Commandant Charles H Bell Letter 7 May 1860
Commandants Office
Navy Yard Gosport
May 7th 1860
Sir,
The granite wharf at Fort Norfolk has been completed. I have examined, carefully, the work in company with the Civil Engineer, and there is every appearance of it having been well executed. It is neatly constructed and appears substantial. All the work contracted for has been finished, with the exception of a small portion of gravel to cover up where it has been filled in and graded. This will be completed in a few days.
It will now be necessary to lay the water-pipe from the point where it now terminates to the end of the wharf, in order to supply vessels with water from the cistern, and also to continue the rail-way from the Magazine on the same direction: the estimated cost of these is from three to four hundred dollars.
After paying for all liabilities, and outstanding demands (such as we know of) there will be a balance on hand (shot platforms and skids) of upwards of six thousand dollars.
Shall we proceed and finish out the water-pipe and rail-way and charge it to this fund?
I am Sir Very Respectfully,
your obedient servant,
Charles H Bell
Commandant
Commodore Joseph Smith
Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks
Washington D.C.
Fort Norfolk Documents
1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799,
1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,
1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817,
Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks
Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk
April 4 1858 - June 26 1860
Box No. 159B, Entry 5