construction Of mammoth !
DIS dock and repair facilities, capable Il
caring for ships i'm the Caribbean Sea and |
on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, |
is recommended.