Cogswell School: Approx. 12,710 sq. ft. Humboldt Bank: Approx. 19,364 sq. ft. Marshall Square Building: Approx. 31,461 sq. ft. Miscellaneous offices in other bldgs.: Approx. 48,000 sq. ft. Miscellaneous Storage and Freight Handling Spaces: 1,076,000 sq. ft. Piers 4, 20, 25, 31, 33, 36, 46, 48, 50, 54, and 56. Copies of this letter are being sent to other members of Congress because inquiries received from them indicate that they are likewise interested in this matter. Sincerely yours, W. JOHN KENNEY. EXHIBITS No. 15 and 16 are on file with the Surplus Property Subcommittee EXHIBIT No 17 HEADQUARTERS, WESTERN SEA FRONTIER, San Francisco, California, September 17, 1947. The Honorable JACK Z. ANDERSON, Chairman, Armed Services Subcommittee on Procurement and Supply, Federal Office Building, San Francisco 2, California. MY DEAR MR. ANDERSON: As testified by Captain P. E de Vos, USN, the Commander, Western Sea Frontier, coordinates and controls logistics and administration in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Naval Districts on borad lines to promote uniform policies and to eliminate duplication. Direct management, operational and military control is exercised by the District Commandants and the Commanding Officers of the various naval activities. The Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California, is under the management and technical control of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Navy Department, and under the military and coordination control of the Commandant, 11th Naval District. The purpose of this letter is to provide supplementary information to the questions addressed by members of the Committee at yesterday's hearings to Commodore L. N. Moeller, CEC, USN, and Captain F. W. Hesser, SC, USN, concerning the detailed management and administration of this station. Waterfront Activities.-During the first eight months of this calendar year, 108 cargo ships passed through the Port and handled 164,998 [228,116 1] measurement tons. In addition, at least one combatant ship has been berthed in and operated from this Port since April 1947 The maximum number of combatant ships present at any one time during that period was three. There are nine deep-water berths which are reserved for the following purposes: 2 berths on Dock #1 for use of commercial activities under the prospective lease of this dock. 2 berths on Dock #4 for use by the Proving Ground activities. 1 berth on Dock #2 for use of craft assigned to the Naval Air Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, in connection with tests. 1 berth on Dock #6 for submarine. 3 berths for normal handling of cargo of the Advance Base Depot. It may be noted that in July 1947 it was necessary to dock three ships along Dock #1 in the areas reserved for the commercial lease and to dock one alongside Dock #4 in one of the berths reserved for the Proving Ground, as all other berths were in use for the purposes intended. This meant that from nine to ten ships were present at this time. Proposed Lease of Dock #1.-During the latter part of 1946, numerous requests were received to lease the facilities of Dock #1, and in January 1947 the Bureau of Yards and Docks authorized preliminary negotiations looking toward that end. All proposals were forwarded to the Navy Department, and the Department finally directed negotiations be concluded with the "Board of Harbor Commissioners, Oxnard Harbor District, Port Hueneme, California." When that body was requested to execute the proposed lease, an injunction was entered into by various private individuals to restrain that body from executing the proposed lease. 1 Penned notation. Final decision as to the authority of the Board of Harbor Commissioners to execute such lease has not yet been rendered by the court. No copy of the terms of the proposed lease of Dock #1 is at hand; however, the following provisions are part of the terms of the proposed instrument: (a) The lease covers the use of Dock #1, its transit sheds and all appurtenances thereto, together with the right to use fuel oil lines, with the Navy providing tug and pilotage services at the customary rate. It also includes the use of Parcel #2 containing 50,000 sq. ft. The lessee will have the privilege of subletting or improving this area and constructing fish canneries under certain reasonable limitations. (b) Terms of Payment: During the first year, $1.00 rental will be paid in advance. In subsequent years the rental sums will be mutually agreed upon, based upon an analysis of revenues derived and expense of operation. Changes in these subsequent annual rentals will be made upon the request of either party and when mutually agreed to. (c) Term: The term of the lease is for a period of five years, renewable annually after the expiration of the first year. Renewals for additional periods of five years may be renegotiated upon application to the Secretary of the Navy upon ninety days notice of such intent. (d) Termination: The lease provides that the lessee or the government has the right to terminate the lease at will, except that in the event of cancellation or termination by the government a period of thirty days will be allowed for the removal of equipment and installations that are subject to removal under the terms of the lease. In effect, this clause provides a thirty day notice. (e) Other general provisions require that the property be kept in good condition, that insurance be provided, and that the government be relieved of any public liability or damage. The government has the right to use the railroad tracks and the walkways, and has freedom of access to the property to make customary inspections. The lessee will provide fences which will separate its activity from the Station. The construction of canneries on Parcel #2 will be permitted provided the latest machinery be used and practices followed to eliminate objectionable odors and objectionable discharge of refuse. Land. The Naval Construction Battalion Center covers the following area: Navy-owned, 1,607.74 acres; Navy-leased, 62.45 acres; total, 1,670.19 acres, which includes 100.5 acres of water area. The following areas are used by the activities indicated: Naval Proving Ground Advance Base Depot- Naval Construction Battalion Hdqts. Training and Distribution Center. Naval School of Justice.. Commissary Store.. Civil Engineer Corps Officers School Homoja Housing... Harbor Area (Water) Total.. Acres 19.00 804.49 372. 45 329. 40 17. 60 2. 10 1. 30 23. 35 100. 50 1, 670. 19 Personnel. The following personnel are presently stationed at this facility: Naval Personnel, 1,800 Officers and Enlisted Men; Civilian Personnel, 3,600 Civilian Employees (including 400 employees of the Yards & Docks Supply Officer under recruitment); 210 Contract Stevedores on intermittent employment basis. Miscellaneous.-Port Hueneme is not an incorporated town. While no break-down of revenues received by or due the Navy for services rendered in connection with the storage, handling and shipment of surpluses declared to War Assets Administration is at hand, it has been estimated that the over-all services performed are valued at about $35,000 per month. It will be appreciated if these additional data are made a part of the record. It is also recommended that the Committee visit Port Hueneme to become acquainted with the physical plant of the Naval Construction Battalion Center. Sincerely yours, J. B. OLDENDORF, Vice Admiral, USN, Commander, Western Sea Frontier. Cc: Comll., Bu Docks, CEOin C, NOBC, Pt. Hueneme. One (1) or more Combatant Ships berthed in and operating from Harbor since Total of- Deep-water berths. On Dock 1 (Commercial). On Dock 4 (Proving Ground). On Dock 2 (NAMTC Mugu Craft) On Dock 6 (Submarine). 9 12271ed In July at one time there were three (3) Ships on Dock 1 and one 1 on Proving All other berths filled. (NOTE. Material supplementing this exhibit is on file with the Surplus Prop- erty Subcommittee.) EXHIBITS No. 17-A and 17–B are on file with the Surplus Property Subcommittee 1 Hueneme second largest shipping Activity, Continental United States, according recent information |