Evening star., 1936-08-16
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

OUot Ildll CCllIlly dSO OCSlCtoAy
William c. Whitney. Secretary of the
H. Navy, issued an order for
naval uun the establishment of an
Foundry. ordnance foundry at the
Washington Navy Yard,
effective october /. The Star of August
II. 1886, says:
THE decision of the Navy Depart
ment to establish the Government ord
nance works in this city is of course,
highly gratifying to the Washington
public, but, more than that, it will COM
mend itself to the approval Of the whole
country. Already, with insufficient IA
cilitieS, the Navy Yard here has turned
out much firSt-claSS work in the ord
nance line, and when the establishment
is fully and literally equipped, as it will
be, the probability is that no better work
can be produced anywhere in the world.
The executive departments, the Army
and Navy officials and the congressman
generally are unit in agreeing upon the
advantages of this location for the pur-
pose. 1t is near the fuel supply, con-
venient for the Government and for
transportation by land and water and
at the same time safe from attack by
inimical powers. AS to the advantage
which will accrue to the District itself
from this decision, it will be superfuous
to multiply words. In place of num-
Der of idle and comatose bureaus, the
yard will have hereafter two in active
and healthy operation. More officers and
men will be employed than ever before
and many outside industries will feel
the benefit of the change. Altogether
it is matter for hearty congratulation
in every respect"
A tunnel for the conveyance of water
impounded at Great Falls for the Cap
ital'S supply to reservoir
dqueuuct south of the Soldiers
Tunnel. Home was under con-
struction so years ago.
Question arose as to the necessity of
lining it with masonry to prevent leak
age through the assures in the rock in
which it was driven. BY act of Congress
a board of Army Engineers was appointed
to examine the tunnel, composed of Gems.
Duane, Abbot, and Comstock. The Star
of August 10, 1886, says:
THE Board of Army Engineer Officers
made very thorough inspection of the
tunnel for the new aqueduct yesterday
for the purpose of recommending the
best lining to be used, as authorized by
Congress. They began their tour of
inspection at 10 o'clock in the morning,
entering the tunnel at the Champlain
avenue shaft, accompanied by Maj.
Lydecker and the superintendent of the
work. and made a careful examination
of the work for the distance of miles
to the westward. They then returned
and examined the half mile of the
tunnel which is completed to the east
of the Champlain avenue shaft. They
subsequently visited the new reservoir,
the examination of which came within
the duties assigned them. The board
returned to the aqueduct Office at 3
o'clock in the afternoon and helo a
meeting which lasted until half past 4
o'clock. They exchanged views on the
work and the character of the lining
most desirable and then adjourned, hav-
ing performed their duty with the ex-
ception of preparing their official re-
port, which will be done in New York.
Maj. Lydecker entertained the members
of the board at his residence last evening.
Nothing can be learned as to the results
of the boards Investigations and the
consequent recommendations, but 1t Is
believed that they will favor the adop-
ton of a lining which, although expen-
sive, will be enduring and will obviate
the necessity of repairs in the near fu-
ture"
The work of lining the tunnel was
subsequently undertaken in accordance
with the recommendations of the Army
Engineers, but it was so inadequately
executed that scandal developed which
led to the court-martial of the officers
in charge and the prosecution of the
contractors for civil damages. Great
holes were left between the lining and
the original cut, hidden from view by
false walls, the later filling of which
added greatly to the cost of the work.