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Show Navy to Close Historic Arms Damp IONA ISLAND, N. Y, - After 47 years as a prime link in the chain of American sea defense, Iona island, is-land, nestled in the scenic land of Rip van Winkle, goes on the shelf. The navy has offered its ammunition ammuni-tion dump on the island for rent, preferably for conversion to manufacturing, manu-facturing, laboratory or Institutional use. The island's 123 acres do not permit per-mit further expansion and modem s safety requirements in the handling han-dling of high explosives are difficult to maintain here, the navy explained ex-plained in announcing the rental proposal. The most stirring chapters in the little islands' history were written during the two world wars, when the ammunition dump provided shells and other weapon fodder for navy vessels, merchant ships, overseas bases and shore stations. |