Evening star., 1885-11-17
NAVAL EQUIPMENT.
Report Of Commodore Schley.

Commodore Schley, chief OF the bureau a
equipment and recruiting, i'm his annual report
to the Secretary Of the Navy states that during
the year sixty eight vessels were wholly or par.
TALLY equipped with stores at an expense Of
S523, ,45O94. The appropriation for equip
ment Of vessels was STAG, 900 less than asked
for, and was exceeded ey about S32 900, owing
to increased consumption of coal i'm the
north Atlantic and Pacific sQuadrons in con.
nection with the Panama troubles and I'm the
Asiatic squadron by reason of the trouble be
tween France and China. The appropriation
for transportation and recruiting was exceeded
S27, ,S34.l5 on account OF the Panama troubles,
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE WASHING
TON NAVY YARD.
The report says that no material improve
ment has been made for years i'm the plant for
forge, anchor, smith and chain shops and roll.
tcally IL stands as IT did twenty five years ago.
From this cause the cost of production 10
greater than IL the manufactured articles are
bought in the open market, though there
is doubt IL the purchased article would be
as reliable. Tie bureau also labors under dis
advantages from the system OF working. which
methods of private establishments. The re
port urges the necessity of keeping up thor
shop at the Washington yard, and, above all
things q first-class testing machine. plant
50 u only ins used Soud
tions of private dealers. IL also suggests the
great importance Of some legislation looking TO
our vessels OF war and for those of the mercan-
tile marine. and the propriety OF placing proper
inspections and tests under the control and
direction OF the bureau.
NAVAL APPRENTICES.
During the year the number of applicants for
apprenticeship in the navy numbered 3, 754, q
them 2,6O1 were rejected and 1,153 accepted;
failed TO report 394; received into the service
759; now in the service 1,277. The report re-
commends the construction of two composite
vessels, enjoined with auxiliary steam power
and lifting screws. armed with modern guns
and fitted with the newest torpedo attach
ments for training vessels. The Portsmouth,
Jamestown and Saratoga will soon be unseawo
thy and apprentices should receive their prelim.
mary instruction steam vessels of q type
more like the modern war ships IL they are %
be made familiar with its Improvements and
requirements.
THE FISH COMMISSION AND COAST SURVEY.
The cost OF maintaining the fish commissi0a
from pay Of the navy for the year was about
e76, ,252, and OF the coast survey e256, ,176.
-Four hundred and nine men are Withdrawn
from the available force Of the navy 70 perform
the duty OF these two establishments. IL u
recommended that the force employed by them
entity @ S OF the 500 men intended Tor The senersi
service. The force should be Limited 20 oO0
men, and should be kpSwn e the aS.ii';ssss se
taking place In the various implements for
offense and defense 70 be used on board the new
organizing . class OF iorty men, one-half being
trained in the use OF aI the electrical apparatus
at the torpedo station, and the other half being
trained In the use Of tools, lathe~ &C, ~ tho
ordnance shops AZ the Washington navy yard.
They will change stations when each claD hes
completed its cruise, and ultimately they viii
Be tfausfevred 20 the general service a. instruc-
tors, and new men viii form the claases bor In
structto0.
OTHER REPRESENTATION.
Il b recommended that clothing OUTFIT b.
given a. . gratuity 70 all sailors on enlistment
as q means Of preventing desertion. An appru.
printion Of 80 900 Is asked 20 begin the fos7nar
ton Of libraries on waf vessela The retirement
recommended, and that the men should Be
permitted BY law 20 have some aaviugs hank
system Gtmilar % the men u IL osnV = So
Gosto0s