14
From 1901 to 1908 the Navy devoted its time to improving the facilities of
the 85 acres that constituted the naval reservation in Honolulu. Under the
Appropriation Act of 3 March 1901, this tract of land was improved with the
erection of additional sheds and housing. Improvements included a machine
shop, smithery and foundry, Commandant's house and stables, cottage for the
watchman, fencing, ten-ton wharf crane, and water-pipe system. The harbor
was dredged and the channel enlarged to accommodate larger ships. On 28
May 1903, the first battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-9), entered the harbor
for coal and water. However, when the vessels of the Asiatic station
visited Honolulu in January 1904, Rear Admiral Sials Terry complained that
they were inadequately accommodated with dockage and water.