The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-16
AT MARE ISLAND.
The New Commander of
the Pacific Squadron.
CHANGES ON THE MICHIGAN.
The Iroquois to Be Used as Ouaran-
tine Ship-Progress of Work
at the Yard.
CHANGES ON THE MICHIGAN.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL


ron, was hauled down from the flagship
MOhican and the flag Of Rear-Admiral Jo-
seph S. Skerrett. .. S. n, was hoisted at
the mizzen in its stead. The entire ships
company and officers were assembled on
the quarterback while the orders were read
authorizing the transfer of commands.
The flagship looks as neat and trim as
can be in her fresh coat of paint and clean
decks and polished brasswork. The repairs
TO her machinery have all been made as
called for by survey, her decks calked and
armament in good order. The quarters for
the admiral, though small are coy and
comfortable. The Mohicsn Is considered
the fnest-looking man-of-war now on the
coast, and. while not fitted like the new
cruisers or as large, yet she VIII answer TIE
purposes OF o flagship until something bet
ter is furnished, which will not be for some
months. unless the great naval pageant
in New York HarbOr in March next be
abandoned, as some of the late kilograms
from the East seem to indicate Is possible.
Admiral Gherardps white squadron Is
reported at MOntevideo, and having reached
that far they will probably continue on
their way to the North Atlantic, but IL
would require but little effort to send some
other equally as large ship as either OF
them 10 be used as the flagship and for the
better protection OF the interests OF the
coast.
A fine launch Is being fitted out for the
MOhicaD up at the steam-eDgineerlng
shops. The steam-launch was originally
built for the steamer Bear and for some
reason was not taken but transferred to
the Swatara. A new Ward boiler is being
put in the launch. and in the future 1t will
become a part of the equipment OF the
flagship.
A steRm-la launch formerly belonging to
the IrOquois is being repaired in the same
shops and Is to be put on board OF the
Adams as part Of her outfit.
All OF the boats Of the Adams have had or
are having general overhauling In the boat
shop, so that when they are completed they
will be almost as good as new.
The Independence sIeam-launch has
been furnished with a new boiler of the
Towne type. description OF which ap-
peared in The CALL some time ago. When
complete she is expected to eclipse anything
In the point of speed on the bay.
The HartfOrd's steam-barge is being
fitted anew for the use OF the commandant
of the yard. Extra pains is being taken to
make her q model OF perfection. When
finished she will be thing of beauty.
The machinists that have OF late been en-
gagged on the Mohican were transferred to
the Adams and Albatross.
The former ship came out of the drydecR
Wednesday last and Friday the Albatross
was taken into the dock. The new CON-
position propellers of this latter vessel have
been cast. and now that she is in the dry
dock her old prOpellers and propeller shafts
removed, the necessary repairs made to the
propeller shafts, and the new prOpellers
fitted to them, the lignum vit@ in the
sleeves of tn stern tube will be renewed
and bored to suit the tail shaft Work of
setting and connecting the new boilers is
we'll under way. and with the additional
force now available on account of the CON-
petiOn of other repairs will make rapid
strides toward the completion of the Work
during the coming week. The officers eX-
press themselves as well pleased with the
progress of the work and the efficient man
ner in which 1t is being performed Her
commander, Lieutenant-Commander Tan
ner, will be examined for promotion during
the coming week. An examining board of
officers has been designated. with Captain
Henry l.. Howison. U. S. n, captain of
the yard, as president OF the board. The
many friends of the popular commander
unite in wishing that he may be successful
in his examination.
The friends Of Commander Nicoll Lud-
low, L. s. n, former inspector Of the de-
par .ment of ordnance we're somewhat sur
prised 10 see him arrive at the yard Thurs
day morning. looking well and hearty and
with the orders in his possession to assume
command of the flagship Mobican. About
the same time he arrived orders were re-
ceiyed detachng Commander Henry L.
johnson, U. S. N, and ordering him home.
This is probably the outcome of the recent
trial of the latter officer for the responsible
ity of the grounding OF his ship.
Repairs to the Adams are expected to be
completed by Tuesday next so far as her
machinery is concerned. The painters will
then take her in hand, and she will be
painted from top to water line.
On the Ranger few changes are being
made eXprrimenLally, the most impO rtant
change being IN increase OF the lead OF the
engine valves.
There seems to be determination on the
part of those in authority TO pursue their
investigation into the cause of the trouble
that has always existed on this ship,
namely, rumbling noise when run at high
speed, until some satisfactory solution is
found. There is DO doubt that the trouble
is the result OF faulty design, and the study
Ia to find and correct the evil. Work on tho
Monsdnock's engines will soon be pushed,
al all other work at present in sight will
soon be completed. The force In the con-
struction department keeps busily en-
ployed On The inside of the monitor. All
work on the ontsides that can be done until
the arrival of the wood to be used as filling
or backing has been completed.
The coast survey steamer Patterson came
up to the yard Thursday and anchored OPP
poslte the machine-shOps. She will remain
here for some weeks.
Lieutenant Karl JungeD, u. S. n. of the
Patterson, has been granted years leave
of absence, and with his wife will leave in
few days for the East.
Another of the old wooden ships living ND
in Rotten row will soon leave the yard and
be taken up to Port Townsend, to be used
as quarantine ship. THIS will be the
Iroquois, she having been designated by
the department upon request OF the Secre-
tary of the Treasury for that purpose. All
useless gear will be stripped from her and
left al the island. A couple of boats will
be retained on board.
The naval reserves may secure the use of
another of the old hulks, and thus one by
one they will disappear from our waters.
As these old wooden ships pass from sight,
the need of the ship carpenter also dis
appears from sight and with regret
Last Tuesday Commodore Brown left
the yard for his home, and as he stood upon
the float at the island and the band from
his recent flagship from the forecastle
Mayed in soft and mellow tones SHOULD
Old Acquaintance Be Forgot" a tear glis-
tened in his eye. the pleasant memories of
the past few years passed quickly through
his mind and touched the chords of his
heart He was to leave them perhaps for
ever. So it is when the old ships pass one
by one down the bay either for another des-
tlDatiOn Tor service or TO be burnt for
metal that may be- IN them, the thoughts OF
their past usefulness and beauty cone at
once before the mind, and many regrets are
expressed at parting with them. IL must
have been gratifying to Commodore Brown
TO leave his command bearing the best and
kindliest wishes of all. The ships In the
bay gave him parting salute that to him
must liuger long with pleasant memory.
AT Lieutenant Stoney's residence Thurs
day night there was social gathering of
the residents at the station that was one of
unalloyed happiness.
Assistant Surgeon G. p Bragg, u. 5. NJ,
lately at the naval hospital, was transferred
10 the MOhican Thursday.
Hereafter all the apothecaries In the SER
vice are to be enlisted for general service.
Heretofore they were taken for the shin