The morning call., 1892-10-31
MARE ISLAND MATTERS.
Dull Outlook for the Winter
at the Navy Yard.
COMMANDER EVANS GONE.
Little Interest Taken in Politics-Gocd Work
Of the Naval Institute-A Warning
to Boys.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL


Of SORROW has existed at The navy-yard dur
ing the past week on account of the death
of Mrs. Harrison, wife of the President.
Aamirals Irwin and Brown for the officers
of the stations sent words of coincidence to
the bereaved family. Flags were kept at
half-mast during the week, irrespective of
political parties. Our citizens seemed to
feel IS If one of their own household had
been removed from earth.
No increase Of force has been made at
the island for several weeks and will not be
for some time to come.
As soon as the ships now in port are re-
paired and away but little will be done out
side of Monadnock work. The outlook for
the winter months Is not at all promising.
The Mob lean is still in the drydock hav-
Ing her keel repaired where carried away
during her passage down from Puget Sound.
A court of inquiry will convene on the Sd
of November for the purpose of ascertaining
where the blame for the accident should
rest. Captains Ii. l.. Howison, l.. Kempff,
Commander Henry Glass constitute the
board, with Lieutenant Lincoln karmany
judge advocate.
Commander George F. f. Wilde, u. S. N,
relieved Commander L. d. Evans of the
Yorktown on Monday last. Commander
Evans, or Fighting Bob" as he is famil-
iarly called, started from the Island Thurs
dry afternoon for Washington, to arrive
there Monday Upon his departure the
men OF his recent command cheered him TO
the echo and ali the whistles on the boats
IN the bay blew their loGdest In vain en-
deaVor TO drown the music of the band.
Grit and merit win the sympathy and re-
spect of the followers of the sea. Comman-
der Evans possesses all the qualities Of a
gentleman, diplomat and naval officer
His presence in these waters would again
be greeted with delight.
The Ranger is still at the wharf and work
Is being prosecuted upon her engines and
boilers.
The condemned tug Ivy will be disposed
of by sealed proposals at noon Of Friday,
November % On application to the Navy
Department forms Of bids and bones, also a
printed list giving general information con-
corning the tug, will be furnished. The tug
can be examined after Tuesday, the LIST of
November. upon application 10 the CON-
mandant at the island.
The Secretary OF the Navy has issued a
circular letter giving permission TO all en-
ployes at the yard TO be absent for the pur-
pose OF going TO and returning from their
place of voting on election day. This is. of
course, on the understanding that they
receive no pay for tile time so lost. The
same privilege is extended for any desiring
to register Since the civil service rules
have been in effect but little enthusiasm has
been manifested in the political situation.
Political intrigues are now a thing of
the past. The system insugurated a year
ago is being faithfully carried out, ana a
man is employed now on his qualifications
and net on his political standing.
Owing 10 the large number or men on the
employment books and such a limited
amount of work TO be done only veterans
ere now enrolled unless in some particular
case. Veterans may have their names
placed on the books at any time, and they
are to have the preference over all others in
employment. General Tracy is a veteran
himself, and Is firm advocate OF the prin-
ciple that the defenders Of the nation should
first be remembered when employment is
given.
young man by the name OF George
B1ssford, employed in the construction and
repair department. accidentally placed his
hand under one of the steam hammers. He
now carries his hand in sling. minus the
middle finger.
The foreman in the shop has repeatedly
warned the boys and men to be careful Of
the steam hammers, for they are treacher-
Gus pieces OF machinery. One OF the boys
had his head under one Of the hammers not
long since. and was hauled out by the fore
man and given a severe lecture. Had the
hammer accidentally been moved an atom
OF the boys head would not have been left.
Admiral Irwin and his aid went TO the
city last Monday and took lunch on board
the French ship with the French admiral.
Much speculation is INDUCED IN as; to
what officer Will be ordered to Pago Page to
superntend the new wharf and pier to be
erected. Bids for the construction of the
same will be opened on December 1. The
work is 20 be completed within eighteen
months after the contract is awarded.
Some eighteen men were transferred from
the Independence to the Yorktown last
week.
Number 69 of the Naval Institute papers
or proceedings mas just been received at the
Island, and IS very valuable book. 1t is
entitled Buyers Aid. etc. and.is compiled
from the latest and best authorities and one
that every military man, whether in the
regular or the militia service, every police
man, mining or mechanical engineer, rail-
man and mill superln teDdent should have.
1t Is also good household book. The Naval
Institute Is composed OF large number Of
the officers here and at all stations who keep
up the publication by subscription, and 10
aid the finances Of the institute, so that its
possibilities may be enlarged, q limited
number of copies are ready for sale by the
institute; in paper 20 cents, boards 81, flexi-
bic leather, 81 %. Address II. S. Knapp,
secretary and treasurer Naval Institute,
Annapolis. Md.
Owing to the cruisers being away the en-
listment OF boys for the naval service has
ceased on board the receivlDg-ship indie
pendence There is no use Of their coming
up here to try it; 1t will be found to be
only time and money thrown away. Moth
ing short of a direct order from the Secre-
tary Of the Navy can or will accomplish the
purpose. Ii there are any boys or young men
in San francisco having this purpose in view
they should give 1t up at present entirely and
seek to learn good trade or profession.
Unless they have no friends, no home, no
parents, aud nothing to look forward to
in this world, they should not go into the
navy as blue-lackets. While the officers in
the service endeavOr to throw good In
fuences about the boy, his general associa-
lions are not OF the best. On shore, either
in domestic or foreign port, the doors of
what may be termed good society are closed
against him. While what few dollars he
may have slowed In the lining of his cap,
or monk bag" suspended about his neck,
lasts, he is received with open arms at the
bagnio, hurdy-gurdy or whisky-shop;
when gone, ike an old shoe, he Is cast out
of doors. So much of this business is seen
here In Vallejo, as we'll as in San Francisco,
that the heart often turns sick at seeing
the young apprentice-boys thus lured on to
destruction.
Plans are being prepaid at Washington for
forty-ton locomotive travelling crane SINH
lar to the one just completed in the East for
the New York yard for the Mare Island
yard.
1t is to be operated on track extending
around the sides and head OF the stone dry
dUck ana VIII convey armor plates such as
are now used weighing many tons, TO any
place desired. 1t will cost about $4,000
and will be the largest travelling crane on
the coast. A smaller crane capable of lift
Ing twelve tons is to be erected on the
wharf just south of the entrance to the dry
dock.
Proposals are out for the same, TO be OPEN
ed the 10th of next month; at the same time
proposals will be opened at Washington for
a couple Of thousand tons OF coal, a lot of
shingles, hardware, paints and oil, alcohol,
pipe and pipe-fttings, wash trays, gravel,
cement, brick, sand, lime. glass, lumber,
tin, solder, spikes, etc, to be used, in part,
for the erection of a building for the stor-
age of oils, repairing the wharyes along the
water front. refttng defective plum bling
apparatus in quarters, etc.