The morning call., 1894-07-30
THE NAVY YARD.
Return of the Marines
Who Did Shore Duty.
The Several Vessels at Mare Island
Being Placed in the Best
Possible Condition.

VALLEJO, July 2S.-The United States sail
OrS from the independence, Monterey, Charles
ton and Thetis have all returned 10 the navy
yard from duty at the city of Oakland. They
all feel grateful that they were not called upon
TO shed blood during their temporary shore
duly. In the language of captain OF one OF
the warships at the yard during the time Of ac.
tion Jack is entirely different from any other
class of soldiers in either branch of the service
He Is always ready for an action, and when
once ordered In an engagement he seems 10
lose all thoughts of his own personal safety,
and it Is a hard matter for him to desist fight
ing or TO obey a command to cease. They
seem TO be inspired with one thought only. and
that is they must be victorious in anything they
undertake. The lads looked we'll on their re-
turn, and on arrival aboard OF their respective
ships they were greeted with cheers by those
hat were left behind to look out for the cruiser,
monitor, survey or receiving ship. IL is ex-
pected that the marine battalion now on duty
in the vicinity of Sacramento Will soon be or
dered to return 10 the navy-yard and to duty on
the vessels to which they belong. 1t Is becom-
ing necessary for their RETURN as soon the men
Will be required for service.
The cruiser Charleston Is about ready 10 GO
abroad. The work OF replacing several hum
dred bolts In her keel plate has been completed,
and the hull is also painted. She will come out
Of drydock in few days and be landed up
alongside The coal wharf. II seems TO become
more and more evident that the suggrs-
tion of Chief Constructor HiIchbone, to have
the hulls sheathed with wood and then cop
pered, should be acted upon. If this plan is
carried out there will not then be the necessity
OF ship going so often on the dock 10 be
Scraped ana painted, as it is now alter short
cruise.
1t has been a long time since the cruiser
Philadelphia has been at a navy-yard, and just
as soon as she comes up from the islands she
VIII receive quite extensive repairs. lt Is
thought that by lbe Mail steamer OF few
orders
sent TO have her leave Honolulu and come
directly home. On the 18th OF August change
OF commanders Will be made. Captain charles
). Cation, u. 5. N, OF the fece lVlnS snip lnde-
pendence will assume command, and Captain
:. j. Read, U. S. N, will take command OF the
Independence.
A large number of men are working on the
cruiser Boston TO complete her with the least
possible delay. New decks are being laid on
the suDerstructure, beri b and gun decks: The
Philadelphia was built about the same tme as
the Boston, and II Is surmls6d by some tnt Sno
will also have some OF her decks replaced.
The engine and boilers OF the Boston are re-
ceiying a complete overhauling and new elec-
trio plant is being installed. Captain Francis
j. Higginson, who recently reported as captain
OF the yard, is reported as being booked Tor tne
Boston when she is ready for sea.
The monitor Monterey IS lying up alongside
OF me coalWharf, taking on COAL NO ORDERS
| have yet been issued for her going away. Ii
was thought she would AXE out the Daval re-
serves from San Francisco for practice, but 1t
| udS Dceu ucClucu DIT lDe Navy
| The Ice will not take place before Septem-
ber This will give he reserves who have been
performing rain and other duty rest Tor
awhile after they ale relieved from present ac-
tive duty.
The gunboat Bennington, now on her way up
the coast from La Libertad. will be here some
time during next month. She Is ordered 10
come directly 10 the navy-yard A lot OF stores
mat were sent TO San Francisco leW Gays ago
for shipment TO her at that port have been Or
dered TO be returned 10 Mare Island to await
her arrival She is in need OF some few repairs.
The Thetis is ready for duty, and is now IN
better condition than she has been In some
years, and If nothing unlocked for happens Is
good for many years o come. The Marion has
force OF men on her machinery ana wood
work. New awnings are being made IN the
sailIoit for the Monterey. Their is larger
force OF men employed in The yard at the pres
ent time than for many months past. The force
Will be Kept quite busy when the Berlog sea
heet comes down from The north the latter part
OF next month-that is according 10 present
calculations.
The Petrol and Concord having been ordered
to China direct will meanmuch less work than
anticipated.
II IL has beendetermined at the Navy Depart
ment, IL mas not yet reached mere Wnen the
she will go TO the Islands, but with the un-
settled condition on the China coast she may
yet be sent 10 the Asiatic station.
The ofbciais at the yard are aDxiously await
ing the appropriations for the hscal year, SO
they may know exactly the new work TO be
commenced. The brick building now Delng
erected over the Corliss engine. the motive
power Tor running the machinery In the IRON
platlng sDop. Will be good substantlal aHalr.
The galvanized iron shed over the keeIplate
and pending slab furnaces is about complete.
Inc skylght windows are yet to be put H.: A
neaVy noorlng Will be laid and this then Will De
enc Oh ne pest working sheds in the yard, ana
Il VIII be comfort for the workmen engaged
therein.