The morning call., 1893-11-27
Work in Progress at Mare
Island.
THE BOSTON AND THE ALERT.
Testing the MonadnOck'S Boilers.
An Exhibit for the Mid
winter Fair.
Correspondence OF THE MORNING CALL.

VALLEJO, Nov. 26.-Word has been re-
ceived OF the passing OF successful mem
tai and moral examination Of Commodore
Joseph Skerreti. U. S. N. to the grade Of
rear-admiral. to which high Office he will
be presented upon retirement OF Rear
Admiral John Irwin, u. S. N. April Is,
1894.
Accompanied by his wife and two daugh-
tiers Commodore Skerrett left on the last
steamer for China 10 assume command of
the Asiatic squadron.
Two of the Monadnock boilers first
made for the Monitor. but afterward aban-
doned. have been undergoing test during
the past week. with view of putting them
in the Alert when repairs have been or
dered commenced on her.
The two boilers of similar pattern that
were placed in the Albatross were found
to give such good satisfaction that 1t is
proposed to use a set for the Alert.
The Alert and Boston have been hauled
in alongside the wharf. to remain while
the buoy at which they have been made
fast is repaired.
A force of machinists have been engaged
in disconnecting the machinery on the
Boston previous TO the survey and for the
purpose of ascertaining the amount of
repairs TO be done. This is usually the
case. as it gives the Board of Inspection
better opportunity of getting at each and
every part of the machinery.
Quite force of riggers and sailmakers
find employment on the outfit of the Alert,
which will require some six weeks TO CON-
plete.
A lot of rifles are being carefully boxed
up at the ordnance department for ship
ment 10 the East.
The turrets have been completed on the
Monterey, with the exception OF boiling
them in place. which will be proceeded
with without delay.
The MonadnOek has been hauled back
TO her old berth near the ferry slip. Work
Of putting on her armor will soon be COM
menced.
The Mohican has just received fresh
coat OF paint. The coming week will see
her in the drydock.
Chief Engineer McNair, U. S. N, for
merry OF Philadelphia, reported last week
for duty on the Board of Inspection of
Stores. The chief will also act as an as
slstant to Chief Engineer Kuiz In charge
of the department of steam engineering.
Proposals will be opened the 9Th of
December for lot of lumber and other
material for use in building An extension
TO the quay wall. adjoining the feFry-slip;
also for making an addition to the pattern
shop. When the latter work is completed
Foreman Pattern-maker Street will have
ample space for storing away the many
ana varied patterns In his department.
Several Of the old pontoons have been
blown uD during the last week.
Quite number of curusities gathered
from all parts OF the world are in hopes 10
be obtained from the proper authorities to
be placed in the Solano County exhibit at
the coming Midwinter Fair, among the
nQllapflnn q ~ -
by Lieutenant Starey from Put
nam River, named by him. in North
ern Alaska, a distance OF 500 miles
further up the river than white men
had ever been, and where the natives had
never set eyes on white people prior to the
visit of Lieutenant Storey and his fellow
explorers.
The large skin canoe. holding three per-
sons, which was used in conveying the
lines to the shore at the time of the burn
ing OF the Rodgers. sent north TO search
for the Jeanette. is among the objects of
curiosity; implements of warfare, cap
tured from the Koreans by Admiral John
Rodgers, among which are a pair of breech-
loading guns more than 300 years old.
Objects such as these would prove of in
terest to visitors at the fair.
On Saturday morning on the tug Nellie.
In charge of an officer and two marines, a
Chinaman was conveyed TO San Fran cisco
Dh VI Tue mail steamer
for China, to be depOrted under recent
laws. The Cbinaman was brought here
on board of the cruiser Boston. in COM
pany with another Celestial amen able to
the laws, who as soon as an opportunity
offered after the arrival of tie Boston made
his ESCAPE.
Commander Charles E. Clark, u. S. N.
now IN charge Of the department of ord
nance, will be detached on the 3Oth inst.
and ordered TO command OF the limited
States steamer Mohican. to assume COM
mand the 1st of Decembe vice Commander
Nicoll Ludlow, U. S. N, detached, who
Is expected to 60 East for duty in one of
the departments. No one has yet been
mentioned TO assume charge of the ord
nance department.
An order has been Issued designating
Thursday. the Both INST, as a holiday for
those employed at the navy-yard. The
employees will receive their per diem nay
as usual.
The cOmmandant clerk, Mr. William ii.
Skerrett. has been laid up sick for the past
ten days. His friends will be glad to learn
OF an Improvement noted in his health.