National Republican., 1883-10-12
WORK AT THE NAVY YARD.
What is Being Done I'm the Different De-
partments-iIiteresting Experiments in
Making Steel Chain.

What is Being Done tn the Different De-
partments-Iiiteresting Experiments in
Making Steel Chain.
The officials of the navy yard are manifest
ing much interest in series of experimental
work now being perfected there Ever since
the yard was converted into naval arsenal
and the great bulk of routine work taken to
other naval establishments, the heads of the
several departments of the yard have We'd
with each other in their experimental and
improvement efforts.
REPUBLICAN reporter visited the yard
last evening. He found u large force of men
in the ordnance department hard at work on
two 6-inch steel rifles which are nearly COM
pleted. They will be of high power, and when
finished will be tested at the experimental
battery, in front of the naval academy at
Annapolis. The same department is also
making machinery for the manufacture of
new and improved guns.
Tho equipment department is also
making a feature of experimental work
force of men are engaged in manu-
featuring 14-inch steel chain which 81
intended to take the place of the 14-inch
iron chain now in use. There has been n
difficulty heretofore in manufacturing steel
chain, because of the trouble experienced in
welding it, The naval authorities, however
after much patience, succeeded in getting q
to welding, and it is not improb-
able that the future United States
navy will be provided with steel, instead of
iron chain. The proposed experiments will
be watched with great interest by mariners
and chain dealers all over the world. noted
manufacturer of chains and anchors from
England visited the yard yesterday and in
spected the work. He expressed much salts
faction at the probabilities of success, and said
the English government had tried the ex-
pertinent of making steel chains some time
ago, but finally gave it up in despair A Sec
tion OF the new chain was tried yesterday in
the testing machine and proved satisfactory.
quantity of it will soon be issued to United
States vessels on the home station and sub
jected to practical test The advantage of
steel chain is that II can be made smaller. and
consequently much lighter than iron.
The sail loft sent of yesterday complete
outfits of sails for tho Essex and Enterprise,
which are stationed in China. Another out
fit is being made for tho sloop of war Ossipee,
now undergoing repairs ut the League island
navy yard. 1t is expected that an order will
soon be received for sails for the new steel
cruisers.
The old ships Frolic and Relief, recently
sold at auction, having been towed down to
Alexandria by their owners, The only YES
sells at the yard now are the receiving ship
Wyandotte, three tugs, and the monitor
Sargus.
Admiral Semmes is of the opinion that
when the yard begins full operations as a
naval arsenal the force of men will have to
be increased. The number of men applying
for enlistment as marines and sailors is in
creasing daily, and the officers predict that
after the first frost there will be rush of ap-
plicants. One of thcm aptly remarked,
Men can stand hunger, but they cannot
stand hunger and cold combined"
The attention Of visitors is attracted to the
pretty appearance of the yard in front of
Commodore Semmes's residence. 1t has been
tasteiully decorated with howitzers, carron-
ades and pyramids of shot. The cannon peep
gracefully out from behind breastworks of
plants and exotics and command a placid
fountain surmounted miniature lake in the
center.