The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-07
THE HARTFORD.
Her Fate Still Hangs in
the Balance.
An Entertainment at Mare Island.
An Immense Locomotive
Crane.
Correspondence OF THE MORNING CALL.

VALLEJO, Aug. Ga delightful enter
tainment was held at the resloehce VI
.Commandant and Mrs. II. Il. Ho"lson Oh
Saturday evening. In response TO invita-
tons issued. all of the officers and members
of their families were present Inc young
ladies gave a pleasing and well-renuereo
society piece. The Independence Dand
furnished music, and during the evening
fine collation. was served. This was the
first of a series of social parties. and all so
thoroughly enjoyed themselves that
repetition will be looked forward to with
pleasure.
The old flagship Hartford came out OF
drydock Wednesday last. and is now moored
alongside the quay wall. where she Is to
remain until after the report OF the lnSpec-
tion officers has been sent to Washington
to be acted upon by the Secretary OF the
Navy and various chiefs of bureau. 1t Is
estimated that something like $500 will be
required to place her in the condition re-
quired to make the necessary alterations.
re pairs. new engines, new boilers, etc.
Secretary Herbert may ask Congress to
appropriate the money. Ii not, the neces-
sary expense may be met out of the differ
ent bureaus that will have work upon her.
All are looking forward with interest to
the outcome Of the report of the Board OF
Survey. of which Commander Henry
Glass, United States navy. was the presl-
dent. A most rigid inspection was made:
Below the water line the hull was found
to be in excellent condition. About
twenty streaks Of her side planks fore and
aft will have to be removed and replaced.
Many of the interior timbers will be
obliged to be replaced. as also her decks.
The preliminary estimate made at WASH
ington contemplated the expenditure of
$500, 900, and that 1t would require two
years time to complete the work. The
board here is under the impression that it
Will require much less time TO do the
work. No matter what length of time it
takes the work will be well done and
prove boon to our people.
The semi-annua register of officers on
the active list in the United States navy
was received at the yard and distributed
to the off ers. 1t proves to be an inter-
esting and valuable little book of refer
ence. The casualty list shows "a retire.
ments in the navy, in the marine corps,
20 deaths in the navy and in the marine
corps, / wholly retirement ana / dismissal.
Mr. W. E. Drew of Manchester. New
Hampshire, has been awarded the con-
tract for constructing a Acton locomO-
tive jib crane for use about tie stone dry
dock at the Mare Island yard. The crane
is to have a working capacity of forty
gross tons at a radius Of Is feet measured
from the center Of the track, which is to
be from Is to 20 feet between the rails.
which are to be of steel, weighing 95
pounds to the yard. The crane with its
extreme load of 40 tons suspended is esti-
mated to weigh nearly 100000 pounds. aud
capable of hosting or lowering, turning
and travelling simultaneously or independ-
emily, and the machinery so geared that
fhnc ontt non ha milo ivyr cd
without reversing the engine. There will
be two hoists, one slow tor heavy weights.
with speed of five to seven feet per
minute and rapid hoist for weights up to
Is tons, with speed of 10 to 20 feet per
minute. ALI of the gearing is to be Of cast
steel.
The crane will be capable of travelling
around a curve, the radius OF the inside
wheel being seventy-fve feet. the length Of
the wheel to be twentY-nlne and half
feet. Differential gearing will be so ar
ranged that the speed Of the wheels on the
outside rail shall adjust itself auto
ally to the increased radius OF curvature
over the inner rail So that there will be no
sliding of the wheels on the outer rail. 1t
is expected that 1t will require some hf-
teen mon this to make the crane and ship ii
out here. In the meantime the track will
be laid down about the stone dock and
everything put in readiness tor this mon
StcI plCCc VI IudCuiuOlys hISH ia OStpoC
ANYTHING of the kind on the coast.
At present but little new work is being
done at the island. AS soon, however, as
material arrives for the new improve
ments heretofore mentioned work will be
commenced in earnest.
The yard launch Lively went out on her
trial trip Thursday afternoon. but before
going far was obliged by slight mishap
to return to the dock.
Enlistment Offices have been opened in
San Francisco for marines and sailors. A
number are required for service on this
and the Asiatic station. This is a good OPP
portunity for those desiring to enlist and
travel in foreign countries.
Work CfO00ed