New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-26
WORK AT THE NAVY YARD
PREPARATIONS FOR SEA SERVICE.
TIE BosToN AND CHIoAGo-EXPEcTEp ARRIVAL
OF THE GALENA-PoINTs ABOUT

TIE BosroN AND cHIoAGo-ExPEcTED ARRIVAL
OF THE GALENA-PoINTs ABOUT
TIE wAR.SHIPs.
A casual visitor to the Navy Yard, especially II
10 went on board of the great cruiser chicago ana
on the Boston, would obtain some idea OF what
the scene might be if the United States were pre-
nar;no for war, On board these two ships every
thing is bustle-not really confusion, but busy
incarnation OF these vessels for sea service. The
Boston is making ready to go to Itayu with COM
missioner from the State Department 10 confer
with Legitime and Hyppoite, the former the Presl-
dent of Hayti and the latter elected by the lnsur-
gents. 10 see If truce cannot be called, with an
ultimate prospect OF peace being re-estabhshed IN
that Republic.
The Chicago is being put in readiness, presum-
ably for duty as flagship of the European Squad
ron with Commodore John G. Walker as COM
mandsut. Commodore Walker has not been TO
sea in many years, and for eight years has been
Chief Of the Bureau of Navigation at the Navy
Denartment His present term will expire on
October o. when his successor will be appointed.
The North Atlantic Squadron has left the Island
If Hayti without anything 20 protect American
interests there excepting the American Minister
Thompson whose official acts have been seriously
criticised since he went there. The two would-be
Pizarros, Hgtime and llyppohte, are left to their
own resources to work out their salvation or de-
ytruction. The OsSipee arrived at Hampton loads
from Cape Hay ten on May IA. She was followed
nv the Galena which arrived at Key West on
Wednesday, and is on her way 10 New-l ork.
The Osspee has been ordered back to liayu, ana
called on Friday afternoon.
WAITING FOR TIE GALENA!
The Galena is expected 10 arrive here tomorrow,
when she Will 60 directly TO the Navy Yard, Upon
Arrival there Rear-Admiral Gherardi Will transfer
himself dag and his flag lieutenant and secretary
TO the Boston, and after the usual salute inc
cruiser will be the flagship Of the North Atlantic
Souadron. and be ready to sail by "Wednesday.
Rear.Admiral Daniel l.. Braine and Civil In
Kipeers Peter c. Asserson and Henry S Craven
have been ordered to prepare plans and estimates
for the Improvement of the Navy Yard. Among
the improvements to be made are some suggested
by the Chief OF Bureau of Yards and Docks, lor
which a special Appropriation OF stoviD"V maS
t tsSNtac from Of C"b Dock between the sart
rcnaircd a wear ago aud that where the rccGlNlng
ship Vermont lies, Is decayed, undermlneu anu
unsafe IL has been determined that any TEN.
porary repairs would be a useless waste especially
as this part Of Cob Dock j. much needed lor
slips that are being repaired ana httcd lor STD.
Hence il is necessary that Immediate and eAtenslSe
repairs be made Estimates are also, TO he made
of the cost of dredging out the chann"i back OF te
place where the armorcd cruiser Maine Is Dulu.
Ing as she could not be launched IN INC preSeI M
depth Of WAGER there. general paint ana Oh
store to less the danger OF fire, VIII prooa1y
be built, and the yard RAILWAY will be extended
for the transfer of heavy weights. The whitney
BASIN is to be improved by erecting substantial
crib work around the inside of the basin, so
that the ncceSy drsdGPf may nay De vcssc
and TO enclose 1T with soma panhS Vi granite
and concrete.
PLANS FOR THE PURITANh
II is not known how soon work will be begun on
the Puritan but the probability is that 1t Will De
about July /. At present she has no fittings pelo"
decks, especially in the division Of the spaces
between the outer and inner hullS There is not
single athwart,hip bulkhcad from stem 10 stern
in these wing longitudinal passages and should
any point I've Sierced by shot this part OF IN,
vessel would Immediately hill with water ana
her decks the turretS have TO be placed, tn"
nasts put in, the armOr belt put Oh, the guns
mounted and other work done.
Visitors TO the 6.O00-ton armOred cruiser Maine
find that the vessel is slowly changing in appear
ance, and after few weeks the work Will -
along more rapidly. An additional plant. equipped
the present machine house, for the hand;
ling and shaping of the great steel
Plates for, the hull. The American
with pride, in view of the fact that when She j.
finished she will be vessel Of Indisputablc Amer
cen type, and the largest vessel flying the AIn"r-
Her hull was designed by officers of the Navy her
great engines and boilers are from the designs Of
the Engineer Corps Of the Navy, and her guns
are to be made from the ingOtS OF American steel
that will he hammered into shape, bored and
strapped by American machinery in the hands Of
the workingmen OF America in an American Navy
fhere is with the Charleston and some of the
other vessels contracted for during the las:
Administration. During the last week several
81 the 6-inch guns Of the Yorktown have been
fitted in place on board her, and the work Of
preparing the gun circles for the other guns is
making progress. Little other work is being done
20 her.
CHANGES IN THE YARD.
Among the changes that have taken place az
the Navy Yard during the last week is the detach-
mcnt Of Chief Engineer Louis J. Allen from the
Experimental Board, his place being filled by
Chief Engineer George w. Stivers, who lately
returned from three years cruise in China Chief
Stjvers has spent many years in experimenting
with and developing new inventions of machinery
for the propulsion OF steam vessels, and during
q greater part Of the Civil War served with
Admiral Farragut.
Paymastrr Arthur Burtis has been detached from
The nav office and ordered TO the receiving ship
Vermont Paymastpr George III. Read relieved
paymaster Burtis at the pay-oihce.
lieutenant John A. Norris, chief Of the cXpedi-
ton TO determine longitude by telegraph is now
engaged in making out his report Of what was
done in his six months trip to Mexico and Central
America He will also be a member OF the naval
party which will 90, in December next, to the
west coast of Africa to observe the total eclipse
At THE PLAYHOUSES