The morning call., 1892-07-04
At MARE ISLAND.
The Work Accomplished at the
Navy-Yard.
What Is Being Done on the Monadnock
Another Drydock to Be
Constructed
Correspondence OF THE MoRxINo CALL.

Correspondence OF THE MORNING CALL
Inc fiscal year ending June 80 at the
Navy-yard at Mare Island has been one of
the most active ones for many years past.
Each department has accomplished a great
deal OF work, and with rare exceptions the
Work mas been performed in such manner
as TO call forth words of cOmmendation
from the departments at Washington. This
argues we'll for future work and improve
mentS here. AS it is now the only naval
station on tile Pacific Coast it is rapidly be-
ipg made first class in every respect While
the shops are now supplied with many vau-
able tools, as soon as the proper buildings in
contemplation are erected the large rolls
now stored under q canvas shed near the
water front " i'll be set up. When ready for
use no better machinery for the rolling of
heavy plates OF iron or steel will be in any
shlp-Duiding plant la the United States.
When these and other classes Of tools in
the yard are in place II Is probable that If
Congress passes the bill authorizing the
building of the proposed types of vessels.
and the Secretary OF the Navy has the APP
portlonlng, one IL not two will be built at
the Mare Island yard.
WORK ON THE MoNADNoCK.
Chief Naval Constructor Wilson and
others well qualified 10 judge pronounce
Inc work now being done on the monitor
Monednoek 10 be tirst-class in every re-
spect The boilers built BY the steam engi-
neerng department are the best of any that
have ever been turned out at this or any
other navy-yard, and their equal cannot be
FOUND on any OF the monitors or cruisers.
The machinery is being gotten out by the
same department and will be a credit TO
Chief Engineer John ". Moore and the sub
ri hn i'm,
department Is pushing work on the monitor
as last as material will allow. Good prog
ress has been made with all OF the bulk
heads below deck and wOrkmen are now
commencing ON the revolving tnrrets for the
lore and ait guns. The light iron structure
on the spar or main deck for use as officers
quarters while in commission is sufficiently
III place 10 give an idea of what il will look
ike. The military mast and top IS almost
completed The templates have long since
been sent to the East, and Constructor Lin
natd Is only awaiting the ret urn of the
III asSlye sheets of arm0r plate to put them
on. Some 70 men and boys are now work
ing on her in various capacities. IL will be
long time before she IS completed, but
when done she will be credit to the navy
yard, an honor to tho Government and a
protection to the nation.
THE IRoN-PLATING SHOP.
AT the head of the stone drydock is tine
lron-pl lating shop, now being fitted with new
and Hold tools just removed from the
construction and repair machine shop,
which has done good service for a great
many years. This vacant shop will proba-
bly, be used for store and tool room, it
being handy to all of the construction
shops makes il valuable for this purpose.
An unused smokestack ard dividing
wall Is bsing removed to better meet
requirements for other purposes
a powerful Corliss engine will run all the
machinery in the plating and other shops.
A 10 or Is foot gallery has just been COM
pleted around the plating shop. Extending
from one side Of the gallery TO the other is
travelling-crane capable of lifting any
weight that may be brought into the shop.
On the gallery will be placed the lighter
tools, while the main or ground floor will
be retained for the heavy planners. drills,
shears. etc. Near the rear of the building
room has been built especially for the use
OF emery wheels and grinders, of which
number are already In place. Around the
entire building on the lower floor wo rk
benches for use Of the workmen have been
set IN place. As soon as the boilers are
ready, work will commence in earnest.
On the floor ready for tho lathe are now
lying great castings for the tracks that the
guns Of the monitor are to revolve upon.
Under Civil Engineer Frank o. MaxsOn's
supervision fine piece Of masonry IN the
shape of quay wall has been built of
cement to the extent OF one hundred and
fifty feet west Of the ferry landing. As tides
will permit another piece of wall will be
built to the east of the stone dock.
ANOTHER DRYDoCK PROPOSED.
The chief of the bureau of yards and
docks advocates the building of another dry
dock at this yard for the reason, and it is a
good one. that the old sectional drydoeks
built 10 1855 are now useless In their present
e9ndl tlon. a ship has not been lifted cut
OF the water on them for year aud a half,
ii not more This class of dock Is use full in
Its way II IN condition, as many of the small
er vessels can be lifted out of the water at
much less expense than Is now incurred in
flooding the stone dock
Commander Glass, equipment officer has
few men in the sail and rigging loft max
ing canvas outfits and rigging for the coast
defense ship Monterey. The huge piles of
coal distributed about the yard gives prRcti-
cal evidence of one of the main necessities
OF the new navy, and what the equipment
department has TO furnish. The cruisers
require coal, and plenty of it, heretofore
the sailmaker and rigger was one of the
main factors about navy-yard. Now it is
the coal-heaver, the labOrer and the team
ster, tue iron-ship litter takes the place Of
the shlpwright and sDarmaker. The boat
shop, however. holds the same rank as
heretofore, and Foreman Thomas Vice
stlli continues 10 turn out as pretty models
as IN times past
Commander Clark of the ordnance de-
partment has but few men, though they are
practical In the manipulation of firearms,
and IN the uses aad results of powder
SOma are now employed at the magazine in
loading shells and taking account of powder,
shot aud SHE'LL
CHEAP FIREARMS.
board is at present engaged in making
an inventory of all obsolete stores which.
when completed, will be sold to the highest
bidder. This Is usually a harvest to the
eostermonger. just imagine, at the last
sale, lew months ago. lot of rifles and
revolVers OF good make and paratively
new selling for few cents apiece. Some
get bargain. others "get left;;" that's the
way Of the world.
The San Francisco will be the next ship
to arrive and the Boston the first to go from
the yard. Admiral John Irwin remains at
Inc head and front OF all that is being done
honored and respected by both officers and
workmen. Thoroughly conversaut with
litlle lear but that the Mare Island Yard
during the coming year will have its share
OF work when dealt out by the chiefs Of
the bureau at Washington. Under Major
H. A. Bartlett and Captain ii. &. Cochrane
U.S. NC, the Marine Barracks is a home
and perfect paradise to the marine sta
toned on shore. The barracks and grounds
are orderly ami well kept. A new prison
has Just been completed capable of holding
"a men. The Independence. the relic of
the days OF 1914, locks homeike in its
cleanliness. Commander Cotton aud Lieu
tenant Phelps take pride In the appearance
OF the old ''guardo" and in looking after the
comforts of boy and man.
ray Inspector Beaman aud Paymaster
Stanton look to the care of the public stores
and payment of the workingman.
PERSONAL NOTES.
Lieutenant Charles +. Pond looks after