Navy plans to base ships in Boston and New York

As the Reagan administration's 600-ship naval-expanison program picks up steam, the US Navy is planning to assign eight to 15 of its new and recommissioned ships to Boston and New York, John F. Lehman Jr., secretary of the Navy, said here.

Monitor writer Jim Bencivenga reports that the final home-port decision will be based on a number of factors, including availability of housing for the estimated 3,000 Navy officers and sailors, pier facilities, and the industrial base in the respective areas. Navy data show that for every $1 a ship spends in port, $4.31 is generated in the local economy.