Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-20

gleied 1886; cost, sssS.ssI; repairs. s1ss, sss.
s. LSai;, sseo ss slocp, begun in 1877;
$212,ss6. She is now the receiving ship 81
Phi and her frame is perfectly sound
st. Mary's, nrst-class sloop-ofwar. begun in
1S43; completed in 1874. Now used a. school
ship by the state Of New York. and Il in good
Minnesota, nrst-class steam frieate, CON-
pieted 10 1855, Is now used as q training ship
Nipsic, steam sloop completed in 1881 now
on her way home from the south Atlantic sta
ton.
In addition to the above, many OF our largest
vessels have been extensively repaired and
supplied with machinery and other equip.
that ship-building ceased. According to those
who are we'll informed upon the capacities
why 1t should not be revived, even though a
here.
THE NAVY BUREAUA
Navy yard affairs were conducted prior to
1912 by the navy commissioners, with the Sec.
rotary at the head. At that date the bureau
system was established. There were originally
five bureaus-yards and docks, construction,
equipment and repair, provisions and clothing,
photography. In 1852 three more bureaus
were added to the list-steam engineering equip
iIIcut anu TecTulC10g, anu 0aV1g8tlOn. IleS6
are the bureaus at present comprised in the
Navy department system, and they are more or
less directly connected with the conduct OF
construction of q vessel from the time It is com.
menced until 1t puts to sea. or rather it did
when 1t was customary to build vessels at our
and docks for the work to be done,
ihs . assps in Eoed
hull. spars and boats of the vessel. She is then
turned over to the bureau of steam engineering.
which which puts In the boilers and machinery. The
rigging and sails. The bureau of ordnance pro-
vides the battery and armament tile bureau
plies. The bureau OF navigation then details
the officers, and the vessel is ready for sea.
WHAT IS EXPECTED.
1t is confidently expected that one of the two
national gun foupdries or gun factories will be
located at the Washington yard and it is held
anywhere In the country. The work of the
yard has changed of late years SO that ordnance
work comprises almost all OF any Importance
that is done there. This Is OF the very best
quality, and is cited strong reason for iocat-
ing the foundry at this yard. Many advan-
tages are claimed for it over other localities.
fr,m Cumberland cheaper than at any other
point that might be in competition. Iron for
construction can be purchased as cheap as at
any other place. The yard is accessible from
all points both by rail and by water. a very inn
pOrtant consideration in establishing such IN
institution 1t is right at the seat of government,
and the Navy department eau exercise an i'm
mediate supervision all the time, while the
head of the department can be directly and
personally communicated with on moment s
notice. Politics have never entered into the
control and conduct of the Washington yard
as they have in other navy yards, particula rly
in the larger cities. There is now, aud has been
for years in this city as fine skilled labor us can
be found in other cities as the tools and results
at the yard will prove upon investigation The
only thing needed to be done 10 make the yard
the most suitable of any place in the country
crease the width and depth of the channel. 1t Is
estimated that an outlay OF $4,000 is all that
Is needed to put the channel in u condition to
admit of the passage OF the largest vessel the
navy has ever will have. The necessary
scOws dredging machines and appliances are
all on hand, and all that is needed is 500 900 to
prosecute the work. Civil Engineer Menocal
stated to q STAR reporter that a channel ofsuffl-
cient capacity could be maintained ut the
Washington yard at as little expense as at any
yard in the country.