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

meut.s decision to recommend to con-
gress the location Of large craving
dock at Pensacola, the board recon-
mends the immediate reopening Of the
naval station, and that its develop
ment for the purpose Of making 1t a
first class navy yard be undertaken
at once
"10s. Should the department decide
as It's policy not to recommend the To-
cation OF a large craving dock at this
place, the board recommends that the
station remain closed.
400. A. the buildings at this sta
ton could net be satisfactorily adapt
ed to barracks for marines, and were
| it possible in the case of certain
buildings to effect such adaptation. it
could only be accomplished by the re-
moval OF the machinery from the
buildings. thus despoiling the station
as an Industrial plant; therefore 1t
| is not recommended. The board re-
cornmends that, whether or not this
station be reopened / n the near fu-
ture. the machinery plant, be not dis
mantled until q first class repair plant
Ia proximity 70 the Caribbean sea 10
assured
a1os. che board IN aaaareserveasv -.
and only site practitnble on the gulf
kaf Mexico for navy yard OF the
INST class.
| MINORITY Recommendations.
| The minority recommendations fol-
low:
Minority recommendation of the
board or inspection for shore stations
| OF the navy department as to the Pen.
sacola navy yard Signed by Rear
Admiral John r. Edwards, q. 9. N,
/ s110. The Pensacola naval station
possesses too many Industrial, military
and strategic advantages to be prima.
rily utilized as either a military con-
centration camp or assembling point
for embarlxing expeditionary forces. It
could undoubtedly be utilized advan-
tageous1y for both purposes. but the
housing OF troops in the several in
dustrial buildings would impair both
the usefulness and possibilities OF the
station TO a serious extent. The ex
tended waterfront OF the station, its
possible pier and dock development.
It's depth OF channel. together with
Its extensive anchorage facilities,
make this station too valuable ami
important, from a naval standpoint,
possibilities to be subordinated, or se-
riously impaired, by primarily using
the site for the auartering OF troops.
since the housing OF troops in the In
dustria1 shops would either necessi-
tate the removal OF the machine tools
from the buildings or result in their
eventual serious injury and ruin.
Dock 10 Practicable.
as r@ts
the bureau OF yards and docks that
the character OF the foundation con-
ditions at Pensacola permits the con-
struction OF granite dock capable OF
receiving battleships of the Pennsyl-
vania class. The advisability OF
building such q dock at the station,
therefore, should be given early con-
sideration by the department. In
view, however. OF the navy depart
ment's experience Of late years in the
construction of naval docks Ii is
| strongly recommended that the bureau
| OF yards and docks be directed not
only &c make further extended sound
| ings to not the character or the ap-
preach TO any proposed site. but that
numerous pipes or piles be driven to
determine the nature Of the ground
where excavatio n would have to be
done. The preparation Of well-matur-
| ed plans biased upon extensive and
absolutely reliable information con-
corning the character of the proposed
| dock foundation. as well as the ap-
proach TO the suggested dock) should
likewise be Immediately commenced.
| s'1I7. II q craving dock can be sue
cessfully built at Pensacola without
mourning unusually large expenti-
| lures. an appropriation should be re-
| Qussted from the congress for q dock
| capable OF receiving a battleship of
| the super dreadnaught class.
IFS. When. there Is considered the
time required to make soundings and
| determine foundation conditions for a
modern craving dock. the work Of
preparing general and detailed plans
| and specifications. the delay encount-
cred in advertising and analyzing
bids. and particularly the lengthy per-