New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-13
WORK AT THE NAVY YARD
STEADY PROGRESS ON TWO CRUISERS.
THE MIANroSoMoH IN THE DRYDocK-orHER
AFFAIRS.

49, s,,co The vessels of the different squadrons
have departed for their winter outy are eo'i'
with the building OF the new cruisers ...u
the reconstruction Of the two monitors Inv
Mime the lnrger OF the two cruisers IN
course OF construction, is in Interesting conditloh
II Is now about three years since the actual cohSruc
ZION of the vessel was begun and 1t Will be some te
longer before she is ready to 90 into SERVICE Inc
vessel is built under Act OF Congress. appro'eo vi
August 3, 1886; she designed by inc H"'S ~
partment and the plans were approved on No'o"o'
1887: on June 4, 1888, the bids for materiais "erc
opened and on June Is the contract Tor ma'ers was
signed with Carnegie, Phpps & Co., OF Pusours,
Penn : the first frame bent on September III vi
the same year and the first keel plate was laid on
october II I'm two years from TINT time, on November
~ 1890 the big vessel launched Mt inc navy
Yard from the ways on which she ma peeh pun
together. Since then the immense huik mas Ill" III
the Navy Yard, in The waters OF WaaboW i''y' anu
the work of construction has gone on steadhy. i Il
few weeks the ship is to be put into the granite dry
dock to receive her heavy armor plating ana nave IL
riveted into place.
The Maine now lies alongside the dock. near the
ship house from which she was launched and under
lofty derrick. The interior Of the vessei presents
a scene OF much interest and great activity. oh t'e
upper deck men engaged In the construction Oh INC
superstructure in which to be officers quarters
and rooms used for ether purposes; there are three
amidshtps and one in the stern. On'tEe starbcard
side OF the ship forward and aft the port side, are
the barbettes, on which other wOrkmen are engaged )
only the shells of these two brbeties can he see as
the armor plating has not been put on as yet
Making his way down one Of the several matches on
the steps, he visitor beholds a somewhat dnereht
sight In some places the din Of the heavy hammers
is almost deafenlng; there are passageways, walls OF
iron plates marking the divisions Of the space parts OF
machinery cranlshafts and other pieces, may be seen
here and there on the floor bits Of iron and WOOD
litter wOrktabes grlndones and other appliances for
the use Of the mechanics seen here ana there are
small furnaces, in which rvets or small DTS OF iron
being heated for use In one place the deck plating
Is incomplete and the vacant space shows where and
how the protective deck plating is rveted This
plating is put at an angle the purpose being to protect
the vital parts of the vessel for If prolecte should
enter the ship in place not protected by the side
plating hitting this protective deck 1t would glance off,
account Of the angle at which the plates are SET
Part OF this plating Is in place. Workmen are every
where with the occasional fOremen and other overseers
From one opening in this deck the boilers which have
already been placed In the vessel. be seen. From
another large opening one look down into the hold,
where the engines to be placed and where
wOrSmen now preparing the way for them
Smoke is everywhere in this part OF the vessel
Piercing The gloom OF the smoke Is the gleam here
and there OF an electric incandcsccnt lamp. There
Is portable furnace, the flame blazing forth in the
dimness a perched on projecting platform and
at work on some Job be seen indstindly, with
his torch flaming at his foot; there many work
men here and their voices as they speak call
to one another sound strange; dark-lookns ropes
and cords stretch in all directions.
Mahng his way down the gtmy ladder the
visitor sees the work that is being done in this place
The men are at work laying Hhe bed plates which
the engines Will rest; they are boring rvetholeS
and preparing the plates to receive the engines.
These engines have been built by the Quntard Iron
Works, and parts Of them have already arrived in
the ship; few weeks ago the engines were set up
and had successful public trial at the QuiHtard
Works.
Throughout the Navy Yard the work OF various
kinds advances well from week 10 week. The force
In the Construction Department has been reduced by
the discharge of ABOUT ninety men. II became neces
sary 10 reduce The expenses Of the department, and
consequently the most incompetent men were dis
charged. Under this department is much of the
work on the Cincinnati and the two monitors, the
Puritan and the Terror. The engines which are
being built for the Cincinnati and for the Raleigh
are well under way. Two sets Of them
ready for the crnk-shafs. although hhe cranshafts
are not yet ready for them. Some OF the parts
which had been made for the engines of the Raleigh
were shipped to Norfolk during rhe week.
The monitor MiantonOmoh Is now In the timber
dry dock TO have her bottom scraped and painted.
The pant was 1Ound 10 De III BOOu dld Tie
bottom we'll preserved The preparations for the
travelling which no be put around the two
drydocks are still being carried The fret
of the IS TO arrive about January I.
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy james Russell Solely
spent parts Of two days Wednesday and Thursday, In
the Navy Yard last week. lie made our OF the
yard, and also had a long talk with Captain Erbcn,
tho commandment OF the yard.
A committee Of officers of the receiving ship Yer
mont is planning some athletic games for the enter
tainment Of the sailors OH Christmas Day. Not only
the hundred or more recruits on the Vermont but
other sailors In the yard will be invited TO take part
The facilities for such games are limited. but some
being made track for the 100 yard
dash is being laid out on the cob dock. Til, contests
will comprise running boxing putting the shot throw
Ing the hammer ard Others, and the officers will
provide small cash prizes for the winners. OF course
many OF tc men will ask for leave for Christmas DAY.
but the games Will furnish amusement for those who
remain. I N
Lieutenant W. s. Cowles, who commanded the
Despatch before she was wrecked. has been assigned
to special duty at the Navy Department. lie will be
engaged I'm duties connected with the organization of
the Naval Militia. relieving Lieutenant II. q. o.
Colby who has been ordered to lighthouse duty
Captain J. w. Philip, who is 10 command the new
cruiser New York when she Is finished has been de-
tached from the command OF the cruiser Atlanta in
order that he may be assigned TO duty b. connection
with fitting the new cruiser Tor sea In accordance with
the new policy OF the Government.
An inquiry was sent TO The Tribune few DAYS
ago TO define the difference between an armor.d.
and protected cruiser All persons familiar with
naval construction and naval affairs realize the ne
,esslty for some recognized system of nomenclature
or the various types OF vessels and the necessity for
keeping to IT, But with the confusion OF terms ex
sting, and want OF knowledge Of the subject 1t IS
not at all surprising that the public should be con
tho .uI.f lin
he classification used for cruisers will relieve the
.mbarrassme OF the novice that he win have no
iincuty IN understanding what Is meant By the diff
eient terms used
An armored cruiser is cruiser which hes nm armor
along her sides, that Is vertical armor. This I'm a |
ruscr practically means armor belt Such vessels
Is the Maine and New-fork ale armored cruisers.