The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-26
NAVY YARD NOTES.
Putting the Roads in the
Best Condition.
Work on the Monadnock-Monterey
Boys Rescue CapSIZed Boat
Party-Change in Hours.

VALLEJO. Feb. 25.-Although it stormed
most fearfully the first part OF last week.
vet it made no impression on the roaos
which recently have been extended from
the mi ain portion of the navy yard on past
tho hospital reservation and down almost
IN the cemetery grounds. In building the
road thu ground was fret pl0weo anu
thrown M toward the center. then sur
facing of sand and gravel procured from
the beach at the rear end OF the lsiano
laid on over a foot thick caused the ROAD,
after being we'll packed and rolled, TO De
perfectly impervious to rain or selIllng III
the mud. The roadway in the rear OF the
officers' quarters Is being repaired so tnat
il will be in a somewhat passaDle con-
dition.
In time to come it is expected that the
roads bout the stone drydock will be mac
ademized. This will not be done until
the track is built for holding the immense
let locomotive jib crane, now unoer
course of construction IN one OF tne EAST
ern shops. The material alone for build
ing the foundation and track extending
around the dock will cost some sixteen or
eiphteeD thousand dollars. acquisitions
for this material have already been made,
and inst as soon as the material arrives
work will be commenced, as the authorl-
ties at Washington are very anxious to
have the track completed by the time the
crane arrives, which will be in a few
months.
The stern and bowplates are already in
position on the Monadnock, and so evenly
are they put on that after being painted it
will be difficult TO point out where they
are Joined. Her side armOr is now all at
the yard; the wooden backing about the
lower portion of the turrsts is ready to
receive the plates as soon as they arrive
from the East. Rapid progress is being
made on all the work in hand, especially
on the propeller shafts. which are in posi-
ton, now that hes machinery is about
completed.
After repairs have been made TO the
Boston and Alert the outlook at the shops
in the upper end of the yard is not at all
flattering. Unless some unlOoked-for work
turns up quite reduction in the working
force will have to be made. The CON-
pleting of the Monadnock has been
great boon TO the yard. 1t will give
TO the world a knowledge that ironcladS |
equal, If not superior, 10 any ever built at |
private shipyard can be and have been |
turned out from the Mare Island Navy
yard.
The board of officers who have the duty
of setting the rate of wages at the navy
yard for the months of May, June and
July will convene some time during the
coming month for the purpose of regulat-
ing the rates of pay.
The anniversary of Washington's BIRTH
day was celebrated as holiday. No work
was performed in the shops, the ships
were decorated with flags, at high noon
national salute was fired from the Monte
rey and yard battery. In the afternoon.
under auspices of the officers OF the United
States ship MohicaD, gala time WAS had.
The ship was hauled in alongside the
wharf abreast of the storehouses. AVN
ir,n ha tat |
board; every available spot was occupied
by visitorstto witness the sports arranged; |
boat-racing between crews from the Mo-
hican, Monterey and Independence, mast
head racing, potato racing, three-legged
and sack racing. chasing and Catching the
creased pig and climbing the creased pole
made up some of the outside sports, while
on board an entertainment was given by
the talent among the ships company. In
all they had most delightful time, and it
was q beautiful day, one of the most
charming ever experienced on the coast.
The only accident Of the day happened 80
little boy falling down the hatchway Of
the Alert, breaking some OF the bones of
one of his legs.
Last Sunday some of the crew of the
Monterey gained additional glory by saw
ing the lives of two men, two women and
a child. The five were rowing on the bay
when suddenly their boat capsized and all
went overheard. Two of the officers and
several of the crew plunged Into the
choppy water and went to the rescue OF
the quintet, and succeeded in holding them
above the surface until boats that put OF
came to their assistance.
The Marion is expected at almost any
time. She will be fitted out for duty north.
The dismissal from the service of Passed
Assistant Surgeon Richard Ashbridge was
not unexpected.
About the, first Of the coming month the
70 hair
hours of labor, from A. NJ. to 4 30 p NJ,
with an hour for dinner.
The clerks have recently been brought
up with round turn aud by an order
issued from headquarters been informed
that they must strictly adhere to office
honrs. from A. NJ till O'Clock P. NJ,
with half an hour at noon for lunch.
The same haste still continues undated
on the Alert and Boston. They will If
possible be in readiness by The dates here