The Navy Eyes the Sound
Federal commissioners officially name Port Orchard as the superior site for a major naval base in the Pacific Northwest.
“Port Orchard holds advantages over all other situations.”
Stories from Bremerton
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Puget Sound Secures the New Navy Yard
Washington State beats Oregon in Senate lobbying, winning the site for the Pacific naval station.
“The time is past when Oregon can contest the entire North Pacific coast, and oppose any improvements which are not to be located within her own borders.”
Suspicious Death of Indigenous Woman Near Charleston
An Indian woman was found dead in a canoe after an evening of drinking; local authorities noted a suspicious head wound.
“The untimely death was bewailed by the Indians all night long with loud and mournful cries, very much to the wonder and discomfort of neighboring residents.”
The Navy Secretary Goes Down Into the Big Hole
Secretary of the Navy Herbert rides the lighthouse tender Manzanita across the Sound to inspect the giant new dry dock at Port Orchard, settles a bitter dispute over how deep to drive the pilings, and dances the night away at the Rainier.
“You have a splendid body of water here and your people ought to be able to make it a great center of ship building.”
The Tragedy at the Bremerton Wharf
A fatal altercation between two naval shipmates reveals the volatility of racial tensions in the maritime workforce.
“The quarrel is said to have originated over some trivial matter, which developed into a deep enmity, accentuated by their racial differences.”
The Iron Vanguard of the Pacific
While the USS Nipsic was an aging relic of a bygone naval era, its arrival at the Puget Sound station in 1892 marked a pivotal, hard-fought milestone in Seattle's rise as a major military port.
“It is true that the Nipsic has seen her best days, that she is a war vessel of an antique type... but this is a beginning, a promise that the time is not distant when the Puget Sound naval station will be a naval station in fact as well as in name.”
The Million-Dollar Dry Dock Across the Sound
At Port Orchard, contractors raced to finish the largest dry dock in America—and boasted it would be third largest in the world.
“When completed the dock will have cost about $1,000,000 and will be the third largest in the world, being exceeded only by two in Italy.”
The Navy's $600,000 Question: Was the Dry Dock Built on Bad Piles?
A special commission of Army engineers is rushed to Puget Sound to test whether the navy's new dry dock was built on bad piling and inferior concrete.
“The government has the best foundation in the world for a dry dock over there, but if the officials want to spoil it they may do it. — Byron Barlow”
A Deadly Struggle in Bremerton
A man attempted to murder a local youth, but in the ensuing struggle, his own weapon turned against him with lethal consequences.
“For the Lord's sake, save me! He is going to kill me!”
The Strategic Choice of Port Orchard
A government commission selects Sinclair Harbor as the ideal location for the Pacific Navy Yard, citing its natural defenses and proximity to Seattle and Tacoma.
“The site is well within any probable line of defense intended to cover the principal cities of Puget Sound and is favorably situated to support that line of defense while remaining secure from attack by a naval force.”
Breaking Ground for the Port Orchard Dry Dock
After years of lobbying and survey work, the construction of the Puget Sound Naval Station's massive dry dock officially begins with a ceremony led by Commandant Wyckoff.
“He spoke glowingly, as he always does, of the wonderful resources, beauty and possibilities of the Sound country.”
The Navy’s Selective Morality in Bremerton
A local publisher argues that the Navy Department is unfairly targeting Bremerton for anti-alcohol crackdowns while ignoring similar conditions at major East Coast yards.
“I don't see why the department has made fish of one town and flesh of another.”
The Expansion of Bremerton’s Navy Yard
Captain Barclay requests four million dollars to build a massive new dry dock, citing the urgent future needs of the Puget Sound station.
“It is conceded that another dock is needed at the Puget Sound yard but the secretary of the navy heretofore has not seen fit to encourage further improvements.”
The Dry Dock That Put Puget Sound on the Navy's Map
Senator Squire adds $75,000 to complete the Port Orchard dry dock, a strategic win for Pacific cruisers and a lasting boost for Puget Sound.
“With all the great naval and commercial interests on the Pacific, the United States has only one dry dock.”
Navy Yard Expansion Promises Jobs Boost
Extensive repairs planned for three major naval vessels at Bremerton are expected to increase the local workforce significantly by mid-summer.
“This may require an increase of the working force at the yard from its present number of 1,100 to 1,900 men.”
The Dual Life of Bremerton’s Mayor
A federal inquiry into whether an electrician-turned-mayor could serve two masters while policing the local saloon trade.
“His attitude was in favor of carrying out the police regulations in the interest of good government.”
The Tragic End of the Steamer Ellis
A sternwheeler plying the waters between Seattle and Sidney is lost to fire, leaving a captain with a total loss and few answers.
“The fire spread rapidly and soon enveloped the whole boat, being increased by a barrel of kerosene which exploded on board.”
The Unseen Work Behind the Dock
A retort to rumors of labor shortages at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, emphasizing the reality of clearing wilderness before construction can begin.
“The Puget Sound country does not contain any treeless plains into which, on short order, an immense hole can be sunk for dry dock.”
Bremerton Saloon Owners Challenge City Hall
After the city council unilaterally revoked liquor licenses, local tavern keepers prepare to sue the town for damages.
“every saloon man in the town whose license was revoked... will proceed at once to sue the town for damages.”
The State Supreme Court Shuts Down Bremerton Saloons
The high court denies a plea to keep saloons operating, marking a legislative victory over the liquor trade.
“The higher court holds that this appeal can never be heard upon its merit, since relator's license will expire by its terms.”
Puget Sound Yard to Expand for Navy Build-Up
Federal funds allocated to equip the Puget Sound navy yard as part of a massive national naval expansion effort.
“The Puget Sound navy yard also is to be equipped from the same appropriation.”
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