The morning call., 1893-10-23
War Vessels Lying at
Mare Island.
TRAINING ON THE ALERT.
Dredging the Channel = Interesting
Departments of the Yard-Per-
Sonal Notes.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL

VALLEJO, Oct. 22.-TueSday, the 18TH
inst. board of examiners will convene
at the navy-yard for the purpose OF exam
ing all corners for filling the position OF
quarterman machinist in charge atisat
The salary is So CA per diem. No applica-
tion will be received after Monday. Each
applicant will be required to state in his
application his name. Iage. residence, ctI.
zenship, present occupation. the shop and
position wherein employed and previous
employment or work done. The examina-
tion will be of a practical character. hav.
ing reference exclusively to the require
ments of the position to be filed and his
possession of the qualities that will enable
him to get 20 cd work out OF the men en-
ployed under him.
The above is in accordance with the
rules that have been in existence for the
past few years, and SO far works to the
satisfaction of all. The foreman now
feels, as do those under him, that they are
working on their merits alone. and fol
this reason IL for no other fine class oi
work is being performed on all objects in-
cideDtai to naval station.
The United States ship Moilcan arrived
at the yard Friday afternoon and at once
made fast to the quay wall. A board OF
inspection will at once, in accordance to
naval regulations. make an inspectio OF
the ship and ascertain what will be re-
quired in the way of needed repairs. All
during last week scene of life and activ-
ity has been displayed ON board the cruiser
Boston. Her armament has been removed,
stores taken OuI, spars and rigging sent
down and carefully slowed away. Friday
afternoon she was taken in dock, where
her hull will be thoroughly examined. 1t
is not at all unlikely from the tone OF the
officers on board OF her that year will
elapse before she is again commissioned for
sea duty.
The Alert, now lying In midstream. will
for the time being be used by the boys 0D
the receiving-ship as sort of training
vessel. This will give the youngsters good
exercise and much needed practice aloft,
and in sending up and down yards.
A force of some seventy men are work
ing on various parts of the Ranger. 1t is
the intention to fit her for duty as soon as
possible.
Owing TO the Boston and Alert going out
of commission enlistments on board of the
receiving-ship have practically ceased, and
at the barracks the guard has so increased
in mum bers that but two recruits per month
are allowed 10 be enlisted. This occasions
large number of sea-laring men to be
seen on our streets.
BY order of the Secretary Of the Navy
Captain Cochrane, U. S. Nj. c., has been
restored tn duty at the barracks.
The Naval Inspection Board, which con-
ducts the trials Of ships bdilt for the navy,
will come to the coast for a few weeks.
and in addition to those appointed from
here will inspect the Olympia aud watch
4. Co. d. hnr
Saturday morning the dredger COM
menced operations. The San Francisco
Bridge Company have the contract for per-
forming the work of removing the mud in
front of the working part OF the island.
and piping it in the tules south of the sec
tional-d0ck basin.
The rigging and canvas outfit for the
OLYMPIA is nearing completion.
The navigation storehouse has just been
fitted with lot OF new shelving. upon
which the books for issues as libraries
have been neatly arranged. Everything
in this department appears to be arranged
In tiptop order. 1t is quite an interesting g
study for one having the time to 20
through this part of naval supply depot
and witness the many and varied instru-
ments that are required aboard of ships.
Electric apparatus, search lights, sounding
gear and flags of all nations are but a
small part of the collection to be found in
this department of scientific knowledge.
The ordnance department Is another OBJ
ject OF interest. Here are shown the i'm
plements used in actual warfare. Grains If
powder hardly visible to the eye range to
the SIZE OF cube OF magDesia. Guns and
rifles, pistols, battleaxes, bOardihg-pikes.
cutlasses. Tevolvers, Gatllbg guns. Hoch-
kiss guns, torpedoeS and the various new
guns used as secondary batteries up 10 the
largest rifle-guns form striking contrast
to the smooth-bore guns of a quarter Of a
century ago. Not least III point OF interest
are the strides that have been made in the
matter OF charges used, from the old-time
cotton powder bags to the new cylinders
used in charging the modern rifles. The
magazine grounds and buildings are models
of neatness and.safety.
Gunner Thomas Nj. Johnson, who for so
long has been stationed at the magaZi d e
Qhe officer performing at the risk of his
life such valuable service the eventful
morning when the Boston was last here
and al the time of the blowing up of the
filling-house), has been ordered from the
yard to Cramp & Sons shipyard at Phia-
delphia. His place will be filled by Gun
ner William Halford, u. S. n, an equally
brave man. who at the risk of his own
life went thousands of miles ina whale
boat to effect the rescue of his officers and
ShipmateS OF the wrecked Saginaw. For
DAYS without food or water, just as the
wishe d. for land was reached at Honolulu,
the boat was overturned 10 the surf. The
half-famished and dying men were cast
into the sea. Mr.. Halford endeavored to
save the young officer by swimming with
him on his back. The waves lashed and
foamed about them and finally cast them
| upon the rocks. Life had departed from
his superior and all others were dead ex-
cept one. Mr. Halford with much diff
Guilty reached the settlement aud spread
the news and was the means of saving his
wrecked shipmates. Gunner Haiford has
of late been assigned to the monitor Mon
terey, and our people will bs pleased 10
know he is to be again stationed with US.
The M0nadn0ck was shifted from her
berth Saturday morning to up near the
coal wharf for the purpose Of allowing the
dredging machine to work In front Of the
drydock.
A naval court-martial convened Friday,
with Captain Louis Kempff, U. S. n, COM
manding officer of the Monterey, as prasi-
dent. for trying such cases as may be
brought before the court.
The huge bending-roils have been run q
number Of days of late and appear to work
| satisfactorily. Sheds will be erected over
the machinery as soon as the material ar
rIves at the yard.
1t is expected the work of dredging will
be completed in less than months time.
Il IL