Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-21
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD.
what Commodore FoIger Says Of 1t q
Gun Factory.

| "nat Sommouore FoIger Says OF IL rs
Gun Factory.
Commodore Folger, chief of ordnance Of the
navy, in his annual report to the Secretary re-
fers as follows to the Washington yard:
The buildings for the gun factory proper
have been completed since last report. AL the
machinery has been installed in the south gun
shop and is in full operation. The l10-ton
overhead travelling crane has been erected on
its supports in the north gun shop, tested
and found to be satisfactory. A few ch6nges
In the hosting purchase are being
made by the contractor, upon the completion
OF which the crane will be accepted. The
large gun lathes for this shop have been con-
tracted for by the department with Messrs.
| VIM. Sellers d Co. of Philadelphia, Pa, under
date of July 10. $780, after advertisement
dated December "a, 1889. February IL and
March Z. 1880.
This contract requires the completion and
erection of two OF the lathes by January 10,
1892, and all OF the lathes within thirty-thres
| months from the date of the contract. or by
April 10. 1898. and the contract date for the de-
| livery Of the forgings for twelve and thirteen
| inch guns is made to correspond with the de-
iIveries of these large machine tools, that there
| may be no delay in the completion Of the main
batteries OF the battle ships.
| SUPERIOR TO ANY N USE ABROAD.
The bureau considers that the large gun
lathes Of this contract will be superior in de.
sign, capacity, hardness and accuracy of work
and in finish to any similar machine tools now
| In use abroad. and the department Is to be
| congratulated Upon this development in our re-
sources. Tools Of this class and size are at
present only manufactured by two or three
| firms, and these in England and France.
The shrinkage pit and gun carriage shop have
been completed since last report and are in
full operation; the Office building also has been
| completed and is at present occupied The
| railway siding, which has been constructed
and around the navy yard, has greatly facili-
| lated the delivery of gun forgings and the
| shipment of ordnance material.
The bureau has acquired by purchase q
| shifting engine.
Tho bureau has acquired during the year
several special machine tools, notably boring
mills and boring and turning lathes Of tho firm
OF Bement, Miles Il Co. of Philadelphia, Pa,
and desires to mention specially their eff
| cheney and the merits of the manufacture.
With the increase in the quality and the
amount of the machinery at the naval gun fac
| tory and in the adoption of fixed and advan-
tageous methods Of shop administration and OF
settled principles. large economy has resulted
| III the production OF ali material. This is es-
pecially apparent in the manufacture Of tools,
OF projectiles, Of guns and carriages.
A CHEMICAL LABORATORY.
The bureau has secured the services Of a
capable chemist and has installed laboratory
complete in all respects for analytical work
| and for experiments in explosives in connec-
| ton with the new proving ground at Indian
| Head.
A marked advantage in the direction of
| economy has already resulted from this new
| department in the item of lubricating oils the
| shop now manufacturing its own oil.
| The bureau anticipates advantageous devel-
| opments in various directions from this addi-
ton to the facilities Of the gun factory.
The shops have been completely provided
with an electric lighting plant and it is at
| present practicable to work at night in case
| such course should be demanded.
| contract has been made with the Morgan
Engineering Company Of Alliance, Ohio, for a
| ffteen-ton crane which will be placed upon
! the tracks of the forty-tOn crane now in use in
the south gun shop, the latter having been
found insufficient to perform the work required
! of it
The bureau proposes to extend these tracks,
| which now reach but to the shrinking pit
throughout the whole length Of the north gun
| shop in order to avoid the disadvantages of
| shifting weights from one crane to another.
The gun factory is at present under the
| charge of Commander Chas O'Neil, to whom
the bureau is indebted for many valuable i'm
provements and suggestions in the develop
ment Of the machine plant and Of the naval
material.
NEW PROVING GROUND.
| Under authority Of the acts of March 3. 1887,
and June 80, 1889, the bureau purchased, i'll
| February, 1890, u tract OF land $50 acres in ex-
| tent in Charles county. Md, on tho Potomac
| river, and about twenty-six miles below Wash
| ington: At this spot wharf has been built,
magazine and instrument houses are
| being erected, butts put up, gun
| platforms for all calibers OF guns con-
structed, and oil preparations made
| for prosecuting the necessary work of proving
and ranging guns and testing power, carriages,
| projecticles and other ordnance material. This
| important work has been in charge Of Ensign
Il. B. Dashiell, and the bureau begs to COM
mend his zeal and ability in its prosecution. II
Is proposed to transfer to this point
| all the work thus far done at the
Annapolis proving ground and il is believed
that the difficulties and risks which have at
| tended such work at Annapolis will no longer
| exist. The greatest advantage to be realized
| by the transfer, however, will be the saving in
| time and cost Of transportation from the gun
| factory to and from the proving ground
1t is anticipated that the advantages Of the
| direct contact OF the manufacturing establish
ment with the proof of the material will be at
| once apparent and result in increased efficiency
in all departments Of the manufacture.
Made Threats Against His Wife.
Magruder Hough's pretty wife accused him
in the Police Court today Of having made
threats toward her. Divorce proceedings are
pending between them. Mr.. Darlington repre-
sents the wife and MIR. Williamson Is looking
after the interests of the husband
| Magruder was willing to give his bonds In the
SUM Of $500 to keep tho peace toward his wife
and his personal bonds in that sum were ac-
copied
Burnside Corps Entertainment.
Last evening Willard Hall was crowded by an
appreciative audience the occasion being the
entertainment Of Burnside Corps 20 Woman s
Relief Corps. An excellent program WAS rem
dered and an opportunity was given to inspect
the beautiful things exhibited for sale. These
were goods LETT over FIR ON the fair held in Feb
ruary last Many Of the goods were disposed
! of at fair prices. The young people enioyed
| tho dancin1 apJ Prof Rou.t a,+orto;nnJ ~.