The morning call., 1892-08-15
NOTES FROM MARE ISLAND.
What Is Being D0ne at the Navy.
Yard.
Pushing Work on the Monaducck-Repairi o
the Thetis-The Light Problem.
A Big Crane.


The dredger is employed in scraping the
deposit of mud in front of the stone dock
preparatory to taking the Monadnock out.
which will probably occur Monday or Tues
day. She will then be moved to her old
berth abreast or opposite the iron-plating
shop which is the most convenient spot
along the water front. Al present force
ol go men are employed in the construction
ana steam-engineering departments on
work of various kinds for the monitor.
1hey comprise shipfitters, riyeters. IRON
ealkers, smiths and heavy forgers, boiler
makers, machinists, hammeT-forgers mold
ers. patiern-makers, laborers, boys and a
score OF minor artisans. Still with all OF
these others are yet required, and during the
past week the cOmmandant has found it
necessary to advertise for an additional
force of shipfitters shipriveters, ir0n-chip-
pers and calkers, iron-smths, drIlers and
holders on. Ii any such trades are idle in
San francisco by coming up to the yard
aud registering their names at the board of
labor employment. with suitable recon-
mendati0ns, they can obtain a situation
tnat from The present outlook will be of
long du ration. The work ON the monitor is
10 be pushed along with as much rapidty
rs IS consistent with good work. The con-
tract has been let to j. w. Kreling IL Sons
OF San Francisco for the teakwOOd that is
10 be used for the backing TO be placed in
the rear OF the arinOr-plates. This wood
VIII come from India and is the most suit
able Tor the purpose required.
THE THETIS.
force of fifteen or twenty men have
been put TO work on the Thetis, which will
have a new propeller and necessary repairs
made TO her engine and boilers. For this
purpose about.SSo00 will be expended. Be-
fore the month is out it is anticipated that
Inc Boston VIII be- on her way or at Homo
lulu to relieve the flagship San Francisco,
which, with Admiral Brown on board, Will
come direct to the island. The Baltimore
VIII also be here. Each will in turn be
taken in the drydock for cleansing and
painting.
All of the new ships are fitted with elec-
trlc lights, but while in dock they are not
allowed TO use the same for fear Of fire.
IhlS necesSltates the use of oil lamps. To
obviate this difficulty ii is proposed to con-
meet the wires on board the cruisers to
those OF the yard system, aud thus enable
the incaDdescent lights to be run all night,
a feature 10 be appreciated by those on
board.
The electric light plant at the yard is The
nrst one Installed III any OF the Government
yards, and from the start has given the ut
most satisfaction. Some thirty or forty
arc lights are located about the yard and
along the water front. Several arc lamps
are located near the stone dock. ana in such
convenient localities that work, il need be,
Gamble done while ship is in the block.
BIG TRAVELLING CRANE.
The last Congress made an appropriation
for the building and setting up of q 40-tOn
travelling crane to run on a track around
the sides aud end OF the dock. This will
cause an expenditure of some $4,000 for
the crane, material and labor. 1t VIII be
of great service in lifting into place the
heavy plates of aTmOr for the MouNdnoek
as 1t Is at present understood this work will
be done with the monitor in dock.
In addition to the crano money was ap-
prOprlated FOR the purchase of a steam loco
motive, which, with the railroad track run
ming In different directions, Will also be of
great utility.
What has long been needed at the yard is
q suitable stoTehOuse for oils for issue to
the various ships. AT present the ouly
storeroOms for this purpose is in the cellars
In buildings containing much valuable prop
erty. During the coming year suitable
brick building, with tanks and all modern
eonvenienceS. Will be erected, as money has
already been appropriated.
The Secretary Of the Navy has just issued
a general order In relation TO the act of
Congress regarding the Limitation of the
hours of daily service OF lab0rers and
mechanics employed upon the public works,
in which the time is limited to eight hours
in any one calendar day. The Secretary's
last order, prior TO this one, regulating the
rate OF pay 10 be paid in excess OF eight
hours was but foIerunner of this last
order.
RUMoRED CHANGE.
1t Is announced that Lieutenant George
NJ. StOney, now attached 10 the Charleston,
will be detached and ordered to the yard as
aid TO the commandant. Mr. StOney will be
welcomed to the station, as he IS genial
and pleasant officer. He is one of the Off
GERS that left here in June. 1881, ON the
Rodgers sent TO the Arctic Ocean 10 search
for the lost Jeanette. After visiting
Wrange and Herald Islands. and finding
the lost log and batch of letters left hy
Lieutenant De Long in that ice-frozen re-
giOn, the ship sailed back to st. Lawrence
Bay, put into winter quarters and was de-
str0yed by fire November so, 1881. In the
miserable huts of the natives a portion of
the crew remained for months, living on
walTus meat. uncoOked and unwasheJ
until at last released, aud returned
10 the navy-yard on the Corwin. Lieu
tenant Stoney was again sent north
with boatl0ad of presents for the natives
in recognition of their friendliness to the
wrecked seamen. While on the trip he
made many discoveries relative TO the geo.
logical, vegetable and animal kingdoms
which were received as valuable additions
to the Smithsonian Institution, and thanks
were given to him by tie Navy Department.
Some 260 men are now employed at the
yard, and unless the force is increased
prior TO the 4th of September no men,
unless great urgency arises, can be taken
on for 60 days. This Is in accordance with
an act of Congress limiting the employment
Of men that number of days prior To a ma
tiOnal election. Under the present system
OF employment st tnavy-yards it would be I'M
possible TO stock the yard with men of any
one political faith for party interests, so that
now when the political pot begins to simmer
and bubble aud boil up redhot. the willy,
versatile politician will have no need to turn
as times
Mare Island Nayy-yard.
Mare Island Aup ii 1900