In view of the close proximity of the adjacent areas occupied by the different departments of the Government and need of each for deep-water breakwater protection, piers, sea wall, and other structures, and in order that improvements made by one department shall as far as practicable be of service to each of the others, and to obtain the best possible results from the expenditure of Government funds, it has further been recommended that general plans for the improvement of the entire property shall be prepared, to be approved by al departments and to govern in the future development of the station.

Mr. BUTLER. It is proposed to have a harbor of refuge?

Admiral STANFORD. That is what it will amount to. The construction of this breakwater will give protection not only against storms but will also prevent the drifting in of the very light coral sand found in that vicinity, which quickly fills any hole or excavation made artificially. After this breakwater is completed there will be opportunity to dredge with some assurance that the area depths obtained will be permanent.

The CHAIRMAN. You will notice that the estimated cost of the breakwater is $600,000, but that is only one of three items. The dredging is estimated at $840,000, and the bulkhead and quay wall $250,000, making the cost of the completed project $1,690,000. The admiral has been talking about the whole project.

Mr. ROBERTS. This [indicating] in the present shore line along here [indicating]?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. Here is a fort [indicating] out here in the water, between this shore line [indicating] and this [indicating]?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. You are proposing to build a bulkhead around here [indicating] and here [indicating] is a proposed bulkhead that is going to inclose this space [indicating]?

Admiral STANFORD. This area [indicating] will probably be filled in by the dredging operations.

Mr. ROBERTS. The $600,000 in the item under discussion simply provides for this construction [indicating]? How much of it, all the way down here [indicating]?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. You have some sea wall on the shore line? Admiral STANFORD. It is here [indicating]. This is the new construction [indicating].

Mr. ROBERTS. That is there now?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. That was damaged by a storm two or three years ago?

Admiral STANFORD. There was some wall damaged. That is the wall that I spoke of as being recently completed at a cost of approximately $200 000.

Mr. ROBERTS. Why should not this proposition, involving so many departments of the Government, be undertaken by the Rivers and Harbors Committee, rather than have the Navy funds pay the expense of that work?

Mr. BUTLER. That is not much of a station?

Admiral STANFORD. The station is not as important as its strategic position warrants.

Mr. ROBERTS. The great difficulty is the liability of storm.

The CHAIRMAN. My recollection is that in the report of the Secre tary of the Navy two or perhaps three years ago he stated that he wanted to close a number of yards, naming them, and New Orleans was one of the yards to be closed; Pensacola was one, and then some of the northern yards, and Key West was to be retained simply as a base without expensive cost for improvements.

Mr. ESTOPINAL. Just for emergency. I remember that distinctly. The CHAIRMAN. It is my recollection that that was the plan outlined in the report of the Secretary two or three years ago.

Mr. ROBERTS. This plan here is extending the scheme outlined to us by Admiral Young when we were down there last winter.

Admiral STANFORD. The breakwater is absolutely necessary if permanent depth of water is to be obtained.

Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. Chairman, you have read the Secretary's recommendation in regard to this project?

The CHAIRMAN. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. Is there anything in it contemplating a division of the costs among the other departments?

The CHAIRMAN. No, sir; I do not recall that.

The next item is, "Navy yard, Mare Island, Cal.: Grading and paving, $10,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. This item is for the extension of the yard pavements to buildings and areas which are not served. This paving is especially necessary in the vicinity of the newly completed dry dock and to avoid the congestion which frequently occurs near the head of the dock.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the area in the Mare Island Navy Yard? Admiral STANFORD. Which is now paved?

The CHAIRMAN. No; the total area in the yard.

Admiral STANFORD. 1,015.59 acres.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Railway system, extensions, $5,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. This item is for minor extensions of the railroad system to better accommodate the new shop arrangements and shop buildings.

The CHAIRMAN. How much is there of that?

Admiral STANFORD. This item will provide for the construction of about 1,500 linear feet of track.

The CHAIRMAN. And also please designate the buildings to be connected.

Admiral STANFORD. It is proposed to provide a double track in front of building 69, extend the standard gauge track around dry dock No. 1, and rearrange the track in the foundry and building No. 85.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Salt-water flushing and fireprotection system, $25,000." Is that the same item that was submitted last year?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. You have already in existence one complete sys tem?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. The principal difficulty is that the present system depends upon a single water main crossing from Vallejo to the yard, which is apt to be broken by vessels dropping

anchor on the line. Water at Mare Island is very costly; it is obtained under purchase and costs about 18 cents per 1,000 gallons, which makes its use for flushing, sprinkling, and main toilets quite costly.

The CHAIRMAN. What would it cost if you had this salt-water system as compared with the rate of 18 cents per thousand gallons for the fresh water?

Admiral STANFORD. It is estimated that over $2,000 per year can be saved in the flushing of the main toilets.

Mr. ROBERTS. What does this contemplate? If you are going to have fresh water and a salt-water system, you must have a double set of pipes?

Admiral STANFORD. The plan proposes the installation of two $1,000 G. P. M. pumps, probably electrically driven, together with a small flushing pump, and an 8-inch main surrounding the industrial portion of the yard.

Mr. ROBERTS. Will $25,000 do it?

Admiral STANFORD. That is estimated to be sufficient for the shop district. Extensions to the quarters would cost $10,000 additional, but is not recommended at present.

Mr. ROBERTS. Are you proposing to take the salt water into the buildings?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. Would you have it in some of the buildings for the toilets, and so forth?

Admiral STANFORD. The small toilets would not be served with the salt water, because of the excessive corrosion, corrosive troubles which would result. It would cost more to keep the fixtures in repair than the cost of the water would warrant, but salt water can be used in the larger general toilet buildings in the yard, where there are no refined plumbing fixtures.

Mr. ROBERTS. Have you looked into the question as to whether an 8-inch main is large enough to supply the establishment in case of fire?

Admiral STANFORD. An 8-inch main should be sufficient for four or five fire streams.

Mr. ROBERTS. And the pressure of the pumps on the stream would give you the head?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. At about 150 pounds at the pumps the pressure at the nozzle would be 40 or 50 pounds, which would be enough for the buildings at Mare Island, because there are no tall ones.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Reconstructing quay wall, $20,000." Has the former wall broken down?

Admiral STANFORD. This item is particularly desired for the reconstruction of the quay wall between Dry Docks Nos. 1 and 2, but as the amount has been reduced by the department it will be insufficient to complete the work. The wall that was previously constructed has shown a dangerous outward movement as a result of excessive pressure incident to the construction of the new dry dock. This is an expenditure which follows the completion of this dry dock.

Mr. BUTLER. They built the dry dock and knocked out the wall?

Admiral STANFORD. When soft mud was pumped back of the wall, it produced pressure which was more than the wall could stand. I have seen a pile under its own weight drop a depth of 55 feet through the material, which gives some idea of its fluidity and the difficulties in trying to retain it.

Mr. BUTLER. Was it necessary to pump this material behind this wall?

Admiral STANFORD. There is very little filling to be had except such as is obtained from dredging operations.

Mr. BUTLER. Was it necessary?

Admiral STANFORD. To have provided other material would have been excessively costly.

Mr. BUTLER. It being necessary to pump something into the place to be filled could not the wall have been built strong enough to withstand the pressure?

Admiral STANFORD. It might have been, but it was not. It is a very difficult position for wall construction.

The CHAIRMAN. Was the wall built before the dry dock was contemplated?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. When was the dry dock authorized?

Admiral STANFORD. In 1898.

The CHAIRMAN. The dry dock was authorized before this wall was constructed?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. At what time was it known that the silt, sand, mud, etc., out of this dry dock would be pumped in behind the wall?

Admiral STANFORD. It was undoubtedly contemplated that such would be the procedure, but the construction of the wall was warranted because of the service which it rendered during the construction of the dock, not only as affecting the construction of the dock, but for the use of vessels at the yard during that period.

The CHAIRMAN. What I had in mind was if it was contemplated, why was not the wall made heavier?

Admiral STANFORD. The design was the same as the typical wall which had been constructed in other parts of the water front and which had been found satisfactory in those places.

Mr. ROBERTS. What is the present wall?

Admiral STANFORD. A concrete retaining wall carried on piling and timber with timber sheet piling.

Mr. ROBERTS. This means taking down the wall?

Admiral STANFORD. Taking down a portion of it. Such piles as are in place which will be serviceable in the new construction will be used again.

Mr. ROBERTS. Referring again to the fire-protection system, do you know whether they have had any serious fires in recent years at this yard?

Admiral STANFORD. I think not.

Mr. ROBERTS. They had an explosion of a magazine?
Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. Did they have a fire in any of the shop buildings? Admiral STANFORD. I do not recall any serious fire at Mare Island. Mr. ROBERTS. Would your records show whether there had been any fires?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. I have a recollection that there was a fire among the shop buildings two or three years ago. I wish you would look it up, and if there has been anything of that sort please put in a statement as to the extent of the fire and whether it was due to lack of fire protection and water supply.

Admiral STANFORD. The bureau's records contain no mention of recent serious fires at Mare Island.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is "Modernizing electric power and light distributing systems, $20,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. New feeders and transformers are required to properly utilize the output of the new power house. Changes are also desirable in various motors to avoid transformation losses which now are involved. The electric service as obtained under contract from the Napa Power Co. was previously at 1,100 volts. The new power plant, to be harmonious and consistent with the other power plants, is designed for 2,300 volts. This higher voltage necessitates the purchase of some additional cable to withstand the higher pressure, and there are also required transformers for the purpose of reducing voltage from 2,300 to 110 or 220 volts required for the motors instead of from the lower voltage of 1,100, which has been heretofore provided.

Mr. ROBERTS. This item does not contemplate any new conduits? Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir; there will be some additional underground conduit required.

The CHAIRMAN. When were the electric power and light distributing-plant system completed?

Admiral STANFORD. It is just being completed.

Mr. BUTLER. And yet they want to modernize it?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir; not modernize the power plant, but to adapt the distributing system to the generating equipment.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is "Water-system extensions, to continue, $10,000." Please explain that item, Admiral?

Admiral STANFORD. This item is to provide a duplicate water main crossing Mare Island Strait and to avoid the closing of the yard, which would occur in case of accident to the single line now supplying the station.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the length of that single line?

Admiral STANFORD. It is about 1,200 feet across Mare Island Strait. Mr. BUTLER. Would not that be subject to the same dangers that you spoke of?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir; but it would not be laid upon the identical lines with the present one, so that it would not be probable that both lines would be broken at the same time. It would be an emergency service when the other line was under repair.

Mr. BUTLER. Fresh water?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. BUTLER. To supply how many?

Admiral STANFORD. The entire Mare Island population.

Mr. BUTLER. You would get it from Vallejo, across the stream? Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. The Government has one line constructed across the strait at the present time?