The morning call., 1892-12-19
AT MARE ISLAND.
Pennies Not Wanted by the
Employees.
WORK ON OLD WAR VESSELS.
Probable Movements of the New Com
mander-PersOnal Notes of
Interest.
Correspondence OF THE MoRSINe CALL

VALLEJO, Dec. 1S.-Strange as IL may
sound and appear more than 800 children
on last Monday night saw for the first time
the smallest piece of United States money
In use. 1t was pay day at the navy-yard,
and 500 or 600 men had obtained their semi
monthly wages. Paymaster SHIELDING, re-
Gently attached to the yard, paid off. Ia
the little brown envelope, where the change
to be given was odd. each man received the
amount IN pennies or 1-cent pieces, and from
as low as one to as high as four of these
funny looking little copper coins were found.
Many of the workmen themselves had
never before seen the like of them, and
wondered what they were good for. Some
SHE'D them at a passing bird. Others pitched
them at a marx, others tossed them up with
"a head / win and tails you lose" sort of ex-
preston, others tucked them away In their
jumper pocket TO take home TO the children,
while some. not being blessed with such
tender little offerings, laid them snugly
wait for Sunday to roll round. and
with quiet, peaceful, sanctimoni-
Gus lock drop one of them into the
contributon-box, with the thought cents
saved, nickel heretofore being the extent
OF their libeIality in that respect. No 1t
would meet the wishes of the workman, the
merchant and the deacon better # the
penny system so recently naugurated were
discontinued. The men say they do not care
TO be bothered with such small pieces.
heretofore, where the change was odd up
to two cents. he received the lowest,
and up TO three cents the paymaster
got the overplus, but in the course Of
the year 1t evened itself mp pretty well.
The Board OF Wages will be convened In
few days, for the purpose of arranging a
n IN ha Y.at a rrfr o.
coming quarter. As the rate of late has not
been changed in San Francisco. where the
members 90 for their information, ii il not
at all likely there will be many radical
changes made.
A board of officers appointed by the Sec
rotary of the Navy is in session, examin-
Ing applicants for the position of FORE
man plumber. Several gentlemen APP
peared before the board and explained
what they knew about plumbing required
on board OF men-of-war. After the appli-
eants have been examined the members of
the board will report TO the Secretary their
opinion as 10 the one best qualified for thu
position. The appointment is then made
usually upon the recommendation OF the
board.
Many OF the officers and their families
visited the city last week. and sill others
are going this coming week for the purpose
OF purchasing their presents for Christmas.
IL is the usual custom at the yard to have
a large Christmas tree set up in one of the
bu ildiDgs, usually the sail loft and all the
residents gather and spend pleasant even
ing. This year will be no exception TO the
general rule, as the matter is being quietly
talked Of. and many dainty little souvenirs
are already made ana laid by for hanging
on the tree. A programme is being pre-
pared, in which number Of the young peo-
pie will participate.
The Ranger came cut of the dock few
days ago and was hauled up alongside the
wharf. Her repairs will be completed as
soon as possible. With her fresh coat of
white paint she looks as eat and trim as
one would wish for.
The M0nadnOck's sides are being given
coat OF brown paint that has greatly i'm
proved her appearance on the outside. 1t
will not be long now before she is hauled
I'D under the big shears, and as her boilers
and machinery are being put in and set up,
it will then begin TO look IN reality that she
Is last approaching the state TO make her an
engine OF war and destruction. Her guns
at Washington are nearly completed, aud IL
required could be gotten here on short notice.
The apartments In the sGperstructure are
fast near ing completion and there is but lit
tie more work for the shipfitters to do.
Three OF her boats are well under war In
the boatshop. and from appearance they
have not only fine lines but are well made
and substantial.
Lieutenant J. II. c. Coffin, q. S. N, ar
rived at the yard Friday morning from the
East looking well after his journey He will
now remain AZ the island for some time. IL
will be remembered That Lieutenant Coffin
was sent 10 Samoa for the purpose of max
Ing the necessary soundings for tie building
of an iron wharf. Bids have already been
asked for 10 be opened next month.
Ii is understood that eight or ten compa-
MES will bid, two being from San Francisco.
All of the piling IS TO be of iron. Work is
TO be commenced as soon as the bid is
awarded and the necessary papers are made
out 1t has not yet been formally announced
who is the officer TO be detailed to 20 down to
superintend the construction Of The wharf,
as IL Is not a desirable duty. The conse-
Quence is there are but few applicants for
the honor
Admiral J. s. Skerrett, United States
navy, the new commander OF the Pacific
Squadron. will leave Washington for the
coast the 3ist of the month lie will stop
over IN Chicago, also in Ohio, for the pur-
pose OF visiting relatives ana friends, arriv-
ing here about January TO- His flag
ship, the Mohican. will be ready about that
time. From here she will undoubtedly sail
for Honolulu.
Paymaster H. G. Colby. U. s. N. Is ex.
pected to arrive soon from the Marion, he
having been inyalided home. Mrs Colby
went out TO China by one of the last steamers
to NEE. him. Paymaster Colby will be well
coined back home, he being one OF the most
popular officers that has ever been at the
valescence he will be assigned to duty here.
Lieutenant Commander E. G. Pendletop.
u. ). N, executive officer of the Monterey.
came up to the yard from San Francisco
last week and inspected the crew of that
ship, who are now Oh board OF the receiving
ship. number OF the petty officers will
be sent out from New York as will also sew
erai OF the seaman-gunuers.
Paymaster John c. Sullivan, u. S. N, of
the Mohcan, II he does not go out as fleet
cfnr han Thn -
ship Vermont at the Brooklyn yard. AS
sistant Paymaster Ryan. having been de-
tacbcd from that ship and ordered to the
Brooklyn yard. 1t leaves an opening for
Paymaster Sullivan.
Paymaster j. Il. Rediteld will soon be
detached from the Independence and or
dered East.
Paymaster A. W. Bacon will come to the
yard about January 16 as general store
keeper.
As Pay INSPECTOR G. W. Beaman is to be
dstaoGFd on the 31st inst, the duties per-
tanning to that ofiice will be filed by Pay
master Shedding until the arrival Of Pay
master Bacon.
Ensign G. II. Burrsgc. u. S. N, Is 10
come to the independence, and Ensign +.
l.. Bacon has been granted three months
leave OF absence from the "a OF January.
Lieutenant Charles w. Jungen, u. S. N,
and bis talented wife entertained our peo-
pie one evening last week at the entertain
ment gwen unuer tDo auspices OF the ladies'
guild, connected with the Church of the
Ascension. They are always welcomed and
heartily received in our community
Considerable work is being gotten out in
the sail and rigging loft for the Ranger.
Monterey and Alliance. The work for the
latter ship will be sent down to her at
Samoa.
The Thetis sailed from the yard Monday
morning last for the lower coast to engage
in survey duty. 1t may be- a year before
she returns.
The Alba,ross Is expected to 90 into dock
before long, a large force of mechanics are
at work on her boilers and machinery. Her