Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-11
THE NAVY YARDS.
A Memoranda Received by Secretary
Chandler Concerning Them.

CoNCOhD, ~ JUNE ~.
Secretary Chandler has today received and
considered the memoranda furnished him by
the navy ward commission of which Commo-
dore Luce is president, concerning their pro-
posed report to Congress, and approves their
recommendations for closing certain yards
and the concentration of organization and
the reduction of expenses in the remainder,
and they will be ordered to take effect about
July 10. The commission recommends the
reorganization and concentration of mechan-
ical departments in every yard, so there shall
be but one shop in each for the performance
of the same kind of work, and makes several
suggestions in the interests of economy. The
retention of the Mare Island yard is consid-
cred of absolute Importance, as it is the only
workshop of the government on the west
coast. The report says: 1--WE advise Pen
sacola yard not to be closed, the present force
being, in our opinion, no more than is neces-
| sary for the preservation of the yard and
property therein. We recommend no change.
We advise that the Norfolk navy yard be re-
tanned in first class working condition. We
advise with regard to the Washington yard
| that it be dropped from the list of navy yards
| and be designated as the naval arsenal, re-
tanning it in full working condition for the
| manufacture of certain specified articles only.
We recommend that the League Island
yard be closed both yard and as
naval station until plans have been
prepared and approved for such yard as the
department requested authority to construct
and Congress authorized and until the filling
and construction of the quay walls and gate
ways to the great ship basin in the back
channel are completed. The New York
yard is to be retained as first class yard,
but no money shall be spent there in the way
of improvements until the plans for the full
development of the yard shall have been
prepared and approved. New London to be
dropped forthwith from the list of navy yards
and naval stations and stores and naval sta
tons and stores and materials of all kinds
that can be made available sent to other
yards.
Recommended further that plans be pre-
pared at once looking to the transfer of the
naval asylum to the vacated site on the
Thames
Concerning the Boston and Portsmouth
yards the report says "Some difference of
opinion exist in the commission in regard to
the disposition to be made OF these yards.
All agree that the navy yard at Portsmouth
is indefensible against serious attack from
fleet of iron clads armed with modern
| rifled ordnance, unless new and extensive
Notifications should be erected for that pur-
pose, the cost of which would be so enormous
as to preclude the consideration of such
expedient.
We recommend no further expenditures
to be made there or for improvements of any
kind. All agree it would be difficult to over
estimate the value of the Boston yard in time
| of war and that it should be so improved as
| to utilize the water frontage to its utmost ex-
| tent and at the earliest moments also that
any proposal to dispose of this magnificent
| property cannot be too much condemned.
| All agree that the rope walk should be kept
| in operation and that the sail makers depart
| men should be kept running for the manu-
| facture of sails, tarpaulins and other similar
articles for the entire navy" Accompanying
the report of the commission are tables show
ing the aggregate daily pay of the foremen
| in the various yards, and the changes pro-
posed under the new organization. If the
Portsmouth yard is retained in working or
der, the foremen's daily pay roll will be re-
duced from Sll7.S4 to S76.50, and should
the yard be closed, to sl5.76. Under the
organization the pay of the foremen in the
Boston yard aggregates Sl53.S0, which, if
| the yard is kept open will be reduced to
S99.77, and if closed with the exception of
the equipment department, to S40.54. The
aggregate daily pay of the foremen at all the
yards is, at present S930.03. With the navy
yards at Portsmouth, Boston and League
Island closed and the organization of other
yards reduced as proposed, it will be $3.50. A.
With Portsmouth and League Island yards
closed. S539.6S. With Boston and League
Island yards closed, S54l.l8.