The morning call., 1894-03-26
OUR MAYNARD,
Certain Changes Astonish
the Officials.
The Yorktown Out of the Dock-To
Take 1t Easy on the War
ship Monadnock.

VALLEJO, MARCH 20 Inc surprise or
the past week among officers al the navy
yard was tie sudden change of plans at
the Navy Department in the matter of
making the assignment of the commander
n-chief of the Pacific squadron. Commo-
dore Kirkland had reached San Francisco
on his way 10 Honolulu, when he was re-
called and he departed eastward the same
/ afternoon. Rear-Admiral John G. Walker,
who has been detailed to command the
Pacific squadron, is one of the best-known
officers Of the army. For years he was in
charge of the Bureau of Navigation and
Office of Detail at Washington. where
every change in assignment of Office was
made. The officers here are pleased at the
selection.
Rear-Admral John Irwin, U. S. N, will
return by the steamer following the az
| rival of Admiral Walker at Honolulu.
Mrs. Irwin and daughter. Miss Lulu. are
already here. and at the island as tn e guests
Of Mrs. Lieutenant George NJ. Stoney.
The Alert will be ready TO go into COM
mission the first Of next month. Her de-
tail of officers so far consists of Commander
w. A. Morgan. commanding officer ;ieuten-
ants-J. +. C. Coffin executive oficer).
Charles H. Pond (navigator). A. C. Baker
| and W. E. Stafford watch officers; ensign.
II. Il. Caldwell; surgeon, L. w. Spratt-
ling; p. A. engineer. w. d. Bayley P. A.
paymaster, j. s. Phillips. The crew and
guard of marines has been drafted to her.
She will have dock trial of her machin-
cry and then short sea trial before being
finally ordered to sea.
While the Monadnock shows an ad-
vanced state toward completion it is now
co. kIN I, H. e..
mission as early as anticipated few
weeks ago. Not that she could not be
made ready, but tho unwelcOme news has
been received to take things easy and let
up on the large force OF mechanics em-
pIoyed on her, as the money is getting
very short.
The Yorktown came out of the drydock
Wednesday afternoon and was tOwed
abreast of the coal wharf. where her bunk
ers will be replenished with coal. She
was given several coats OF antl-foulng
paint before coming out of the dock.
While at the wharf her boilers, where re-
quired. will be retubed.
The Boston does not look much like the
clean, trim-loOking cruiser she was when
she came TO the yard not long ago. She Is
lying up alongside the wharf abreast of
the foundry in a dismantled condition. her
paintwork looking rusty and old. After
the workmen get through with her boilers
and machinery, the rigging set UP and
her crew. aboard, she will present far
different and more creditable appearance
| than she does to-day.
The Patterson is ready for her trip to
| the north. Two or three of her boats are
| lying on the wharf undergoing slight re-
| pairs and being painted. The work Is
| being done by crew from the ship.
An examination for the position Of mas
| ter sblpwrlght has been going on since
| Thursday. But three applicants presented
| themselves for examination.
Much regret Is expressed because Lieu
| tenant c. +. Pond aud his estimable fam
| lily are TO leave the island. Lieutenant
| Pond has been ia charge OF the observa-
| tory located on the top of Irving Park
| hill for several years past, and has always
| proved himself a careful attentive and
| painstaking officer. His mantle will prob
| ably fall on the shoulders of Lieutenant
| w. E. Sewell, new on the China coast, and
who was formerly in charge of the depart
ment of navigation and observatory at
Mare Island.
There is but very little faith put in the
statement received a few days ago that the
Secretary of the Navy will have training
ship fitted out at this yard; especially that
| it would be the Hartford. Much as our
people would like it, it will not be done at
present, though the Board of Trade
located in Vallejo is using every effort to
have work commenced upon her. A pic
ture of her, as now lying in her dismaniled
and canvas hOused-Over condition, and an
other picture showing the Hartford as a
full-rigged man-of-war in all her pride and
glory. have been prepared. and these, in
connect on with the story of her achieve
ments. will soon be forwarded to each
Senator and Congressman with a power
full plea to have her repaired and put in
commission.
The torpedo-guns and ordnance outfit
for the Olympia have arrived and are
stored up in the building abreast of the
gun park. In one of the sheds is a long
row OF guns of all sizes be longing to one
Of the cruisers; also lot of steel shot,
with the steel point almost as sharp as a
needle.
Lieutenant George M. Stony will be-
placed in charge of the ordnance depart
ment until the arrival of the successor of
Lieutenant Coffin. who has been acting as
ordnance officer.
The Monterey has been hauled out in
the stream and is awaiting orders for sea
service.
Civil Engineer Frank o. Maxson has
been on the sick list for the past week suf-
fering from the effects of an injury re-
ceived 10 one of his eyes.
John Irwin Jr.. son of the admiral, is
paymaster's clerk on the Philadelphia and
is making himself a very popular young
officer.