It’s been 110 years since Congressman Edwin W. Higgins from Norwich gave an impassioned speech that saved the then-Navy Yard in Groton where Electric Boat now stands.

In 1868, 112 acres of land on the east side of the Thames River in Groton was given to the Navy by the people of New London and the state of Connecticut, to be used as a Navy Yard. A coaling station for Navy ships was established in 1898, but the expected flow of ships for refueling never materialized.

The Navy Appropriations Bill of 1912 recommended the New London Station for disposal. Only a carefully documented speech by Congressman Higgins saved the site. He offered an amendment, striking out the words “New London, Connecticut” from the bill. In support of his amendment, Congressman Higgins said in part:

“One of the questions raised by my amendment to strike out New London, Connecticut, from this paragraph is distinctly a moral one. Does this Congress propose to break faith with the state of Connecticut and repudiate a solemn pledge made after careful consideration by scientific men and recorded in the laws of this country, in the statutes of Connecticut and in the land record of that state: The acquisition of this beautiful tract of land, with its extensive waterfront, for naval purposes did not cost the Federal Government one cent.

“The issue raised by an amendment is not one of economy, but of plain everyday honesty. This country, in consideration of the GIFT of this magnificent property to it, agreed by legislative act to establish and maintain it for naval purposes. It was presented to the Federal Government for that purpose and upon that condition it has been held.

“Now in this Bill, without any regard to the facts, without any regard for the conditions, without any regard for the needs of the Navy, it is proposed to break faith with the State of Connecticut and attempt to sell and dispose of something that this country cannot give any title to…..”.

Over the past decades, there have been numerous attempts by the U.S. government to once again dispose of what is now the largest Naval Submarine Base in the world. Its attempts were labeled BRAC, Base Realignment and Closure.

Fortunately, its efforts were stopped by the uproar and hard work of local citizens of Connecticut who, like Congressman Higgins, documented why that was a foolish idea and a waste of money to duplicate all that is at the Submarine Base at other locations.

The citizens of the United States, realizing the enormous role this submarine base has played in the security of this country for the 154 years since the land was purchased, through wars and peace, hoped that their efforts reflected the result achieved by their predecessor, Norwich Congressman Edwin W. Higgins.

Note: Thanks to Mrs. Wendy Gulley, Archivist at the Submarine Force Library and Museum, for supplying the photo of Congressman Higgins.

David J. Bishop was a former curator of the Submarine Museum and also a Technical Illustrator and Public Affairs Officer at Naval Submarine School and was employed at the Submarine Base for 26 years. He is also the author of the history book “Naval Submarine Base New London” by Arcadia Publishing.