The morning call., 1892-11-07
MARE ISLAND MATTERS.
Latest News From the White
Squadron.
WORK ON THE MONADNOCK.
Repairing the Mohican-New Boilers to Be
Placed in the Albatross-
Water Works.
WORK ON THE MONADNOCK.
Correspondence of THE MoRs1se CALI.

VALLEJO, Nov. 6-The white squadron
Gherardi, u. S. N, is pushing its way
south. Wherever the cruisers have called
into port they were greatly admired and
the officers received and entertained with
distinguished courtesy. On the oath OF last
month the squadron was lying in the pretty
harbor of Acapulco. All on board the
ships were well. From there the ships
were to sail for San Jose, thence to Panama,
being due there the latter part of the
coming week. From Panama the squadron
would steam down to Calao aud Val
pairaso, to leave there about The 18th of
December for Montevideo by way of the
Strait of Magellan. One night will be put
in probably at the penal colony, where it is
customary for ships to anchor. Persons
desiring 10 communicate with the squadron
prior to their reaching the Eastern States
Will have their letters delivered the
quickest by addressing them in care of
B. T. Stevens. Trafalgar Square London,
England. 1t seems long way round, but
it Is the shortest way for them to receive
mail.
Most of the ofrcers at the navy yard
and ships attended the launching of the
Olympia at San Francisco Saturday Ad-
mlral John Irwin, U. ). N, was present
with the following as his personal staff of
oiuceIs: IaptaIn y. D. Cotton, CDlet En-
glneer J. w. Moore. Lieutenant G. w.
Stoney, Lieutenant Fl. +. Parmenter, Pay
master j. X. Stanton, Major II. a. Bart
lett and Naval Constructor j. Ii. Linnard.
Rear-Admiral George Brown, u. S. N,
commander-in-chief of the Pacific station,
with his personal staff and a number of
Invited guests, went down from the island
on the tug Fearless, and returned after wit
Messing the lauEch Those having seen The
pew cruiser pronounce her fine specimen
of naval architecture.
For real fighting-ships there will prob
ably be nothing built that the monitor
ModadnOck, now being completed at the
island, would have to back down from in
case a test as TO their respective merits
were made.
Were such thing required and the ma
terial all at hand. the monitor could be
gotten ready for sea duty in say six or seven
months.
The work is progressing in great shape.
The military mast with its top is ready for
stepping, and has just received a couple of
coats OF paint, as has also the SuperstTuc-
ture.
The bulkheads between decks with the
exception of those between the engines and
boilers are completed. The hull is nearly
ready for the wood backing. which should
have been received long ago. just as soon
as the contractors deliver the material it
will be put in. and also the immense armor
plates, which are 10 come from the East.
x
placed In the superstructure which is to be
used as quarters for the officers. In time of
action this SuperStTucture could be shot
away, and no material damage done. Its
appearance causes the monitor to present a
formidable aspect. The turrets are about
| ready to receive their armor. The roller
paths for the turrets are ready to place in
the ship, and the gear for turning the same
is already in place. The engine-kelsons and
boiler-saddles are ia place to receive the
r4rviF lnfT -.
pieted as fast as possible. The air-poIts,
deck-scuttles and many of the small fit
tings are already In the ship, A great
many of the fittings, such as water-tight
uooTS, awning and rail-staUehiOns, are being
finished in the sn66s.- Considerable work is
required to be done TO finish the double
bottom, in the way Of cutting timber holes
| and making the compartments water-tight.
The steam wiDdiaSs is ia position, as are
| also number of bilge ard feed pumps. The
| house pipes are all cast, and it was expected
| large yentilator would arrive during last
| week large piece Of metal work arrived,
| but 1t proved 10 be sent by mistake and was
Intended for the Olympia. Men are busy in
the boatshop on her boats. AS soon as the
iroEworkers leave the inside of the monitor
the wood dworkers will commence.
The Mohican is in the stone dock, and il
nothing prevents the work on her keel will
be completed in a few days, and she will
come out about as good as new. Compara-
her striking on the rocks. A board of In
quiry is now in session at the yard to learn
the cause of the accident.
AS soon as the Mohiean comes out of the
dock the TheuS will 60 in and have her pro-
peller put In. In about two weeks she will
be away from here TO do survey duty off
the coast of Lower California and Mexico
Captain Tanner of the Albatross arrived
last Thursday from the East. The ship has
been hauled down under the large crane
q hoiS ta6 In
pairs to this ship are to be made at the ward
and good job will be done. pair of the
boilers that were brought out here for the
Monadnock, but afterward decided not to
be used, are to be put in her. The boilers
for the Monadnock are of a different make
and pattern than first intended, which is the
reason of the ones now to be put in the
Albatross, not being used in the monitor
The ship Will be here for number OF
weeks.
The men went TO work half an hour
earlier in the morning and quit half an hour
earlier in the afternoon. commencing Tues
day last. A new steam-whistle has Just
been put in the construction blacksmith
shop for the benefit of calling the men to
go to work and quitting, it being claimed
that the bell In the yard could not be heard,
A large number of books of all kinds are
being assorted and packed in boxes to be
sent up to Port Orchard TO be placed on
board of the Nipsic.
The chances are that Chief Engineer
George j. Burnap. U. S. N, now in charge
OF the Monadnock's machinery, will be de-
tailed to the Olympia. He is the only chief
engineer on the coast available for this
duty, and ii would not be at all surprising
IL before long he was assigned to this duty.
The lately detailed head of the depart
ment of construction and repair. Naval Con-
structor David w. Taylor. u. S. n, will
arrive the latter part of the present m onth
and assume charge.
Tuesday being election day EMPLOYEES AT
the yard will be allowed sufficient time to
come over to this side and vote, though they
will have their time checked against them
for the time they are absent on this errand.
Undoubtedly but few will work at all on
that day, that is If the past Is any criterion
TO go by.
The condemned tug Ivy is lying In the
stream. alongside of the Pensacola, and
already number of prospective bidders
have had an eye on her. Remember she is
to be sold TO the highest bidder on the 25th
| of November.
An election will take place in this city to-
morrow, Monday, that Is OF great import
| ance to the people of the town as well as
| to the residents at the Navy-yard and the
| vast industries connected Herewith. The
| voters are TO decide whether they are
| willing to incur an Indebtedness 10 the
| amount of S250,000 for the purpose of ac-
| quirng lands, water rights, rights OF way,
| and all rights and things whatsoever neces-
| sary TO construct and complete public water
works for the city. The Trustees have Sc
| cured the rights OF fine stream of pure
water that is as fine as can be found in the
| State The water now furnished is poor
| and unwholeSome. The officials at the
| Island are strongly in favor of the proposed
new works. and hope the proposition may
| be carried bv a large vote. The Secretary
| of the Navy on Saturday afternoon sent a
| dispatch to the yard directing the COM
pna n a. rnSil