The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-06

| taken EcfCe 10 tncir Vtctihdb'h. ih'i'
is no dangling at the heels Of despond-
ency there, and such thing as being
idle or out Of work is unknown.
The following letters from Commo-
dore Melville and Chief Engineer De
Vain, United States Navy. were writ
ten as official reports while inyostigat-
ing whether the plant was prepared to
do any work on marine engines and
boilers which the Navy Department
might require. The additions alluded
TO have been made, it viii be Temem-
bcred. and the contract for the ship
Texas awarded The works.
LETTER To MIR. WHITNEY.
NAVY DrPARrMrNr.
II-RFAT or STEAM ENGINEERING,
WAsuINcT0S, q. c.. Fcn. ,. 1850.
sir.-I have the honor 10 report that in
obedience TO Department order of January
2Sth | proceeded 10 Richmond, va. ana IN
spoctcd the Richmond Locomotive and Ma
chine Works, Of that city. and 10 gives me
pleasure 10 report that with very few nddi-
lions 10 their plant. they are prepared TO 90
any work on marine engines ana boilers the
department may demand.
Very specially,
lSigncdl GEo. ". MELVILLE.
Chief Of Bureau.
Hon. ". Z. WHITNEY,
Secretary Of the Navy.
Predicated upon the foregoing is the
report made by Commodore Harmony
to the company
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
WAsHINCToN, ID. G.. February p. I-,@.
GenilcIncn.-l transmit herewith copy OF
a letter: dated the "a instant, from engineer
in-Chief George ~. Melville. the chief 81 the
bureau 81 steam engineering, in which DC fc
ports that he has Inspected She Richmond
Locomotive ana Machine Works, Of Kich-
m0nd Va. and finds that with very few
additions 10 the plant the company is pre-
pared to do any work ON marine engines and
boilers which This department may demand.
Very respectfully.
f~igncd.1 f.. E iiARMoNY.
Acting Secretary Of the Navy.
CHEZ ENGINEER DE VAIIN's STATEMENT
CHIEF INGINEEg- OFFICE.
TNITED STATES NAVY YARD. ,
WAsHINcTON, -. g.. February I, lS-s. }
Ri-hmond ocomofirt and Nnchine Works.
R,chmond. "a; -
Gcntlcmcn,-l0 our letter enclosing ground
plan 0f your works was duly received. 4 take
pleasure IN expressing the favorable impress
Sion mndc on the cuglucsi-lfi. chief 'ommO-
dOfc Melville and myself, Of tuf character
ard extent Of your works during our WISH on
The 9Th uitimorc. We found The works to
be on a large scale. occur Ing about twelve
acres with suitable buildings and yHii. We
found about 1lOmen employed iu the manu-
facfurc Of locomotives OF various BINDS. 80 b.
uonary engines. min work. and steel boilers
tor marine ana land purposes, some OF which
are OF heavy kind
There is an erecting shop 55Ox5O feet. pio-
vidcd with travelling overhead crane of !
fifteen IONS capacity ana equipped with The /
necessary tools ana appliances for heavy and |
extensive work. line boiler shop ls equipped |
with hydraulic rNciiue machines rolls. |
cranes. shears, pun cule, fic', required for /
Ir ..tI D.
enable yOu 10 handle the heaviest VOL, with |
facility. You have an ample patton shop. |
furnished with modern machinery sufficient |
for general purposes, and g large ilui-sloff /
brick building. with Watcr-tOHcr, f.r sale /
storage of wooden patterns. The ioHntrN is /
provided with two cupulas of eleven tons /
capacity, substantial cranes, drying ovens. /
am ample nooi AN capable Of extension for /
heavier wOfll than now ON hand.
Your brass ioun1iy Of ono half ton capacity /
Is well arranged and can Dee extended IL uc /
ccssary. The slnithcIN contains steam /
hammer of 6JD pounds. with cranes ana the /
fOrgings Your large offices and drafting /
rooms are Of eOoj modern designs.
The large locomotive shop now building is /
10 Zoe lGgxGO feet. ard viii enable YOU 90 /
handle largo quantities of that character Of !
work with facility and yOG have land enough /
10 Increase your WORKS tp any extent llAD j. /
10 hc required. bt lhc ndoiil'h OF ic" +
heavier tools, such as llfhts, planes, ga F
drills for boiler work, boring mill. ETC.. you /
will be enabled 10 handle massive work a. /
the heaviest kind.
Your u. alton TWO miles from tie water /
and with railroad facilities for the trlnspOr /
tatiOn Ot raw material 10 your works from /
mines in Virginia and other placfs, and car I
fyine The finished work 10 NORFOLK, Newport /
News. and Washington. warrant You in /
Undertaking marine work Of an extensive /
character.
Thanking YOU for your kind attention and /
wishing YOU all success
am sincerely yours,
IIIAs. g.. DE- NALIN
Chief Engineer Z. - y.
The animal amount expended bv The /
establishment here amounts to S3OOOuO /
This VIII give some idea stronger than /
set phrases or eloquent words as to
what Richmond is as manufacturing /
centre.