New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-16
WORK AT THE NAVY YARD.
TAXING THE CAPACITY OF THE DRY-DoCKs.
QUICK WORK ON FOUR OF THE NEW CRUISERS
THE BENNINGTON TO HAVE HER FINAL
ACCEPTANCE TRIAL-TnE NEW CIVIL


ACCEPTANCE TRIAL-THE NEW CIVIL
SERVICE RULE FOR woRKMEN.
The changes that are constantly taking place IN
the Navy Yard, in the arrival and departure OF war
vessels, help to make 1T place of great acuVity anu
interest. such change in the last two weeks was
the coming of the Squadron Of Evolution. The veSsef
made a great stir In the Navy Yard for few DAYS
They were ordered to be ready TO sail on Tuesday, and
nasmuch as all of the vessels needed coaling, ana
some of them needed docking, 1t was necessary "
have rapid work DONE The Squadron was ahchoieu
n the North River and there the coal was put on some
of the ships But the Yorktown, the VeSuvius, the
poston and the Atlantic had very foul bottoms and
went to the Navy Yard to have them scrapeo ana
painted Both Of the drydocks were put In opera
ton and the work done quickly. Then the Vessels
were coaled and rejoined the Squadron, winch sa'eu
on Wednesday for cruise down east" Inc N'Ano''
however. did not sail with the other vessels. Inc
rain delayed the work her and 1t was NOT uh' yes
terday that the last of the coal was put upon uio
Ship which then sailed to reoin the Squadron at Ne"
London.
The finishing Of the new cruiser Bennington has
reached such point that she Is about ready 10 san.
Men were engaged at painting the part OF hcr nun
above the water-line yesterday and the rigging anu
small boats received attention and some OF the neces
sary stores were put board A dock trlal OF tne
engines has already been held and tomorrow me
vessel Is to leave the Navy Yard to receive her maj
official steam trial. First the Bennington VIII 20
down to Fort wadsworth. where her ammunition viii
be put on board. The Board OF Inspection VIII uieh
take I'D quarters on board Of her and go to sea 10
inspect the ship during the trial II the t1al is saus
factory the final payment Of money to the CONTAGIOUS
will be made The contractors. however arc
responsible for the vessel and the proper working OF
her parts until September 1, at which time the pay
ment falls due, and the vessel will be turned over 10
the Government For the trial the vessel VIII nave
a run at sea and If any heavy weather Is expenehced
all the better for the test Of her structural streng
The big guns also will probably be tried IL Is pos
sible that the trial will be concluded with some
special trials at London-such as running over
the measured mile and turning and reversing
manoeuvres Then any needed repairs or changes on
the ship will probably be made, and the general I'M
preston is that she will be assigned 10 the Squadron
of Evolution.
The Yantic is again back in the Navy Yard and
in the dry-doc and she is there because Of the same
old trouble-the leak at her stern. The last time
that she was put in the dock much attention was sven
to the leak. Examination has been MADE ana IL
probably will be necessary to remove the propeller
In order fully to stop the leak.
The last of the four big guns for the turrets OF inc
monitor Miant0nomoh has been forwarded from the
Annapolis Proving. Grounds to the Navy YARD, al
though IL has not as yet arrived there. The testing
Of the gun at the Proving Grounds was finished
month or more ago. but the gun was retained In oruer
that it might be used in testing gun carriage WIN
the exception of this forward tuet the work on the
MiantonomOh is at last about finished In manner
similar to that used on the after turet wooden frame
work dummies will first be put In place on inc gun
carriages to ascertain whether all of the adjustments
n, correct One of these taken to the vessel yes
terday When the dummies are removed the Two DIX
guns Will be slowly lowered into place IL VIII theh
take about six weeks to place and rvet the covering
Of the turret into place. Many of the officers for the
vessel have already been appointed, Captain Mont
gomely slcard being ordered to the command.
The work Of erecting the engines and machinery
for the cruiser Cincinnati goes on with good speed
The hot weather of the last week has somewhat de-
layed tho work on the hull of the vessel But the pr
cpa delay has been the non-arr1va OF material some
times important pieces of metal not coming un year
after the time provided In the specifications DIVERS
and workmen have for some time been engaged In
LAYING the ground ways Of the launching ways for
the vessel but the ship will not be launched before
next spring at the least.
The tests of bronze at the Navy Yard are about
finished and the report is being prepared 10 Do Seht
to the Department at Washington.
II is feared that the high estimate submitted
for the construction OF gate to the Navy fard
will defeat the project At the forkst gaze 'he
approach streets and the grades ana turn
iugs make entrance for any venice pau' anu par
tlcularly 50 for heavy wagons ana truchs' ne"
gate at the foot OF Sandss the proposed situanoh'
would be a great Improvement ana convenience ~
is said that the estimate submitted contains plans iof
nm elaborate gate and guard house, not at all neces
sary.
Much interest is taken among the officers at the
NAVY Yard with regard to the bids for building tor
pedo boat No q" to be opened on August 70. THIS
boat will be similar in most respects to the Cushng
now with the Squadron Of Evolution. She Will be built
of steel and OF not less than 12O tons displacement
The Cushing Is 116 TONS This Is the third time bids
for bIIt
rot satisfactory as to their conditions. and were not
accented The contract will contain provisions TO
the effect that the contractor guarantees that when
completed and tested for speed, under conditions
prescribed by the Navy Department and In smooth
water the speed shall not be less than an average
of "a knots an hour, maintained successfully for two
consecutive hours. For each Quarter Of knot de-
veloped and maintained above the guarantee, up to
and including 90 knots per hour, the contractor VIII
receive premium of 81 500, and for each quarter Of
| a knot above % knots the premium viii be $500
The vessel must be completed within twelve months
from the date of the contract but the award Will not
be made TO any builder builders unless he or they
can guarantee that within three months from the date
OF the contract ne will be possessed Of the necessary
pant for the performance OF the work In the United
! States.
The bids arc invited in two classes: First for
the construction OF the hull and machinery, including
engines and boilers and appurtcnances IN accordance
with plans Of the Secretary OF the Navy ana second
| for tho same work In accordance with plans and
specifications provided by the bidder She VIII be
about 40 feet in length 10 feet beam, and about
| feet inches draught.
| CAPTAIN Frben the commandant Of the Navy Yard.
has received the official order Of Secretary Tracy
regulating the employment OF every person. from
foreman to iaborer, In the Navy Yard The new reg
ulations will 20 into effect on september 1, and VIII
be the completion OF the Civil Service system to govern
all navy yards and stations. rs outlined In Secretary
Tracys speech before the Republican Club OF MASH
chusets. at Boston, about four months ago. me now
regulations are framed in order more eiiectualy To
carry out the provisions OF The Revised Statutes
which provide that worlSmen shall be employed with
reference TO skill and efficiency without regard 10
other considerations They also prohibit discharges for
poltcai reasons and make 1t unlawful 10 SOLICIT money