The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-26
MARE ISLAND MATTERS.
An Active Week at the
Navy-Yard
CRUISERS READY FOR SEA.
Three AdmiTals Exchange Courtesies-W Work
on the San Fran ciseo-N sed Of
New Dsek.

VALLEJO, Sept 25-The past week has
been an unusually active one at the Mare
Island Yard. All has been hustle, lie ana
activity in shop and on board ship
The officers and mechanics at the yard
have been imbued with the same spirit of
enthusiasm for the progress Of their work
Two OF the white cruisers have had all
the work to have been done on them COM
pletcd.
1t is noteworthy fact that when the
evening Of the cath inst arrived, the last
stroke of the hammer was heard. Seere-
tary Tracy had issued his mandate that at
that time the Baltimore and Charleston
should be ready for sea, and to sail the
following day. His orders have been car
ried cut 10 their fullest extent, and the CON-
mandant of the yard is proud of the fact.
This afternoon they left the island, bound
for San Diego, with the broad pennant of
Admiral Gherardi flying at the main of the
Baltimore. This is probably the last time
she will be seen in this harbor Her des-
iinati0n is for the Atlantic station, stop
ping at all ports on the way with the fleet
TO accompany her. She had full supply
OF sea stores on board. The Charleston,
which accompanied her, was not so fitted
out. is, therefore, possible that she Will
go no farther than Callao or Valparaiso.
Strong efforts have been made by Ad-
coast as a flagship. His efforts, coupled
with the probable orders OF the Secretary of
the Navy, Will be the means OF retaining
her on the coast. Our people look upon her
as well as the San Francisco rs part aud
parcel OF the Pacific feet.
Admiral Brown hauled down his pennant
from the San Francisco this morning. She
was then no more part OF the Pacific
squadron. His flag was hOlsted on the
Ihetis, though he Will not take up his quar-
tiers on board.
His Headquarters for the present will
be in an Office in the equipment build
ing at the hayward All his official busi-
ness will be transacted there until the
arrival Of the United States steamer Mohi-
can from the North.
AS Admiral Browns time is out the 1st OF
January he VIII probably make but one more
cruise. that will be in the Mohican, either
to Honolulu or more than likely up North.
The San Francisco came out Of dock Fri
day afternoon and is alongside the wharf
taking in coal and sea stores. She will get
out Of here about the 1st Of October A
force OF men are working on her auxiliary
boilers and making other necessary repairs.
They will all be completed in time.
Admiral Bancroft Geherardi arrived at
the yard Wednesday evening He was met
at Vallejo junction by Admiral Brown, and
several officers greeted hlm al North Vallejo
wharf and accompanied him to the navy
yard. There he was received by Admiral
Irwin. Captain H0wison and other officials
and escorted to the commandments resi-
dence, where the three admirals remained
during the night.
Thursday morning lie went on board OF
the Baltimore and hOlsted his flag and II
was saluted by that vessel. the Charleston
and the yard battery.
As his flag went up and was broken, Ad-
mTal Irwin hauled down the blue and
hoistcd the red, while Admiral Browns red
flag went down and was replaced by the
white. 1t is the first time that three adj
mirals have been Ia command OF three sew
eral stations since the organization Of the
yard.
Friday morning Admiral Gherard went
to San Francisco, and. through compliment,
il is said, to Admiral Irwin. he hauled down
his nag, winch entitled the cOmmandant TO
again hoist the blue and Admiral Brown the
red pennant All three of these distin-
guished officers are warm and fast friends.
Admiral Gherardi, now the ranking officer
in the navy, was in 1870 commanding officer
of the receivlng-ship Independence. He
has retained his age, looks and appearance
well since that tme-n0t much older look
Ing, though not as portly as twenty-five
years ago.
With the Baltimore. Charleston. San Fran
cisco, Yorktown and Boston as his fleet,
the showing down the coast will be q cred
liable one.
The monitor Comanche went on the dry
dock on Saturday morning to have her
bottom seraped and painted. This is the
first time In two years she has been
out Of the water. The weeds and grass had
grown TO a considerable length, and it was
time she was scraped and painted.
Work will be commenced tue coming
week on the boats for the monitor MOuad-
nock-three cutters, two whaleboats, dingy
and steam launch. This will keep the boat
shop in work for some time to come.
mi of MAJ NIL vol
in the shops and on the Monadnock
The Alliance left the yard on Saturday
morning for Honolulu to relieve the Bos-
ton, which will join the special squa dron.
Ii was sad disappointment 10 officers and
men. whe had counted on seeing the ship
put out of commission aud being sent ONE.
Such is a sailors life.
Fifty-eight of the CharlestOn's crew,
whose time will expire before the 1st of
January, were transferred to the receiving
ship aud like number sent to the cruz ser.
Some fifteen marines from the barracks
were sent to the Alliance for duty, and
others went to the cruisers.
The marine officers al the barracks are
now wearing their new uniforms.
Strong recommendations have been sent
to the department shown the necessity OF
having another drydock at the yard.
One OF the principal reasons is the fire.
quenI dockage of the new navy. II, as dur
ing the past instance, three cruisers arrive
al the same time and all require docking,
each has to await its turn. Whereas, if two
docks were in good condition work OH each
OF the ships could be prosecuted at the same
time.
a cruiser should also be ordered COM
menced at the yard il for no other reason
than to keep capable and competent me-
chanics employed at all times, so that when
a cruiser comes In for repairs men will not
have to be sent tor from San Francisco to
favy -
structor Linnard is doing all in his power to
get the ship building plant, in order so that
when an order does cone be will be pre-
pared TO go ahead.
The San Francisco will have all of her
repairs completed and 90 down TO San
Francisco on the 1st of October and the re
await orders from Admiral Gherardi where
fo ioi ha