The morning call., 1893-12-11
Preparations for Neces-
sary Repairs.
ACTIVITY AT MARE ISLAND.
The Boston Awaiting Orders-Good
Work on the Monadnock-SaIe
of Condemned Stores.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL.

VALLEJO. Dec. 1O-The old Hartford
has been hauled in alongside of the new
piece of wharf above the stone drydock,
which would seem to indicate that in the
near future work will be commenced in
getting ready for the extensive repairs
that are to be made to her. When fairly
started mechanics Of all classes will have
steady employment on Der for many,
many months to come. Hundreds of
thousands of dollars will be laid out, and
the result will be one of the finest wooden
ships In the American navy, and an object
lesson OF years gone by in the shape of
naval architecture, and one that will
awaken patriotic memories of the past
when she. bearing the immortal Farragut.
Won glorious victory and rem own that will
resound through all ages to come.
Saturday was payday at the yard. Over
S2S.000 was distributed by Paymaster
SkeldiD and Clerk Bollard In very few
minutes time. The payroll of officers
and employees has, for The past couple of
months, averaged something like $4,000
per month.
The Mohican is fast nearing completion.
The propeller was put in Friday and
Saturday she was to come out of the dry
dock. The macbinists and boilermakers
are about through with their part of the
repairs. When ready for sea the chances
are that the Mohican will be ordered to
Honolulu.
The Alert. now lying at the wharf, has
had gang OF men on her the past week
tearing out for the repairs that are to be
made II her.
The Boston, also at the wharf. is await
ing orders from the department to have
work commenced on ner by the various
ha aIrc in. ho hail
shop will be very extensive, involving the
expenditure of large amount OF money.
More than 5000 condenser tubes will uu-
dergo an overnauinP. Work that is to be
done on the rigging and canvas outfit has
already been ordered.
The Monadnock is still furnishing en-
ploymeDt to the usual force of men. with
the probabilities that next year will see
her completed and in commission. 1t is
safe 20 say that there will not be a better
finished moni or in the service than the
MOnadnock, for there Is 90 ing in the
work that Is being done on her. The ship
carpenters who are at work in getting the
wooden backing In readiness to receive
The huge armor plates are performing
their part TO as much of a nicely as the
finest piece of furniture that will be placed
in the captains cabin. The irOnworkers
and machinists are each also doing the
same class of work. There appears to be
plenty OF money for the work, and they
are expending 1t where it will be of the
most service.
A very pleasant hop was given in the
sail-loft Wednesday evening.
The old wooden sheds adjacent to the
yard stables are being torn down. and in
their stead a new and more improved
system of stables win be built.
Inc paymaster OF the yard has Just
issued schedule Of condemned stores be-
longing TO the navy to be sold by sealed
tu IL
uary 1O, 1894. The list comprises any,
thing from a sailmaker's needle to a Cat
ling gun. rigging, junk, torpedoes, carbines,
pots. Kettles, pans. binnacles, tools, salt
beef, clothing, and hundred different
articles. enough to make the veriest relic
hunter or dealer In all sorts of goods
happy and rich IL he only catches on to a
bargain.
The Independence band is furnishing
three times week an excellent quality of
music for the pleasure of those at the
Island. Under the leadership of Professor
Carlo, for the benefit of the Midwinter
Fair, at concert TO be given here on
Friday evening coming. the orchestra con-
nected with the band will play some fine
overtures. Some of the solo members of
the orchestra will also appear OH the pro-
gramme In solos and trios.
The Mohlcan was taken out of the dry
dock Saturday morning and hauled up
alongside the coal wharf, where the work
oil coaling ship will commence at once,
The Albatross will go in dock next week,
The board OF registration at Mare Island
are TO be c0mDllmented and congratulated
upon having the best system of keeping
record of employment by employees of any
ef the stations or navy-yards in the United
States. The plan in vogue at Mare Island
has been adopted by the Navy Department
and the various yards and stations author
lzed to use the system. Several large and
huely bound books to contain the records
arrived couple of days ago, into which
the name and record of every employe and
applicant for employment will be regis
tered.
Lieutenant j. A. Turner, accompanied
by his wife, left the island on Saturday
afternoon for San Francisco, there to take
up their abode for the future They carry
with them the best wishes of large circle
OF friends and hopes that the balmy atmos-
phere OF the bay city will help to recuper-
ate the lieutenants falling health, which
has caused his honorable retirement from