The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-20
Progress of Work on the
Monterey.
A GOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The AIbatroSS and Monadnock-EX-
animation of Apprentices-Per-
sonal Topics.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL.

board of her. Lieutenant Nicholson met
with a mishap the day after his arrival
which resulted in sprained ankle that
will keep him from duty for short time.
Friday morning PaymasteT Thomson ar
rived as well; also his brother, who Is TO
act as his clerk.
The steam heaters have been kept going
night and day that she may become more
habitable for the officers and crew.
Ii is the expectation that the monitor in
a short time will steam down to San Fran
cisco and remain there a while fer the pur-
pose Of allowing the naval reserves n
become familiar with her workings. THIS
will be practice of much interest.
Considerable speculation has been In
dulged in by the employees at the yard as
TO the reason of her fighting top being so
much lower on the mast than on the IulS-
ers. The reason given Is that owing TO me
terrific heat expelled from the stack when
the ship is steamilg no man or men could
possibly live if they were in the top. 1t Is
also considered that as efficient service
could be rendered in time Of need.
The equipment department has had con-
siderable work to do on her ID the way OF
making awnings, windSails, hammOcks,
bags. etc. The ringers have about COM
pleted setting up the small amount OF lig-
ging that is used on board OF her,
Orders are already in the shops for the
canvas outfit for the Monadnock. though
for the present nothing Will be done toward
getting it out. as there will be plenty of
time before she will be ready to receive IT.
The large eight-t0n ventilatOr was placed
on board the latter part OF the week by
means of the crane, and the iron checks or
cradles for holding the ships boats are now
being riyeted on the top girders. which are
located over the superstructure.
Orders have been issued to the steam
engineering department TO build an engine
and boiler for tile MOnadnock's steam
cutter, and Foreman Campbell has already
commenced the construction OF the boiler,
which is to be of the Town" type. de-
scription of which has already a peared in
these columns.
Work is very slack in the boIler-shop at
present, the aforementioned boiler and a
large sheet-ron tank being the principal
work on hand. Soon they will be
called upon 10 retube one OF the
steam fire engines, the "Sloat, that
has done service at the yard for many
years. The yard is toleTabiy we'll equipped
in case Of fire. there being three steam en-
gines, chemical engine, and number OF
BabcOck fFe-extlnguishers located in differ
ent parts Of the yard. Each building Is sup
piled with hand-grenades and buckets filed
with water ready for use at ali times. A
weekly and sometimes daily, Inspection, is
with water, and woe to the person found
taking water therefrom. Hydrants are To-
lated near each building and officers quar-
tiers. The citizen residents, tile marines at
the barracks the crew from the receiving
ship, act as a permanent IRE brigade. In
case OF fire or quarters the crews are sent
from each ship in port. The wOrkmeD have
also their duty assigned them. Wednesday
or Thursday a fire was discovered IN the
hold of the Adams. caused by the ignltlng
of barrel Of tar For a short time 1t was
feared that considerable destruction would
he caused. but by the prompt action Of
those on board the fire was eXtingushed
before mnch damage was done.
The Albatross' shafts and propellers are in
place. The ship could have been floated
out of dock this past week IL occasion re-
qured, but, as the dock was not needed,
by the keeping of her in an opportunity was
afforded to let each coat of paint set well.
The hull has been very thoroughly scaled,
and printing coat of red lead and zinc ap-
plied, followed by several coats of nearly
pure zinc. This covering IS thought 10 be
cheaper and nearly, If not quite, as good in
northern and temperate waters as the many
patented auti-fouinG paints. A portable
engine and boring-bar has been put on
board for boring the crank-shaft brasses In
place. These brasses have been babbited
on the block babbit system and bored TO
nearly the required size in the shop. leaving
only enough metal to be taken out by the
portable bar 10 insure perfectly accurate
alignment OF the brasses-
The machine and pattern shops, together
with the foundry, have considerable work
ahead of them on the Mon adnock, which it
is understood Is to be pressed TO completion.
The military mast and top are ready for
setting up.
The Iroquois has been hauled In along
side the wharf to better enable a lot OF gear
now on board of her to be taken off prior to
her being turned over TO the Treasury De-
partment, to be sent up 10 the quarantine
station near Port Townsend for use as
quarantine ship
Foreman Vice has thoroughly repaired. In
the construction boatshOp, the HartfOrd's
barge, which is now to be ia ken up to the
steam enineering machlne-shOp TO have its
machinery and boiler put in. This barge
when completed will be a fine boat, as 1t
will be the endeav0r OF the mechanics to
make her worthy of the genial, kindhearted
and able officer, Admiral John Irwin, CON-
mandant of the yard, for whose special use
she is being fitted up
For the past three days the apprentices
in the steam engineering department. have
been undergoing their semi-annual exami-
nation by board Of examiners consisting
OF Chief Engineer John w. Moore, U. s. N,
N. Foreman Maehinist L. Il. Hus-
sey and Foreman Blacksmith Luke
Burk. The boys are examined in arlthme-
tic. mensuIatlon, grammar, history, ge0g-
raphy, current events and on their several
trades. Ten questions on each of the sub
jects above mentioned are prepared aud
they arc reqired to answer them in writing.
The object of the examinations is tn Oblige
the boys to keep up in their studies after
leaving school, that they may improve
their minds while acquiring skill for their
hands. Where the examinations are con-
posed to be in all of the departments, they
result in good to the apprentices.
An examination open to all boys between
the ages of 10 and II years who procure
proper references is to be conducted the
coming week, TO all a vacancy in the copper
shop, under Foreman c. Il. Rand, n master
in his particular trade, who himself served
an apprenticeship at the yard.
Work on the Patterson is continuing
steadily, permission having been given
the officers Of her to utilize anything in
making her repairs that could be found in
the scrap pile. The way this privilege is
taken advantage OF causes smile to play
over the countenanee OF many mechanic.
A five 12-tOn wharf crane was landed at
the island Thursday evening, 10 be set no
on the new piece of stone wall being con-
structed near the sectional docks. These
docks are advertised for sale. and are to be
sold under sealed bids March 10.
A number of new bathtubs are being put
in the marine barracks in the room formerly
used as prison. The tubs are for the use
of the men and will be highly appreciated
by them.
Foreman w. I. Sargent has quite force
OF men under him engaged In taxing up and
putting down a new railroad track, laid TO
the standard gauge and for use of the new
locomotive that is still at South Vallejo
awaiting the settlement of a little bill for
extra weight
Work has commenced in putting down the
new system of steam pipes for heating Of
fees and quarters.
According 10 reports the Committee or
Appropriations at Washington have set
apart the sum OF Sal, 648 for improvements
at the yard during the next fiscal year. The