The morning call., 1893-10-02
The Inspectors Find the
Alert All Right.
FEW REPAIRS TO BE MADE.
The Boston Expected to Arrive at
Mare Island-Items of Personal
Interest.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL.

VALLEJO. Oct. 1.-THE United States
ship Alert arrived at the navy-yard the
first Of last week. Work was commenced
at once in taking out the powder and
other ammunition and slowing the same
In the magazines at the lower end OF the
island. After hauling in alongside the
wharf the work of dismantling and taking
out stores. preparatory to her going out
Of commission. began, and is being pushed
along as rapidly as possible. The board
of inspection made very thorough sur
vey and inspection of all her parts, and it
is said, found her in most excellent con-
dition, clean, tidy and shipshape. Another
board has been appointed to ascertain the
repairs nece ssary to fit the Alert out for
another voyage of three years duration.
Wbene yer ship comes from the China
station she is usually swarmed with per-
sons hunting ':curios." This is not the
case with the Alert, owing probably to
the fact that there are a couple of lynx
eyed Cusom-house officials continually en-
board to detect anything Of a cOntraband
character or that would come under the
head of dutiable articles. The officers and
crew are anxious for the ship to go out OF
commission. so that those who are entitled
may visit their Eastern homes.
The latest reports from the cruiser BOS-
ton are that she was to leave the Islands
about the 9th of September for Mare
Island. As soon as she arrives she Will 60
at once in dock for an examination OF her
hull. If not ptted too bad she will be re-
painted and otherwise repaired. She Will
arrive in another week.
The Philadelphia made good cruise
from Callao TO Honolulu. having steamed
distance Of 5000 miles in eighteen days
one hour and seventeen minutes, at an
average speed of twelve knots per hour.
The flagship attracted considerable atten-
tion as she steamed into the harbor. Ad-
miral Skerrett is justly proud over lis
new ship.
Commander B. H. -McCalla, u. S. N, is
on HE way here to assume charge of the
equipment department. of the .navy-yard
on the 4th inst, vice Commander Henry
Glass, u. 5. n, who is now captain Of the
yard. Commander MeCalla has not been
on duty on the Pacific Coast since being
here 10 the Tuscarora, sOme twenty-five
years ago, at which time he formed the
friendship of many at San Francisco, who
will be pleased 10 again renew old-time
acquaintance. The commander will be
accompanied by his family and take up
his residence on the island at once.
Payday occurred the past week. some
twenty-sX or twenty-eight thousand dollars
being disbursed among the employees for a
half months work. This is not so bad, and
when it is taken into consideration that
during the past seven years one OF the
agents In our city has taken something
like Sl6,000.000 across the river to be paid
out to officers. Elm pl0yes and enlisted men
on the ships and at the yard it gives AN.
idea Of the extent of the great naval work
shop within half mile of our city and the
amount of good the same has been tie
means of doing. The above sum does not
q r h6
money that is also brought here on ships
themselves and paid out to the mechanic,
the butcher, the baker, the merchant, and
in fact there is no class Of people in our
town that is not more or less benefited by
the ward.
The Bartlett Cochrane inyes tigation
closed Friday last. AS soon as the volum-
inous proceedings are made up the report
will be transmitted 10 the Navy Depart.
ment for final action.
The Charleston, now at Rio de Janeiro,
will remain there until the Newark arrives,
then II the war is over she will again start
ON her trip to the Pacific COasr, and come
to the yard for the purpose OF having alter
ations made in her steering gear.
The Monterey is still at the yard and
may be expected to leave, now that the in
vestigation, of which Captain Kempff was
the president, is over. A trial of. her
search lights was made one evening last
WCchs IHoy WcIe lOuuu u WOTk 10 per.
lection. Her sirand was sounded Saturday
morning, and il Gabrel's horn is anything
10 he compared with it in volume and ex-
tent of range there is nothing on the earth,
in it or under the waters but will be able
to hear the tones and respond.
The construction department has force
of men still engaged in setting up huge
pieces of machinery near the drydock.
The IRON plating shopis being constantly
fitted with small tools, thus enabling work
to be turned out in an expeditions manner.
Ths United States steamer Albatross
arrived at the YARD Saturday. afternoon
and will probably remain at the island all
winter. She looks well after her northern
trip.
The Bsrng Sea feet Will all be down by
the latter part Of. the month. and then.
times Will surely be what may be termed
lively, not only In our city but at the navy
yard.