The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-18
FROM MARE ISLAND.
A Large Force of Men at Work
on the MOnadnOck.
The Training-ship Preject-Cartain Howison
to Be Captain Of the Yard-A New
Tug Wanted.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALI.

VALLEJO, July 1.-THE steam engineer
lug and construction departments at the
hayward have at the present time the
greater number of their men employed on
the Monadnock. 1t is not believed that the
shutting down of the Bethlehem mills will,
have much effect or hinder the supplying of
the plates Tor use as armor, for the reason
that The compan takes its own time in fur
nIshing the material. This yard being so
lar away from the seat Of government it
seems as though Eastern contractors can
nave any ume gwen that they may require.
IL is DOT the iault OF those IN charge or at
WORK upon the monitor if she is DELAYED in
completion. The men work fast and well.
he engines OF the Boston have Just re-
celved complete overhaulng, ana by rea-
son OF certain changes made they ara now
better than when she first went into COM
mission. The ship Is ready for sea- and il
III were not Tor the court Of Inquiry now
being held at the yard, of which The COM
mander, captain q. G. Wiltse, is the pre-
siding officer, she would before now be en-
her way 10 the Islands to relieve the San
Francisco. he latter ship on her arrival
mere Will be at once taken in The granite
DECK and have her hull scrapcd and painted.
From here the flagship will be sent up to
Puget Sound to visit each of the ports
there. The Baltimore and Charleston will
then, 1t Is expected, return to the navy-yard
Tor short stay and then cruise down the
coast.
THE THETIS.
No lntimation has as yet been given out
regarding tie destination of the Thetis
now lying alongside of the quaywall. 1t is
often remarked that IL would be strange
when poor workmanship is attributed 10
Inc steam engineering department on the
Ranger II the same would not have occurred
in the case Of the Thetis which underwent
about Tue same style and class OF repairs to
her engines This little ship, just pulled
out from the yard, went up north, then
down to the Sandwich Islands, remained
there for some time, hoisted up anchor at
four bells, the word go ahead" was given
ana sha came across to San Francisco with
out not journal or an empty Oil feeder, ar
living tack 10 the yard with her engines in
as good trim as when she started out. Shs
Is Trim little snip. anu Captain Reiter is
pretty proud of her and her capabilities.
THE TRAINING SHIP PROJECT.
No word has yet been received re garding
the possibilities OF one Of the ships lying
cut IN the stream being fitted up for train
lng-ship, although it is said that the Secre-
taTy Of the Navy Is In favor OF The Swatara
being altered and fitted for such purpose.
Estimates as to the cost have been for
warded TO the department. There are other
ships, u Is said. that would be better
adapted, and could probably be fitted
up with better c0nveniences and more
economically in The end. The Pensacola or
Omaha may be cited; either are better than
the Swatara. They are large enough, so
there would be no need Of taking out the
boilers and engines TO obtain the necessary
amount OF room. The Pens acola would
probably require new spardeck, as the one
now on IS in a bad condition. Ii she should
ever <" to sea again the deck would have to
be replaced. II might We'll be done at
this as at any other time. There are
plenty OF idle ship-earpenters who would
be only too well pleased to be called upon for
this work. Ii Is believed shat If the proper
representation is made to the Secretary by
our Representatives IN Congress and the
citizens OF San Francisco, he would willingly
grant The request Tor either one Of the ships
named 10 be substituted for the Swatara.
il has not yet been decided by the depart
ment, so lar as heard from, who the success
fu bidder will be for building the new dry
dock al Port Orchard. The bids were opened
aud announced in The CALL a few days
ago. 1t Is the opinion of almost every man
that has lad anything TO 10 with the build
lng or repairing OF drydock that the par
ties bidding a little over 100000, should
they be so unfortunate as 10 obtain the con-
tract. would come out at the little end Of
the horn financially. From $500. 600 TO $780,,
coo is quite range In figures. The parties
budding about $3.50 GOO Will come neaIest to
getting the work. II they dc, then
they will have to scratch gravel to
come out even. The matter of exeavating
and c0ncretlng up Is a pretty big item Of
expense, letting alone the caisson, the
pumps, the engines, etc, all OF which have
to be furnished in place. In his last annual
report 10 the Secretary of the Navy, Cap
tain Norman II. Farquhar, chief of Bureau
oil ards and Docks, recommended the build
me of another drvdOck at the Mare Island
Nayy-yard. 1t Is 10 be hoped that his rec
ommendatOn may be considered fav0rably
and that money will be appropriated 10 this
end. 1t Is not the intention 10 build dock
Ike the present magnificent and costly
structure, but one of smaller dimensions,
though fully capable OF service for the
smaller class OF ships and cruisers.
A TUG NEEDED.
What Is greatly needed at this station is
well-built, strong and large tug, with
powerful engines, one capable, if needs be-
TO send out TO sea. The old tug Ivy. for
merly the Monterey, now in use. is behind
the age in style of boilers and engines. and
requires from three 10 four hours in head
wind To make the trip 10 San Francisco
| Whenever n detachment of men is going
| East or coming by the Pacific Mail steamer
| she has TO 20 TO the city for this purpose
The same may be said of many Of the stores
| shipped TO the Asiatic squadron. They
have TO 60 by the same way. A short time
since 1t was announced that a new steel
| tug was being built in the East for
| tho Mare Island yard. or late nothing has
been heard concerning the tugs There being
three Of them contracted tori, and their as
signment. Assistant Secretary OF the
Navy j. X Solely has this particular arm of
the naval service under his control. and it
| is believed he viii use his influence In have
one of the three sent TO the Mare Island
yard. The tug Nellie is undergoing repairs,
and when completed she will perform excel
lent service.
new system of railroad tracks will be
laid about the yard, the better TO enable the
transporting of freight and material to the
shops and stoTehonses. The tracks now
narrow will be relaid to regulation width
A steam engine will probably be purchased,
also suitable Hat cars. The track will be
| extended around the head and two sides of
| the dTydock into the iron plating and ma
! chine shops, along the water front to the
freighth0use, etc. which will prove of great
! advantage IN carrying on work and lessen
ing the labors OF horses and men. The old
OK teams are now only known in remem-
| brance. A year or two ago the fiat went
| forth that they were TO be abolished
ana horses used in their stead. 1t
seemed very hard to part with them.
| Since the. days of Farragut, when
/ he assumed command of the yard in 1854.
the OK team held sway, and hauled the old
| bull trucks and timber wheels around the
| yard through the various commands of
| GOldsborough, Alden, Craven, Sefridge.
Rodgers, Calhoun. Phelps. Russell. Bel
by the recommendation of Captain Kemp,
caused them To be abolished. Some
were sold at auction, and the last one, too
old and too poor to find purchaser. was
Sakeb uoWn 10 tue lower emu OF the Island
and killed and buried by butcher for his
hide and taliow
by the way, here Is complete list of the
commandments OF the yard since the time of
Farragut: Cunningham, McDougail, Gard
n"r, Goldsbordugh. Alden, Craven. Sci.
fr dgo, Rodgers, Calhoun. Phelps. RusselI,
belk 80. Benham snd Irwin
line rca iway extending from the Naval
Hosp n"wn to the 10 wer end of the ISL
and l. NJ built that will prove one OF the
most substantial conveuience5 made for a
long time.
CAPTAIN OF THE YARD.
Captain Henry L. Howson, u. S. N. has