The morning call., 1893-08-28
Progress of Work ON the
Monterey.
GOSSIP OF THE MAYNARD
Lessening Danger From Fire Plans
for New Building.
Notes.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL

VALLEJO, Aug. 27.-The Monterey is on
the blocks high and dry in the stone dry
dock. The blades of her starboard pro-
peiler being slightly bent, 1t was 1ound
necessary to remove it, the better to en-
able Strengthening While engaged In the
work on Friday, Machinist A. Goodrich
fell from the scaffolding by the accidental
parting of rope to the floor of the dock,
fracturing his right wrist, causing pain
| full injury.
A gang of painters are at work putting
ant-fouling paint on the Montereys null,
which was thoroughly cleaned OF sea
growth before the work was commenced
The sea-valves have been overhauled and
crossings put on over the smoke conduits.
Nom conducting material. consisting OF
pulverized asbestos, has been covered over
the Ward boilers. and various alterations
aud necessary repairs are bein made Dy
the various departments.
AS soon as the armor plates arrive they
will at once be placed in position on the
unfins shed turrets. This will entail an
expense of several thousand dollars.
The quaywall and wharf estuary from
the ferry slip up as far as the foundry
buildings presents an almost clean appear
ance, nothing being thereon except six or
eight Of the armOr plates for the Monad-
mock.
The rubbish of years accumulation is
being rapidly cleared away. The road
ways between the various workshops, the
! old buildings about the stone dock and
| other places have been leYeled to the
| ground aud carted away. The old suffers
store has been taken down and the tim
| bers and lumber brought over to this side
| of the river to be converted into stable.
A soon as proper place is fitted up for
| the Fire Department horses in one of the
| brick buildings adjacent TO the engine
room the little old wooden stable abreast
of the shears will be torn down. With the
| removal Of all the old buildings and truck
| that has stood around for so many years
| the danger from fire will be greatly les
sened and the yard to visitors. mechanics
! and those residing on the island will pre-
sent a much neater and tidy appear
ance. The last of the frame and canvas
covering that has stood near the guard
! house protecting the huge bending rollers
| and gear was taken down Friday after
noon. The rollers have been transported
! to the site of their resting-plaee near the
drydoek pumphouse. These are said to
be the largest that have Deen made in this
or any other country. The four rollers
aggregate 80 tons. The bedplate cast
lngs are in position and being set in con-
crete. The rollers are expected 10 be on
them before the end of next month.
Proposals will soon be out for material
| other improvements to be inaugurated
| before the year is out.
Owing to the lack of material for use on
the MOnadnock numbe of boiermakers
were laid off in the Steam Engineering
! Department. The material is REQUIRED for
the completion of the bulkheads in the
| berth deck. AS soon as a lot of delayed
| teakwOod arrives for use in filling in the
backing The ship-carpenters will have
| plenty of work to do.
| Tba first oF ba
| be let for dredging in front of the navy
! yard. Several bidders from San Francisco
| have within the past week or two been up
| TO the island to look over the ground and
ascertain exactly what is to be done. 1t
| is proposed 10 pump the debris into the
! tule south OF the sawmill for the purpose
| OF reclaimlng the same and in time TO
make foundation for building purposes.
Plans have been made and submitted to
| the department for building to be used as
a diSpensary and supply depot for medi-
| cines and drugs for issue to ships. Such a
building has long been needed, as a pres
/ ent the dispPnsary is taking up valuable
| space in the rigging loft.
| The court Of inquiry instituted for the
purpose OF investigating into the charges
! II. A. Bartlett, U. S. NJ c., commandant
of the Marine Barracks, and Captain H,
| G. COchrane, Z. s. NJ. c., each against the
| other, assembled in the courtroom the
! nrSt OIL last week, and has continued uD to
the present time, and will not be con-
cluded before the middle Of next week.
| The Alert is on her way from China and
expected to arrive within a short time.
! She will probably go out of commission AT
once. and if not repaired will be sent mn To
berth in Rotten Row.
! A new boiler is TO be put in at the Naval
Hospital in place of one worn out by con-
| slant use.
The orders detaching Lieutenant D. P.
Menefee as recorder of the Board of Labor
Employment and ordering him to the
Adams have been revoked, and he will
continue the same duty that he has so
acceptably filled since the Inauguration of
the employment system.
The boatbuilders are at work on a num-
Der OF old boats that are being refitted for
issue by the general storekeeper as re-
quired.
With the advent of the new commandant
their Offices in the office building have
been new painted and furnished in a
handsome manner. Suspended on the
walls are large and elegant photographs
| OF the ships of the new navy that attract
considerable attention from those who
chance to visit the respective offices. and
| give an idea of what the new navy is and
what the various ships under construction
are about to be.
| Proposals are out for the three new gun
boats to be built, and the homes here are
that the Pacific Coast will be fortunate in
| securing one or more to build. 1t helps
the yard by the final completion of them.