property, about 30 acres, to the government for $40,000; in 1824 the piece of land now occupied by the U. S. Naval Hospital, some 35 acres, was purchased for $7650, and in 1848 the intervening portion was obtained for $285,000; finally, in 1867, an irregular piece of land on the northwest corner was bought for $90,000. Excepting the hill on which the commandant's house stands, and that where the hospital is built, this property was originally little more than a mud flat. Immediately after the purchase in 1801, Lieut. Jonathan Thorne was ordered in charge, and remained until 1806, nothing being done meanwhile to improve the property. He has been succeeded by the following commandants, who took charge at the dates mentioned: Captain Isaac Chauncey, 1806. Captain Samuel Evans, 1812. Captain Isaac Chauncey again in 1824. 1870. Commodore George H. Cooper, May, 1880. In 1806-7 the present commandant's house was built, 6 brick buildings for store-houses and offices were commenced, and by the sale of chips money was obtained to build the stone embankments to the terraces on the hill. During the war of 1812 over 100 vessels were fitted for sea, supplied with stores, etc. In 1829 the "Fulton," the first steam war-vessel, which had been built in 1815, was accidentally destroyed by the explosion of her magazine while she was at anchor off the yard. Among other vessels launched were the " Ohio," in 1820; the "Savannah," begun in 1822, but not launched until 1842; the notorious brig "Somers," in 1842; and the ill-fated "Albany," in 1846. The stone drydock, begun in 1841, was not finished until 1851. It is built of granite, and cost $2,113,173; its main chamber is 285 by 35 feet at the bottom and 307 by 98 feet at the top, and its depth is 36 feet; it can be emptied by steam-pumps in 24 hours. During the civil war 14 vessels were built and over 400 fitted out; the number of men employed increased from 1650 in 1861 to over 6000 in 1863; and in 1865 an average of 5000 was employed, and the pay-roll was $3,952,000, work never ceasing day or night; at present there are about 600 workmen. Since the war but two new vessels have been built, the "Trenton" and the torpedo ram "Alarm," but many improvements have been made, and some fine buildings added; the streets have been graded, paved, and sewered, and hundreds of trees planted; the Cob Dock has been made attractive with trees, grass, and flowers, and Sailors' Hall built for the accommodation of the recruits on the receiving-ships. It has bath-rooms and a barber-shop on the lower floor, and a library, reading-room, and stage for amateur performances on the upper. The Naval Lyceum, founded by officers in 1833, is one of the attractions of the yard. It has a library of 5000 volumes, a large collection of curiosities, and valuable cabinets of coins, minerals, etc. On the eastern side of the yard is the naval hospital, a fine building, with a capacity for 500 patients. In the same grounds are the naval laboratory and the naval cemetery. The marine barracks, with their parade-ground, cover 6 acres, and have accommodations for 750 men. The old line-of-battle ship "Vermont" and the steam-frigate "Colorado" are used as receiving-ships, and are moored to the Cob Dock; they can berth 2000 men. The whole number of buildings in the yard, including 2 ship-houses and 10 houses for officers, is over 80. The yard fire department includes 2 steam fireengines and a complete system of fire-alarm telegraph. For a fuller account of the New York Navy-Yard, see "Lecture by Commodore J. W. A. Nicholson before the Long Island Historical Society," from which much of this article is compiled.-F. Hanford, Lieutenant U.S.N. Navy-yard, League Island, Pa., is situated on League Island, in the Delaware River, the western extremity of the island being nearly opposite the mouth of the Schuylkill River, and it extends easterly about 2 miles; the extension of Broad Street, of the city of Philadelphia, would pass nearly across the centre of the island, and the main entrance of the yard is at the foot of that street. The entire island, which is now the property of the government, consists of,area within dikes, 410 acres; area between the banks of the back channel, 305.5 acres; area between the back channel and Government Avenue (the northern boundary-line of the property), 37.25 acres; area outside of dikes to wharf-line, 170.25 acres; making in the aggregate an area of 923 acres. The dikes are absolutely necessary, as the natural surface of the island is about 34 feet below high-water mark; the land is also ditched, and the ditches connect with tide-gates, so that any water accumulating from rains or other sources passes out at low-tide. Owing to the recent establishment of this yard very few buildings have been erected as yet. At the main entrance on the right is a porter's lodge, and on the left a guard-house; the other buildings on the right of the main avenue are a very neat and attractive residence lately occupied by the civil engineer of the yard, the surgeon's office, commandant's office, naval constructor's offices and shops. The ship-house, which was blown down by a severe storm about two years ago, has not yet (1880) been rebuilt. The machine-shops, gun-park, and stables are on the left side of the main avenue. The quarters of the marine guard of the yard are located in the hull of the frigate "Antietam." The location of this yard is admirably adapted for ship-building and repairing, as it has sufficient depth of water on the river front to float the largest vessels in the navy, and it should certainly have a sufficient amount of money appropriated by Congress to make it one of the finest navy-yards in the world. Navy-yard, Mare Island, Cal. This navy yard is situated on Mare Island, which forms a portion of the eastern side of San Pablo Bay, its southernly end making the intersection of the Strait of Carquinez and Mare Island Strait. The former is the outlet of the two largest rivers of California, the Sacramento and San Joaquin, and the latter constitutes the improved front of the navy-yard, as well as that of the city of Vallejo, on the opposite shore, and also the outlet of the Napa Creek, which drains the fertile valley above. The distance from San Francisco is 26 miles. The island is about 24 miles long, with an area of about 1000 acres of upland, to which may be added some 2000 acres of tule land adjoining it on the north, also belonging to the United States. The highest point of the island has an altitude of 280 feet. The soil has a rocky foundation, very suitable to sustain the weight of the heavy structures required in a naval dock-yard. The position is well adapted for a naval station. The harbor is completely land-locked, easy of access, with excellent anchorage, deep water, large capacity, and is free from the teredo and other destructive marine worms. It is well located for protection in war, being within the defenses of the harbor of San Francisco. It is convenient of access by land, as the railroad systems of the Pacific coast form a focus on the shore of the Strait of Carquinez, 1 mile distant from the island. The principal structures are: The sectional dock, which has been used for raising the largest vessels during the past 25 years. The stone dry-dock, now in course of construction, of capacity sufficient for docking the largest ships. The foundry and machine-shop. The construction workshops. The smithery. The blacksmith's shops. The sail-loft. The rigging-loft. The yards and docks workshops. The iron-plating shop. The saw-mill and the timber-shed, all of large capacity and well adapted to the purposes for which they were designed. The office building, in which the commandant's and other offices are located, occupies a prominent position. The officers' quarters, including the residence of the commandant, are built on a beautiful avenue some distance from the water front. The navigation store-house, and the ordnance store-houses and magazines, are well located, and kept in a high state of efficiency. The marine barracks and U. S. naval hospital are eligibly located on the island. The report of the Secretary of the Navy, 1878, shows the approximate value of property belonging to the navy at this yard to be $7,181,720.78, and his report for 1879 remarks: "The great importance of this yard commends it to the special consideration of Congress. It being the only one on our Pacific coast, it is the exclusive representative of the Department in repairing vessels attached to the Pacific and Asiatic Squadrons." The navy-yard was established on this island in the year 1854, Admiral (then Commander) D. G. Farragut having assumed command in September of that year. The following is a list of commandants and date of assuming command: Commander D. G. Farragut, September 16, 1854. Captain R. B. Cunningham, July 16, 1858. Captain David McDougal, March 13, 1861. Captain W. H. Gardner, June 5, 1861. Captain Thomas O. Selfridge, May 27, 1862. Captain D. McDougal, October 17, 1864. Commodore T. T. Craven, September 5, 1866. Commodore James Alden, August 1, 1868. Captain Reed Werden, March 17, 1869. Rear-Admiral T. T. Craven, April 15, 1869. Commodore J. R. Goldsborough, January 1, 1870. Commodore E. G. Parrott, April 15, 1871. Rear-Admiral T. O. Selfridge, September 3, 1872. Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, July 3, 1873. Commodore E. R. Colhoun, April 17, 1877. The following vessels were reported at this navy-yard in July, 1880, viz.: "Mohican," rebuilding; "Monadnock," rebuilding; "Benicia," in ordinary; "Independence," receivingship; "Cyane," in ordinary; "Iroquois," under repairs; "Saco," in ordinary; "Narragansett," in ordinary; "Camanche," in ordinary; "Nyack," in ordinary; "Monterey," tug in yard service; "Mohican" (old), in ordinary; "Monadnock" (old), in ordinary; "Monongahela," in ordinary; Ranger," ," under repairs; "Tuscarora," under repairs; and the flag-ship "Pensacola."―E. R. Colhoun, Commodore U.S. N. Νο Navy-yard (Gosport), Norfolk, Va. navy-yard belonging to the United States, from its geographical position, is more important than that at Gosport, Va. Located near enough to the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay to be easily accessible, it is, at the same time, in a position readily defended from attacks either by land or by water, and, as has been repeatedly shown, can be held by a small force against a very largely superior one. There is in the vicinity an abundant supply of timber and other material, while the close proximity of a populous city secures to it the command of all the skilled labor that can be required. Such is the mildness of the climate, that work of all sorts can be carried on at all seasons of the year without interruption. Hampton Roads, the outer harbor, is an excellent point of rendezvous for a fleet or squadron. A glance at the map will demonstrate the very great importance of a naval station in this vicin ity. The Chesapeake, with its navigable tributaries, penetrates into the heart of several of the richest States in the Union, reaching to the national capital. A foothold in its waters would, therefore, be of the utmost strategic importance to an invading enemy, and would probably be one of the earliest objects sought by them, as past history has fully shown. The width of the entrance of the bay is so great that it would be impossible to defend it except by a naval force, which should have a repairing, coaling, and victualing station as near at hand as possible, consistent with entire defensibility for itself, with a reasonably secure outer harbor, large enough for the necessary manœuvres of a squadron in getting under way and forming. All of these conditions are admirably filled by the location of the Gosport Yard. Just before the breaking out of the war of the Revolution, the British established a marine yard, for the use of their navy, on the site of the present navy-yard at Gosport (as that portion of Portsmouth has always been called), having, as is stated in a letter now on file in the Navy Department, written in 1824, by Miles King, United States navy-agent, selected this point, after a careful survey of all the ports within its dominions in North America, as the most eligible situation for a naval station. The name of Gosport was doubtless taken from Gosport, near Portsmouth, England, where one of the most important of the British dock-yards is located. There is a tradition that this spot had been used for some time by the British as a careening-ground for their ships, but the writer has not been able to find any proof of the fact. Mr. King's letter further states that scarcely had the British government commenced the works when the Revolu tion began, and the yard, together with the adjoining property of Andrew Sprowle, the British navy-agent, became confiscate and forfeited to the State of Virginia. Virginia immediately commenced preparations for establishing a navy, and vigorous measures were adopted to that end. Several vessels were built or purchased. A rope-walk was established, which was probably at Gosport, though it is not certain. The published histories of Virginia and of the U. S. navy are alike singularly silent upon the subject of the Virginia navy, which was employed mainly for the defense of the bays and rivers of the State. Commodore Barron was appointed its commander-in-chief, being styled "Commodore of all the armed vessels of the Commonwealth." His two sons, Samuel and James Barron, and also Richard Dale, all afterwards distinguished officers of the U. S. navy, served under his command. At the conclusion of the war the State navy was disbanded. The marine-yard was retained for the benefit of the Commonwealth, though no use is known to have been made of it until the year 1794. The lands adjoining the yard were sold in 1785. It was lent to the government by the State of Virginia, and was purchased by the United States several years later. Capt. Richard Dale* was appointed superintendent of the yard; Josiah Fox, naval constructor or master-builder; and William Pennock, navy-agent. By an act of Congress passed March 27, 1794, the President had been authorized to procure by purchase or otherwise, equip, and employ to protect our commerce from the Algerines, 4 ships of 44 guns each, and 2 ships of 36 guns each. One of the ships thus authorized was laid down at the Gosport yard. Various causes combined to delay its completion, and at the end of the year 1795 it was still unfinished. In a report of the Secretary of War, dated December 12 of that year, it is stated that about two-thirds of the live-oak frame of the frigate at Norfolk (Gosport) had been received, a part of the planking, the copper for sheathing and fastening, most of the iron-work, the masts and spars, and the most of the other materials necessary were in store or getting ready. The keel had been laid, and part of the frame bolted together ready for raising. Capt. Dale was afterward appointed to the " Ganges," a purchased ship armed as a 24, and which, under his command, was the first vessel of the present navy to get to sea, sailing in May, 1798. On the establishment of peace, early in 1796, between the United States and Algiers, work was suspended upon the ship at this yard, and such of the materials collected as were thought perishable were sold, and the rest put in store, Mr. Pennock, the agent, being employed to take charge of them. In June, 1797, the materials on hand at Gosport were valued at $52,989. In July, orders were sent to Mr. Pennock to recommence work on the frigate at Gosport, for which the name "Chesapeake" had been chosen. During the same month, a brig of 200 tons, which had been built near the navy-yard, by Mr. Herbert, and which was nearly ready for launching, was purchased by the government and fitted out, under the name of "Norfolk." Capt. Thomas Williams, of Norfolk, was appointed superintendent, and afterward commander of the brig, being regularly commissioned in the navy. Mr. Josiah Fox, who had been discharged from the yard upon the suspension of work in March, 1796, was now reappointed as naval constructor, and directed to proceed with the work upon the " Chesapeake," on a plan proposed by himself, by which the size of the vessel was reduced from a 44- to a 36-gun ship. Considerable activity prevailed at the yard during the remainder of the year. A brig was purchased by the citizens of some of the principal towns of Virginia, and presented to the government. It was named the "Richmond," and was fitted out under the command of Capt. Samuel Barron, who had served in the Virginia navy during the Revolution. The vessels of Commodore Truxtun's squadron frequently resorted to the yard for repairs and supplies, and to pay off their crews. We also find that large quantities of bread and of some other articles of provisions were furnished during the year and the next succeeding for other stations. The yard was also made a depot for the supply of masts and spars to cruising-ships, and even to vessels fitting at Baltimore and Philadelphia. By a report submitted to Congress by the Secretary of State, March 2, 1799, it appears that commissions were issued for the district of Norfolk, between July 9, 1798, and January 1, 1799, to 10 private armed vessels, mounting in the aggregate 65 guns. In June, 1799, a brig, called the "Augusta," was purchased and fitted out at Gosport. July 16, 1799, Commodore Samuel Barron was ordered to duty as superintendent of the yard; Mr. Pennock, the agent, not having exercised the degree of economy which the Department desired. In the following month, however, Commodore Barron was detached and ordered to the command of the "Constellation," at New York. The importance of the Gosport yard, particularly as an equipping, recruiting, and victualing station, had now become so well established that the Secretary of the Navy resolved to make it one of the permanent navy-yards of the country. At his suggestion the Legislature of Virginia, by an act dated January 25, 1800, ceded to the United States the property known as Gosport for the purpose of establishing a navy-yard there, such cession to take effect as soon as the value of the property should be ascertained, and the Governor be satisfied that the United States were willing to pay the amount thereof to the Commonwealth. In accordance with the requirements of this act, Thomas Newton, Jr., was appointed on behalf of the State of Virginia, and, by an order dated 7th of April, 1800, Mr. William Pennock was appointed to act on the part of the United States to ascertain, with Mr. Newton, the value of the lands required. In a letter bearing the same date, the Secretary of the Navy enjoined the greatest economy on the part of Mr. Pennock, and informed him that the only funds available, out of which the property could be paid for, were those appropriated for the building the "74-gun ships." He also intimated to Mr. Newton that the less the amount paid for the property the more there would be available for improvements, and suggested $100 per acre as a fair valuation. In a report to the President, dated April 25, 1800, the Secretary, in recommending the establishment of permanent navy-yards, to be the property of the United States, remarks that a large part of the expense of building the frigates arose from handling the timber, owing to the confined space in which it was piled,-enough, he thinks, to have purchased ground and to have improved it. He states that the ground at Gosport had recently been ceded to the United States on condition of the payment of its value, which he hopes will not exceed $2000. To the surprise of the Secretary, the value assigned to the land was $12,000, or $750 per acre. In a letter addressed to Mr. Pennock on the 7th of August, he expresses the opinion that the ground should have been given to the government without charge, but that it must be taken at the valuation named, though he considered it exorbitant. He also directs Mr. Pennock to have prepared plans for improving the timberdock, a creek making up into the yard, and which was then used as such. January 24, 1801, $12,000 were remitted to Mr. John Hopkins, of Richmond, Va., to be paid to the State, as the purchase-money of the Gosport lands, and under date of June 15, 1801, a deed was executed by Governor Monroe, by which the title and jurisdiction of the property were conveyed to the United States. This deed is now on file in the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Navy Department. In a report submitted to the House of Representatives, April 27, 1802, by Mr. Mitchell, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, that gentleman stated that $12,000 had been expended for purchase and $4000 for improvements at Gosport without authority of law. Under date of March 10, 1802, Mr. Mitchell, from the same committee, reported that, in the opinion of the committee, Gosport and Charlestown, Mass., from the improvements already made, and from other circumstances, were the most eligible places for receiving and repairing the ships in actual service; and that, should any additional improvements be necessary at those places, they ought to be made. He also recommended the appointment of suitable persons to make plans for improving those yards, and the appropriation of $50,000 to carry the plans into effect. The $4000 above referred to as having been expended in improvements at Gosport had been used to build a spar-shed, timber-shed, a bridge across a small creek, which separated the yard from the rest of Gosport at that time (outside of where the present north wall stands), and probably in part for wooden wharves along the water front, and a fence around the property. We find mention of vessels laying up, repairing, and fitting out at this yard in 1800, 1801, and 1802. In 1801, a squadron under Commodore Dale fitted out. On the 27th of July, 1801, orders were sent to heave down the Chesapeake for repairs. In October, 1801, a marine-guard was sent to Gosport Yard, and the navy-agent was directed to furnish it with quarters. It is probable that the wooden barrack-building which stood on about the same site that the brick barracks were afterwards built upon was erected for the purpose. In April, 1802, Mr. Pennock recommended the building of a store-house for provisions, etc., within the yard. Up to that time private warehouses had been hired for the use of the navy stores. April 26, 1802, Mr. Pennock was removed, and Daniel Bedinger was appointed navy-agent and superintendent of the navy-yard. In April, 1803, $10,000 were sent to Mr. Bedinger to build a warehouse and a timbershed at Gosport. We find by the correspondence of a little later date that, instead of expending the money for the purpose authorized, Mr. Bedinger built with it, first, a brick wall, beginning a short distance from the water-side, running along the north front of the yard, and down the west side to the creek which formed the southern boundary, and part of which forms the present timber-basin; secondly, a brick dwelling-house for himself within the yard, and which was afterward for many years used as the commandant's house, and, with what money was left, a very indifferent shed for timber, and a warehouse, which afterward had to be taken down to prevent its falling. August 6, 1804, an order was sent to Mr. Bedinger detaching the marine-guard from the navy-yard and ordering it to Washington. In May, 1805, Bedinger was ordered to repair the wharves, which had been represented by a citizen as being much out of order. We find, under date of February 6, 1806, a report from Mr. Thomas Turner, accountant of the navy, in which that gentleman states that $42,748.78 had been expended in improvements and repairs at this yard, and yet, except the wall, scarcely anything of permanent value seems to have been done. The wharves were, and continued to be for many years later, of wood, and, of course, in waters infested with the Teredo navalis, were constantly requiring extensive repairs, and often complete renewal. During the summer of 1806 we find several gunboats and ketches fitting out and laying up, under the direction of Lieut. Arthur Sinclair. On the 28th of November, 1806, Capt. Stephen Decatur was ordered to superintend the building of 4 gunboats at Norfolk. He seems to have superseded Lieut. Sinclair in his duties also, although that officer continued on duty under him. In July, 1807, Mr. Bedinger was ordered to contract for materials for 10 additional gunboats, and, a little later, to contract for building the same. Capt. Decatur was ordered to super intend the construction. We now find Capt. Decatur addressed by the Department as "Commanding naval forces at Norfolk," and he appears to have continued in this command until November, 1811; his force consisted of the frigate "United States," which he himself commanded, and of such gunboats and other vessels as were from time to time put into commission. He appears, however, to have had no immediate charge of the navy-yard, which continued under the control of the navy-agent. In November, 1807, a marine-guard was again ordered to the yard. February 10, 1808, Bedinger's appointment was revoked, and Theodore Armistead appointed in his place as navy-agent and superintendent of the navy-yard. We now find complaints lodged against Bedinger for having used the public wharves and property in repairing his own vessels, though whether these charges were substantiated does not appear. The agents up to this time seem not to have been required to give bonds, and, in fact, to have been held very little responsible for their acts, the Department having no military control over them. In March, 1808, Mr. Armistead was authorized to contract for 50 tons of native hemp, and to have it made into cordage for the navy. The work was done by private manufacturers, however, and not at the yard. In April of the same year authority was sent to Mr. Armistead to build a new timber-shed and a warehouse. In May, 1809, an order was sent to build a powder-magazine in the yard. This stood near the creek, now timber-basin. In June, 1810, on account of the uncertain relations with Great Britain, a small cruising squadron was ordered to Norfolk under the command of Commodore Decatur. July 7 of the same year the Department, having become tired of the practice of operating the navyyard under irresponsible civil_administration, ordered Commodore Samuel Barron as commandant of the yard, the gunboats, the officers, and men. The navy-agent was, however, still continued as purchasing and disbursing agent, and, as such, in charge of "all stores other than military." The following letter, addressed to Commodore Barron by the Secretary of the Navy, is of some interest as being the first instructions to the commandant: "NAVY DEPARTMENT, September 29, 1810. "SIR,-In defining your duties and your authority in the yard at Gosport, it will be sufficient for me to state that all the military stores of every description will be under your care; that the direction of all improvements in the yard and of all reparations to our vessels at the yard are committed to you; and that within the yard you are to have the entire, undivided command. "The navy-agent, as heretofore, will have the charge of all stores other than military, and he must have a warehouse at the yard for their safe-keeping, with perfect liberty of ingress and egress. "PAUL HAMILTON." The house which has been mentioned as having been built by Mr. Bedinger was assigned to Com modore Barron as a residence. It was at the time occupied by the storekeeper or clerk of the yard, an eccentric person of the name of Thomas Dulton, an ex-shipmaster. Although the navyagent was nominally superintendent of the yard, Capt. Dulton had been in immediate charge of it for some years, performing all sorts of offices therein, ringing the bell and mustering the workmen himself. Many singular anecdotes of him are preserved among the traditions of the yard. Commodore Barron had scarcely entered upon his command when, on the 29th of October, 1810, he was overtaken by death. Lieut. Robert Henley, under date of November 10, was ordered to assume temporary command of the yard until a relief should be ordered. In May, 1811, Capt. Samuel Evans was ordered as commandant, and from that time we find lieutenants, masters, medical officers, boatswains, and gunners attached to the yard and to the vessels in ordinary. Capt. Evans continued in command until August 10, 1812, when Capt. John Cassin was ordered to relieve him. Capt. Cassin had, as lieutenant and master-commandant, been for several years attached to the navy-yard at Washington, part of the time as superintendent and part of the time second in command. The Department seems to have regarded him as a valuable dock-yard officer, and the pay and allowances of a captain commanding a separate squadron were given him in his new position, although he was almost the junior captain on the list when ordered to the command. In August, as above stated, Capt. Evans was relieved by Capt. Cassin. Very little of interest occurred during the remainder of the year. In October a blacksmith's shop was erected. By the letters of Capt. Cassin we find that considerable quantities of timber, lumber, and other stores, and of munitions of war, were furnished from time to time from the navy-yard to the army in the vicinity, particularly to the engineer officers, who were erecting fortifications. During the summer, Capt. Cassin's little force was increased by an armed yacht under Lieut. E. P. Kennedy. Early in February, 1813, Capt. Charles Stewart, in the "Constellation," which had fitted out at Washington, in attempting to get to sea, was met by a large force of British ships which were seen entering the Chesapeake as he came abreast the Horseshoe. It being calm when he discovered the enemy, Capt. Stewart kedged the "Constellation" from the Horseshoe to a position in the Elizabeth River, just opposite Fort Norfolk, now the navy magazine. Capt. Stewart now became commanding officer of the station in general by virtue of his seniority, though Capt. Cassin continued to command the gunboat flotilla, and made his reports directly to the Department. The most untiring vigilance, activity, and skill were now required to defend the frigate and flotilla from capture, and at the same time to annoy the enemy as much as possible. Both objects were successfully accomplished. On the 30th of November, 1813, Mr. Jones, the Secretary of the Navy, in answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives calling for information on the subject of navy-yards, submitted, among other papers, the following |