The morning call., 1892-11-21
Old Wooden Sectional
Docks to Be Sold.
IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED.
The New Naval Constructor to Assume
His Duties To-day-WOrk Now
in Progress.
Correspondence of TIE MORNING CALL.

duty since the days OF farragut IN 1904
Although they have cost mint OF money.
yet they have paid for themselves many
times over. They have been the means Of
cementing the ties of friendship more
closely with other nations by the allowing
OF their use without cost
With the last of the ships Of the old navy
they. too, will be thing of the past, as
without doubt in few weeks. or months at
most, The docks will be offered for sale.
Several times boards of survey have re-
ported upon their condition, but the last
board of few weeks ago so effectually
placed their seal of condemnation upon
them that the department has approved the
report which effeciually condemns them from
further repair CT use. A year ago the
Bureau OF Yards and Docks recommended
that il the sectional docks were not repaired
then new dock should be built at the
Mare Island yard. AS soon AS the docks
are sold or destroyed the greater induce
ment there will be for a new dock. Should
the sections be put ~ at auction 1t viii be
a great opportunity for the San Francisco
ship chambers to purchase and tow them
to the bay, where. with required repairs,
considerable money could be made out of
their use. The Secretary of the Navy will
probably soon have an advertisement out
for their sale.
With the removal of the sectional docks
the appearance of the water front Will be
greatly improved. At no distant day quay
wall will probably be extended from the
stone dock basin down as far as the receiy-
iBg-ship Independence. Ii built. this would
allow of ships undergoing repairs by the
construction department to be near at hand
TO the iron plating and other shops.
The Chief of the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks. by recent telegraphic reports. has
recommended that Sl37. 93S be appropriated
for improvements at this yaId during the
coming fiscal year 1t remains TO be seen
what Congress will do with the request.
Judging from past experience, the amount
will be greatly raced when il gets into the
delegation OF gentlemen were at the yard
admiring the beauties and improvements at
the station. In the course Of the converse
tion with the head of one Of the depart.
meDts the remark was made by one OF the
Representatives, in response to request
for them to make larger appropriations Tor
this yard. "Why. we DO make appropria-
lions for this yard" "Oh, yes" answered
the Official, you % make appropriations,
but they are usually cut down SO low from
the amount we ask for that they are but lit
lie use in making all the needed improve
ments. If you gentlemen will only give US
all we ask Tor, Mare Island Navy-yard
would soon he the best-PQuipped and most
efficient yard in the United States. The
climate is such that the men can be worked
almost the year rouno.
On Monday the new naval constructor
will arrive and in few days assume charge
of the construction and repair department.
Coming as he does directly from the East,
and from a section where he has so recently
encountered sleet and snow, IL our beauti-
full weather Of few days past only contin-
ues he should be greatly impressed with the
salubrity of Cslifornia's glorious climate.
1t would also be the means OF his speaking
good strong words IN favor OF the Govern
ments building ship at this Davy-yard.
At glance he will be able TO fCresee in step
ping aboard the monitor Monadnock the vast
amount Of work that las been and is being
done on board Of her, much Of which could
not have so far progressed had she been
undergoing construction In one of the East
ern yards The adherents OF the party
about to come into power have for the past
year or two held out inducements to the
people that if change IN the administra-
tiOn would only be made they would guar
antee that the Mare Island yard would be
given cruiser or two 10 build. 1t is hoped
by the citizens of Vallejo that this guaranty
viii be fulfilled. Ii so, thousand addi-
tional men would be employed. To-day
there are 200 mechanics OF all classes at
work on tie Monadnock alone. She has
been covered over with canvas as protec-
lion in case Of rain. She is all ready to re-
ceive her boilers and engines; the doors
leading into the superstrueture have been
hung, the bulk heads below are all IN POSI-
ton, and when the wood tor use in back
ing, now on its way from China, is here,
will be put on. The next few months will
show rapid strides in the way Of her COM
pletion.
A large force of Neutrality-suspicious.
sailmakers and riggsrs-are at work on the
Mohiean. She will be ready for sea In
something like twenty days.
The Court OF Inquiry ended its proceed
ings Friday and dissolved. The report will
be sent to the department for examination
and final acting upon.
There has been considerable talk OF late
regarding changes in the command OF the
Pacific squadron. 1t has not been def
nitely settled who is TO relieve Admiral
Brown. and will probably not be until his
arrival at Washington, where Ii is said he
will 60 in a few weeks.
The flagship Thelis is still in dock. Her
hull has been treated TO several coats Of
white zinc, this paint being found to pos
sess the best anti-corosive qualities Of any
thing yet used upon the bottom OF shlDs.
Her new propeller will be shipped during
the coming week. She will then be about
ready for sea.
The Ranger and Aibatross are still I'M
dergoing repairs. Commander ii. Z. Mich
OILS, u. 5. N, has been detached from the
Ranger, and Commander Henry Long
nseker. q. s. N, will take command on the
31st inst.
Captain Of Marines Otway c. Bergman
rine Barracks TO relieve Lieutenant James
A. Turner. u. 5. Nj. c., who is TO 60 TO the
Monterey Ensign II. E. Parmenter,
U. S. N, will also be detached from the
yard and is TO 60 TO the Monterey.
1t is now expected that this cOast-defense
ship will 90 into commission about the 10th
of January next. By the ordering of her
officers to be In readiness TO 90 on board of
her IL would seem TO indicate that she will:
be In commission before that date. Captain
Il n,.io
greatly pleased with the style and appear
ance OF his ship; with the low freeboard.
barbette turret and great guns. With her
armoi and war paint on she could be pitted
against any vessel in the world and come
out first best. The Union Iron Works peo-
pie have been doing good work on the Mon
terey and 1t reflects credit upon them.
Lieutenant Charles w. Jungen, u. S. N,
of the coast survey steamer Patterson was
at the island last week. He is as pleasant
and jovial as ever.
The Patterson will come up to the yard
In week or ten days to receive repairs.
Civil Engineer u. S. G.. White, II. S. n.
will soon start out from the East for his
new duty at the Port Orchard Naval Sta
ton, where he is to superintend the con-
struction OF the new drydock. Work on
that dock will be started In about ten DAYS,
Work has already been commenced on the
new oiihouse for the storekeeper's depart
ment
Inc TRENDS OF Mr.. Gam Whith0me. who
has been clerk to the Beard of Labor EN-
pioyment since its Organization, sympathize
with him over the death Of his wife In San
francisco. Thursday, from a spinal CON-
plant from which she has long sought re-
lief. The deceased wife and mother was a
bright young lady. She was native of Me-
vada State. Three children are left TO
mourn their loss.
The Secretary OF the Navy will soon be
called upon TO have an examination for the
position OF master plumber in the construc-
ton department. the incumbent having
18th inst.
A man was once asked "why he quit
work." He replied by saying she would be
blamed II he would work for a boss who