The Secretary of the Navy Visits a Growing Seattle
Secretary H.A. Herbert tours the future site of the Lake Washington ship canal and examines the burgeoning Port Orchard naval facility.
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Hon. H.A. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy, arrived in Seattle yesterday evening, escorted by General G.M. Dodge and Thomas B. Hardin. During his visit, he attended a private dinner at the Rainier Club where the construction of the Lake Washington ship canal was a primary topic of discussion. Secretary Herbert expressed his commitment to developing the naval shipyard at Port Orchard, noting that the federal government's policy is to build ships via contract while utilizing state yards for repairs. He emphasized the advanced state of American naval manufacturing before his departure for a tour of the proposed canal route via the Yesler Avenue cable road and a scheduled visit to the navy yard.
“The policy of the department is to build up a ship-yard at Port Orchard to repair and dock vessels.”
This visit highlights a pivotal moment in Seattle’s infrastructure history: the lobbying for the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Today, the canal remains a vital maritime artery connecting the city’s freshwater lakes to the Puget Sound, continuing the legacy of the civic leaders who campaigned for its strategic value over a century ago.
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