The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-23
AT MARE ISLAND.
Progress of Work on the
MOnadnoCk.
THE NEED OF A NEW TUG.
One of the New Torpedo-Boats Might
Be Built at the Yard-Per-
sonai Mention.
Correspondence of THE MoRNrSa CALL

VALLEJO, Jan. Glowing to the an
nouncement of the death OF ex-President
Hayes the regular hop to have been held at
the island Wednesday evening last was
postponed until future date. Many of
our residents remember the visit of the
deceased during his incumbency and the
pleasure they experienced in his company.
Since that time no President of the United
States has visited the nsvy-yard. 1t would
be of great benefit to the station il the chief
magistrate and the Secretary Of the Navy,
on assuming office, could find it convenient
to make an official visitation to each of the
Government works on the Pacific Coast and
thus become practically familiar with their
requirements. The Mare Island Navy-yard
being the only one on the coast should be
given all the chance possible to make il first
class in every respect. This, in measure,
can only be done by the heads of the Gov
eminent by personal observation, placing
themselves in a position TO make recon-
mendatiOns that Will be productive OF great
good.
This session of Congress is expected to
set apart sufficient amount of money TO
enable the building Of several structures,
for which plans have already been made,
for the housing Of a fine lot Of tools that
have been received for use in iron-shiD
building. AS soon as these tools are set up,
tie yard will be in fair way of being
properly equipped for this class of work.
Much surprise has been expressed by
visitors TO the navy-yard ST the magnificent
WORT that is being done on the Monadnock
with the limited means az the dis
poSal OF the yard officials. During
the past few days the water-tight COM
partments in the monitor have been
4ad nd fNpnd IN ba nerfppflV salts
factory. The blocks and cooperage be-
longing to the ship are well under way. No
orders have yet been issued to commence
regarding the furniture that is TO be put in
her, though all of the plans have been
made, and from appearances 1t VIII be OF q
neat and substantial CT aracter. The steam
engineering department workmen are still
employed on the machinery. The boilers
are about ready for putting in. and, If moth
ing unlocked for prevents, the lr0nclad
will soon be moved from her present berth
and hauled up under the shears to receive
her vitals.
Our people are anxieusly awaiting the ar
rival of the Monterey, that q comparison OF
the ships may be made. Ii nothing prevents
the Monterey viii be at the yard about the
lst of February. and will so into commits
sion soon after Her ouJht Is ready, crew
selected and officers designated.
AS the torpedD-boats that have been ap-
propriated for have not yet been designed
1t is hoped that Mare Island will be given
one of them to construct.
The yard authorities greatly miss the SER
vices OF proper tug for conveying stores TO
San Francisco for shipment. There is one
in the East, it is said, at tile navy-yard at
Boston, that was specially built for the
Mare Island yard. 1t is thought that il
proper representations could be made by
cur representatives. in Congress to the de-
partnent that the tug could be sent out to
the yard.
Workmen are engaged in getting the Iro-
quois ready for turning over TO the Treas
ury officials. AS soon as they present them
selves With the proper certificates the old
hulk will be towed up TO the quarantine
station near Port Townsend, W ash, to be
used as a hospital ship.
AS usual thing the health Of the resi-
dents at the navy-yard Is uniformly good,
but on account Of the existence of diph-
liberia and scarlet fever in town the navy
yard authorities have for the present sus-
pended intercourse between the island and
our city so far as relates TO children. At the
time the quarantine measures went into
effect number OF children, residents at the
yard, unfortunately for themselves, hap
pened to be at Vallejo, and for the present
they will continue to remain here. The
best sanitary measures are being taken by
the medical staff at the yard, and every
effort will be made TO ward off the disease.
The fifteenth OF the present month the
locomotive for the yard was shipped from
the factory at PRtsburg and is expected TO
arrive in a couple Of weeks.
Lieutenant-C Commander j. G. Morong, u.
s. n. at present one Of the members Of the
Board Of Inspection at San Francisco, has
been detailed to command the Puget Sound
naval station, vice Lieutenant A. b.
Wyekof, L. $. n, who Is to 20 East to 90
before a retiring board for examination on
account of III health.
Commander Thomas Perry, u. s. N,
lately here in command Of the lighthouse
district, has been assigned to the gunboat
CastinP, now under course OF construction
at Bath, Me. His friends are pleased TO
learn Of his new command.
The flagship M0hican is ready for sea.
and the admiral is only awaiting orders 10
proceed. Perhaps they may not be ordered,
as short time ago expected, 10 the Sand
wieh Islands, but to the Bering Sea.
England is about to send out one of her
most powerful ships 1t is said, 10 keep an
eye on the Russian bear. II would be
wise move TO have some Of our new cruisers
in the Pacific just to watch any little by
play that may be INDUCED in. Admiral
Skerrett should be provided with one of the
new chasers that he may have an orpOr-
tunity Of watching the game. The Boston
Is still at the Islands, and orders having
been sent to the Alliance to return to the
United States she may be looked for within
a couple OF mouths providing tie thumpiDg
size received during Tue recent hurricane At
Samoa will not cause her TO remain there
for a longer period than expected.
The various ships at the yard are having
more or less work done upon them The
launch fitted up for the Mohican was put
into the water a few days ago and she
steamed along just like scared wolf. She
| far exceeded the most sanguine exreeta-
| TONS The other two steam-launches,
undergoing repairs, II turned out as good as
the above. will cause them to fairly dance
| through the waters.
Five powerful capstans Just from Provi-
! dence were landed at the yard Thursday
night. to be set in position on each side and
| end OF the stone drydock.
| Several of the boilers that are now In the
sectional drydocks will be taken out of
them during the present week, preparatory
| to tie sections being advertised for sale
| The four boilers TO be removed were put in
| only two or three years ago. and have neve r
| been used.
| A board OF examination was held during
the fore part Of last week to pass upon the
| qualifications of Lieutenant Commander
| Tanners proficiency for promotion to the
| grade of commander The various appren-
! tees at the yard are also he examined dur
Ing the coming week as to their aptnoss and
skill in the trades to which they have been