The sun., 1894-10-15
CowwoDoRE MArrHEWs,s REPORT.
UrEe.t Necessity Tor improvements In the
Navy Yards.

Navy Yards.
wAsHiSuToN, Oct. 14.--The first Of tho annual
reports Of the Naval Bureau chiefs, that Of Com.
modore Matthews Of Yards and Docks, just
made public, indicates how sharply the line Of
strict economy in naval administration has
been drawn by Secretary Herbert for the ensu-
ing year. This bureau is charged with the care
OF all the yards, buildings, docks, and shore
property of the navy. and Is responsible for
their maintenance in repair and their improve
ment when Antiquatcl The estimates received
from the commandants OF the various shore
stations calls for over S1,50O.0O0 for the next
fiscal year, but Commodore Matthews has been
able TO reduce the amount to less than S2,00O.-
900, barely exceeding what Admiral Gherarti
sought for the New York Navy Yard alone.
Nevertheless this very low estimate is 81 100000
greater than the appropriation Of the last ses-
sion OF Congress. This increase Ia due TO the
absolute necessity urged by competent naval
officers for improvements that will enable the
Government TO make practical use of the navy
yards without such expenditures valuable
property will deteriorate to wOrthlessness. much
OF IL already having become obsolete.
For instance. new pumps are much needed for
the granite dock at New York. The older ones
which have been In constant use since the dock
was built forty five years ago. are worn out and
the boiler that furnishes them steam Is safe for
only 30 or 40 pounds pressure. The old wooden
shlpwright shed near this dock Is tumbling
down and il a constant menace to the safety of
the yard in case OF fire. 4 suitable iron struc-
ture 10 recommended In its place. The Walls-
bout channel Ia constantly filling up, and an
appropriation is asked for dredging. small
amount "A also asked for continuing quay walls
around Whitney basin and the Cob Dock.
which ere needed to prevent injury To those
Al League Island, Philadelphia. though no
appropriation il asked for the purpose, the
urgent necessity Of new dry dock large ep2uSn
Yard. being on fresh water, is extremely VAIN
able as n rendezvous for the huge armored YES
sells intended for coast defence but there is no
useful only for cruisers until this ,defect Is
remesiied. Considerable work extending quay
walls and dredging is required aud an artesian
At Washington q ireproof roof on the gun
foundry instead OF the old wooden trusses and
large castings are made spark. frequently lodge
in and set fre TO the woodwork. thereby endsn-
gering this valuable plant.
At Norfolk the old wooden wharyesare rapid
~ being destroyed by teredo. warves built
less than ten years ago with creosoted Dlles are
unsafe to-day. The extension Of water front
portant. The stone dock Is badly in need Of re-
pairs. This is considered the third yard In i'm
portance in the country, New York and san
have a new dock OF Sufficient capacity
for armored cruisers and battle ships:
new stone shed and repair shop built
the line Of economy as much time Is now lost by
workmen on ships in the dock. owing To Its
great distance-nearly 1000 feet-from the
A new wooden dry dock is asked for Mare
Island, Cal, to repair the ships of the Asiatic
additional did ia also asked for the naval
home AT Philadeiphia established for the benefit
Of continuous service men OF the navy.