Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-13
WARTIME NEWS OF 90 YEARS AGO
Arguments For Navy Yard the Thames River - Fresh Water Timber and Granite in Plentiful Supply - War Time Widow Eoped-Jarnes A. Bill of Lyme Elected President of County Agricultural Society.

The following are extracts from the Bulletin of fifty years ago:
 Dec. 2, 1863.-The New London Navy Yard company have issued a pamphlet addressed to the senators and representatives in congress, can Vassing the whole question of the Navy Yard. and setting forth the pre- eminent claims of New London for a construction yard and naval station The principal arguments urged against 1t by the secretary of the navy. are discussed These were the want O. defensfbility and the lack of fresh water. They quote various military authorities who concur with Gen. Cullum that mo harbor in the United States is more susceptible of defence against the entrance of a fleet than New London"
 AS to the supply of fresh water, the report of a select committee of the Connecticut legislature is quoted to show that the water of the river Thames is fresh to a point within three or four miles of the proposed Navy Yard and that below this point, and including the waters opposite the proposed site the water lis not salt, but only brackish and is destructive to to worms and marine constacea. Cards are given from Capt Samuel Hebron of New London and Capt. Eben Nor gan of GrotOn certifying that vessels have frequently filled their casks with fresh dater for a voyage from the of the navy yard A certificate is added from Robertson & Bingham ard from Oliver Woodwork of Waterford of the capacity of their reservoir on AIewive stream to furnish the docks of the proposed navy yard with con stant supply of fresh water.
 Coal and Iron.
 The document next takes up the question of coal and iron. It shows that the best iron can be transported to New London as cheaply as to Phil adelphia. As to coal, it appears thar the advantage which rests with Phil adelphia is slight and applies ill the main to the inferior qualities
 Little Closed To Navigation.
 With regard to Instructions anj dangers from foe it is ConclusiVely shown and sustained by documentary evidence that the Thames has in finitely the advantage of the Delaware, the latter river being closed to naVi gation or seriously Obstructed by ice during the severe weather, while the former is always open when the Sound itself is unobstructed.
 Ship Timber and Granite.
 Ample documents are appended from P St. M Andrews superinten dent of the NOTWICh GZ worcester IL. R. and from Mystic shipbuilders as to the extensive supplies of superior ship timber which are found in the vicinity of New London.
 One other consideration is added that of granite for the building pur poses of the yard. This is not only found in abundant quantities at the very spot proposed for the navy yard, but the Millstone quarries, situated about five miles from New London are capable of supplying any defic iency to an unlimited extent. Indeed, the question of a supply of building stone would appear superfuous to anyone acquainted with the country around New London but as the point was raised by a Philadelphia com rnittee. the New London committee have thought proper to allude to ii.
 Husband Home Too Late.
 John Keenan. a boot and shoe maker of East Main street, eioped ] few days since with Mrs. Ringrose, war widow, and a, neighb0r of his. She left three children behind her. On the morning of the departure of the train. MT. Ringrose arrived home from his regiment Too late he came.
 Dec. s, 1863-The captured blockade runner Annie took her departure from our waters on Saturday, to New London enroute to New York where she is to be turned over to govern ment service.