The morning call., 1893-07-17
Prospective Improvement
at Mare Island.
IMPORTANT WORK PROJECTED
Move mentS of War Vessels In the
Pacific-Personal Notes of
Live Interest.
Correspondence OF THE MORNING CALL

VALLEJO, July 15.-The various depart
ments at the navy-yard are busily engaged
in getting up PLANS and estimates for work
proposed to be done during the coming
year. From appearance it would seem tha
considera BILE will be done in way Of I'M
provements at the navy-yard. A number
of projected plans will be submitted to the
department for approval and recommends.
tion made tina they be adopted by the mex,
regular session of Congress, tending to in.
creasing the efficiency of the already
efficient plant.
Not the least will be the request fol
another drydock, to be located near the
site of the present magnificent structure
which may well be said to be one Of the
very best in the country. During its con-
struction, though extending through d
period of long years, no such mishap evel
occurred as has recently taken place at the
new naval dryd0ck under course IF con.
struction at Port Royal. 1t is reported
that the cofferdam at the entrance broke
away. thus swamping the dock. 1t will be
necessary for the contractor to drive new
sheet piling to stop the leak and then
pump out the dock before operations can
be resumed on the floating gate.
While the greater portion of the Mare
Island dock was under construction 1t was
universally said that Civil Engineer VOL
cott and Foreman Sargent lived in the
same to watch that the cofferdam did net
leak or break away. Should money be ap-
propriated for new dock the same degree
of watchtul care would be exercised and
the same degree of skill displayed In its
construction as heretofore shown.
The many friends. and they can be
counted on every hand, are rejoicing over
the appointment Of Naval Constructor
Philip Hitchborn, u. S. N, as chief of the
Bureau of Construction and Repair. Mare
Island has always found in the new chief
a warm advocate and it is safe to predict
that everything will be done in his power
slstently be performed here.
With the announcement that Captain h.
l.. H0wison, U. S. n, is to be the coming
commandant of the yard feeling of
genuine pleasure exists, as during his stay
here as captain Of the yard the employees
were not slow In finding out that he was
fair and just to all.
few days ago Chaplain J. K Lewis
received orders detaching him from the
yard and ordering him home on sick leave.
He will leave for his home in Dayton,
Ohio. in week or ten days. first making a
visit to friends in San Jose and al the bay
city. The chaplain will leave many warm
friends on this coast. His place will be
filled by Chaplain A. A. McAlNster, who
is at present attached to the receiving ship
and for many years resident Of this city,
80 that he is no stranger in our midst or at
the navy-yard. Probably before another
year closes he will be able to hold services
in new church editics erected on the
island.
Lieutenant II. R. Tyler. U. S. n, has
Just been assigned to the Independence.
He reported for duty Thursday. This ls
an event that is satisfactory to all.
The Secretary of tie Navy may well be
congratulated on the details he has so far
made for this yard, and with the looked
for appointing of Commander Henry Glass.
u. S. n, as captain Of the yard he will be
still more warmIy Iy commended.
The friends of Graham Coghlan. son of
Commodore Joseph Coghlan. were sur
prised and interested in learning Of his
marriage at Camden, n. D., on the 4th of
July last.
Carpenter Warren Barnard, U. S. n,
stationed here for many years. died at the
Marine Hospital Wednesday last after a
short illness. The large number of per-
sons that attended the funeral from the
hospital to the naval cemetery was q tes-
timoniai sufficient in itself to show the
esteem in which he was held by his friends.
There is some talk of altering the turrets
of the Comanche to make them suitable
for being fitted with new eight-inch guns.
The regular force of men is still en-
ployed on the Monadnock.
The launch Lively has been turned over
to the construction painters, who will soon
have her in newly painted condition.
A draft of seventeen men left the raceiv-
ing-shiD Friday for the Plnta at Sitka.
A naval rendezvous will soon be opened
at San Francisco.
The burning of large accumulation of
old junk and stubble called out the fire
department twice Thursday. The men
and engines worked hard and we'll, and
after some time were enabled to Quench
the flames.
A circular order announces that the naval
laboratory at New York shall hereafter be
known as the United States Naval Labo-
ratory and Department of Iustructiou.
Assistant surgeons shall Immediately after
admission to the navy be ordered to the
department for such study and instruction,
under prescribed rules and regulations as
may be necessary 10 famlliarize them with
the duties Of med cal officers afloat and on
shore.
Pay inspector j. H. Stevenson, who has
been examined three times for promotion
aud failed to secure the nomin alton, will
probably be ordered before retiring
board. If the paymaster is retired, as is
now looked for, this will remove the
blockade to promotion in the pay corps of
the navy.
Captain F. j. Higginson, who was for
merly on the Atlanta. asked to be restored
to duty, and on being refused now requests
tnat the charges which operated to bring
about his detachment be formulated and a
court-marlial. ordered for his trial.
The Philadelphia, now en- route to tho
Pacific. may have her orders changed
from going to Samoa to look after Ameri-
can interests, provided revolution occurs
in Chile or Peru before she reaches Val
paraisO. It may be deemed advisable to
send her to Calla0, and the Alliance, now
at the latter port. to Samoa.
1t will be some months before either one
of the cruisers ordered to the coast will
reach Mare Island.
Proposals have just been received for a
large lot of naval supplies. Bids are to be
opened the 9th inst.
The fore part of the week 1t is expected
that news will be received as to who the
successful applicants are that will be ap-
pointed to fill the vacancies recently COM
peted for in the, Construction and Repair
Dep artMent.
The Thets is still at the yard awaiting
orders. which will probably be to continue
survey duty. A draft Of twelve Seamep
we're transferred to her last week from the
Independence. They were q fine body of
men.
-----------------
He Satfled Him