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 Fort Norfolk 1859

Fort Norfolk History - 1859

Captain Charles H. Bell took command of the Navy Yard Gosport, Naval Hospital, and Fort Norfolk on April 30, 1859.

Commander Robert Robb sent the first plan and specifications for building the wharf at Fort Norfolk to Commodore Joseph Smith, Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks, on May 18, 1859.

Calvin Brown, Civil Engineer, Navy Yard Gosport, wrote Captain Charles H. Bell, Commandant Navy Yard Gosport, on May 23, 1859 sending the revision of the specifications for the Landing and Piers at Fort Norfolk, required by the Bureau of Yards & Docks. He made the following examination: “The matters thus involved are the dredging and piling, and the reason of their not being specified in more detail, is in my opinion, steadily familiar by the experience acquired in the similar work of the Quay Wall at the Yard. The character of the bottom has been found so variable and so impossible to be determined before it is got at by actual operations upon it, except by the expensive preliminary of boring, that we have always judged of the necessary quantity or rather depth of dredging by the tenacity of the material as shown in the executions that is, where it was required below the point I joined for the floating of U S vessels, and in the trenches required for the piling. In very soft places we have dredged upwards of 12 feet, and in harder spots not more than 6 feet below”.  Consequently, Brown was forced to deviate from the original specifications. 
Captain Charles H. Bell, Commandant Navy Yard Gosport, forwarded the information to Commodore Joseph Smith.

Captain Charles H. Bell wrote Commodore Joseph Smith on June 17, 1859; “My attention has been called by the Commander in charge of Ordinance on this station, to the condition of the Boat used for transporting ammunition: She is in a very bad state, and unworthy of repairs.
There is an appropriation past for the next fiscal year for a new boat for this purpose, and it is very desirable that one should be constructed at as early a period as would be convenient to the Bureau.”

Captain Charles H. Bell wrote Commodore Joseph Smith on July 5, 1859; “Having understood that the contracts to to construct the “Landing and Piers” at Fort Norfolk will be prepared, in a day or so, to commence operations. I would respectfully recommend the work of continuing the “Sea Wall” around the beach, which was suspended some months since, be re-commenced.
The stone for this work, is now on the Timber wharf, and must be taken out of the way; and as the Rail Road is constructed from the Bridge, to the point where it is finally to be used. I would recommend that the stone be moved at once, and the that instructions be given for the work on the “Sea Wall” to be carried on at the same time.”

When Commandant Charles H. Bell received an estimate from a private contractor to build the seawall for between $7.90 and $8.25 per cubic yard, he resolved to have the work done by his own staff and workers.  Bell declared that the Navy could perform the task for  $6.00 per cubic yard.  The seawall was designed and constructed by Calvin Brown and laborers from the Gosport Navy Yard (BY&D, Letters Received, Box 159-B, Bell to Smith, July 18, 1859).

Captain Charles H. Bell wrote Commodore Joseph Smith on August 17, 1859; “Mr. Herbert, the Supt of Quay Wall, has charge of the erection of the Piers at Fort Norfolk. He will exercise constant supervision in its construction, especially when the Diving Bell shall be employed. The work progresses favorably. The scaffolding is nearly completed and preparations are being made for driving the foundation piling. Every part of the work, thus far, has been well constructed and seems substantial and secure in every respect.”

Calvin Brown wrote Captain Charles H. Bell on September 30, 1859; “I herewith submit the accompanying tracing with the explanations herein stated in answer to the inquiries of yours of this day concerning the proposition made by the contractor for the works at Fort Norfolk for constructing a solid wharf instead of the piers &c. he is now building." (see above)
"It was originally contemplated to erect a solid wharf at this point, and it was in consideration of the extra cost above that of the pier &c. that the idea was abandoned. The advantages of this were very apparent as affording much greater convenience and a large landing area with the facilities for mooring and securing vessels along side. But as it seemed to me to involve a much greater expense in the additional amount of materials and labor required especially in the hammered masonry and in the filling. I inferred that the advantages gained would not compensate for the cost. I am somewhat surprised at the small difference above the price to be given for the pier that the contractor proposes to execute this work for. I can however conceive that in carrying up the side walls for the wharf in comparatively shoaler water then he will be obligated to lay the masonry of the rear wall of the pier in, he may find some advantage, he must of course drive about the same number piles in both cases. If he is willing to execute the proposed work for the price he states, I am of the opinion that it will be economical for the government. The construction and maintenance of the bridge leading to the pier will be saved. The original estimate for which was $1662.00 making the real difference to be paid for the solid war $1338.00.
The side walls should be constructed with the required number of buttresses to resist lateral pressure. One on each side on each wall will be sufficient, as these walls approach the shore they can be laid without piling as the foundation because solid sand. The filling will be such as can be more conveniently procured, and if it be mud, pine brush or saplings with their branches on should be piled in layers against the walls. The extra amount of filling required will be 3700 cubic yards.
In my opinion the solid wharf will not affect the tidal current so as to cause any deposit in front of the wharf line of the channel is remarkably straight at this location and the front line of the wharf exactly coincide with its direction and offers no obstruction: I do not think there can be any deposit even at the side unless very near the shore where it will do no damage. The whole projection of the wharf from high water mark is about 130 feet, being much less than any of the wharfs built at the Yard, while the deep water channel way at Fort Norfolk is more than twice the width of that at the Yard wharfs.
I am unable to state what this extra work will cost the contractor; my own estimate is for stone work extra $900.00
3700 cubic yards filling & graveling at 75 cents $2775.00
total estimate $3675.00
This estimate is based upon the price is assumed from the whole contract price to be paid the contractor for the pier &c. “

Captain Charles H. Bell forwarded the letter to Commodore Joseph Smith on October 1, 1859.

 

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Source of Information

Robert Robb, "Robert Robb to Joseph Smith", May 18, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.

Calvin Brown, "Calvin Brown to Charles H. Bell", May 23, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.

College Of WILLIAM & MARY, "A CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF FORT NORFOLK, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA", November 1995, prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District under Contract No. DACW65-94-Q-0075, 30.

Charles H. Bell, "Charles H. Bell to Joseph Smith", June 17, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.

Charles H. Bell, "Charles H. Bell to Joseph Smith", July 5, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.

College Of WILLIAM & MARY, "A CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF FORT NORFOLK, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA", November 1995, prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District under Contract No. DACW65-94-Q-0075, 30 and 35.

Charles H. Bell, "Charles H. Bell to Joseph Smith", August 17, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.

Calvin Brown, "Calvin Brown to Charles H. Bell", September 30, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.

Charles H. Bell, "Charles H. Bell to Joseph Smith", October 1, 1859, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, April 4 1858 - June 26 1860, Box No. 159B, Entry 5.