Commandant John D Sloat Letter 16 August 1848
Commandants Office
Navy Yard Gosport
16 August 1848
Sir,
I have reason to believe that if the Secretary would press the subject, Fort Norfolk could be obtained for our use; In the event of its been necessary at any future time to occupy that site for defensive purposes , it could be returned & the Magazine being there, would be no objections; but it is more than probable it will not be wanted for many years, if ever.
Our present Magazine was built for temporary purposes, and a more inconvenient site could no be bound in this neighborhood; to make it accessible at low water would require a wharf of over 300 yards, and the whole establishment is altogether so inconvenient and inadequate for the purposes of this command that I am of opinion that all the money spent there is just so much thrown away.
In my opinion there is no situation at “St. Helena” suitable for a Shell House, if for filled shells, it would be entirely too near the yard, if for empty shells, it would be very inconvenient. To save labor & risk the Shell House should be in the immediate vicinity of the Magazine.
I have not yet had time to visit and examine the Magazine since the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst, but shall do so as soon as possible. It is, as you aware, very much exposes, the person, who is normally the keeper has been confined to his bed for the last eight or none months, and lives at a considerable distance, consequently the boys have access to the premises and are constantly shooting about the grounds, & frequently make fires in the immediate vicinity; for these and many other reasons I hope another site may be selected and the establishment be put on a safe & convent footing.
I am Respectfully, Sir
your obedient servant,
John D Sloat
Commandant
Comm Joseph Smith
Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks
Washington
Fort Norfolk Documents
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1880,
Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks
Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk
Nov 3 1846 - Sept 15 1848
Box No. 154, Entry 5