The morning call., 1894-05-14
TWO MORE DRyDOCKS NEEDED.
The Old independence Soon to Go and
Better Facilities for Training
to Be Supplied.


aid, who spent the greater portion OF the
day in taking notes from the Secretary'S
dictation and accumulating data.
Promptly at 10 "A. N. Secretary Herbert
announced his readiness TO inspect the ISL
and and Immediately started on his tour
of inspection, visiting the water front and
minutey surveying the huge drydock
which has been prepared to receive the
monitor Monterey.
After carefully inquiring into the mode
of ocking warships, prevailing currents oil
Napa Creek and depth OF the channel. the
Secretary and party repaired to The COM
mandant's carriage, which was waiting,
and was driven to the Mare Island Naval
Hospital. which was next Inspected under
the supervision of Medca! Director
Woods.
After the inspection OF the hospital the
party were driven To the naval magazine,
which Is located at the extreme southern
end of Mare Island. Here the Secretary
spent much time in viewing the scene Of
the recent explosion in which thirteen of
the cruiser Boston lost their lives, and the
real cause of which is one of the mysteries
which yet remains to be told.
SECRETARY
from The gunner in charge regarding the
manner in which ammunition and powder
is handled, as well as TO the facilities at
hand for the proper storage of high ex-
ploslves and preparation for muDition of
war.
OF one thing Secretary Herbert became
convinced, and that was the lack OF proper
facilities for handling ammunition and its
storage for a naval station with such large
demands as that of Mare Island. The
Secretary also visited the little naval
cemetery situated above The magazine of
the hillside, and with head uncovered
viewed the somber scene. and approaching
the lot which contains the graves OF the
thirteen sailors from the cruiser Boston
tenderly placed bouquet OF flowers atthe
base of the monument which records that
frightful catastrope of June, 1892.
Returning to the navy-yard proper. the
Secretary was driven about the buildings,
and paused at the steam derrick to person.
ally l. spect four of the turret-armor plates
recently received at the navy-yard for the
monitor Monadnock.
AS the Secretary scanned the huge mass
of metal his eyes paused for moment on
Steel Works at Pittsburg, and said:
"These plates do not present any ostensl-
Bile sign of fraud on the part of the con-
tractors" and turning to his secretary said:
"All this talk of defective plates put on
the Monterey is bad predicament for our
navy to be placed in the eyes of tie world.
and ! earnestly hope that the anxiety OF
the American people may be speedily
assuaged one way or the other"
Proceeding along the water front the
Secretary viewed the location of the pro-
posed additional drydock and announced
his intention of recommending the con-
struction of the same at as early a day
as money for that purpose could be made
available. That two docks were an abso-
lutte necessity the Secretary announced
without being questioned, and said that he
would exert his endeavors to that end.
The party was next driven to the re-
ceivlng-ship Independence, from the main
mast of which flows the faghead quarters
OF the United States navy.
Here the party was received officially by
Captain Cotton. with marine guards and
the crew, at general quarters.
Without any delay the Secretary made
hasty inspection of the receiving-ship,
which elected much attention from the
distinguished visitor. who was treated TO
drink of water from one of the ships
tanks, which was placed on board when
the Independence sailed from New York
over forty years ago. Secretary Herbert
here made inquiries into the facilities uf
recruiting for the navy as well as the ac-
commodations for the reception and train
ing of apprentices.
Before leaving the shop the Secretary
was convinced of the necessity of train
ing ship for the Pacific Coast, and in
structed his aid. Lieutenant Reamy, TO
ascertain what vessel. il any, now here,
was available for the assignment as
training and recruiting ship.
From the Secretary's talk it is apparent
that the days Of the old independence are
numbered. and that some other vessel will
be selected at an early date to receive re-
cruits for the Pacific station.
The visit to the receiving ship Indepen-
dence concluded the tour of inspection
for the day, and the party were driven to
the quarters of the Commandant for lun-
cheon.
This evening, Medical Director Woods
will entertain Secretary Herbert and
party at luncheon, and tomorrow Pay
master Henry L. Shedding will do like
wise, while on Monday evening the ladies
of the navy-yard will entertain the ladies
Of the party at a hop in the sail-loft
while the Secretary. Commandant and
heads of the departments attend a banquet
at Vallejo in the Secretary's honor.
1t was learned tonight that, although
making an official tour. his presence here
has other significance. For some time past
Secretary Il er bert has been a very sick
man, and two Gays prior to his departure
from Washington his condition was such
that it was thought that his tour to the
Pacific Coast must be abandoned. During
his tour the Secretary will not be able to
accept all the courtesies extended him for
fear that an over-taxa tion would cause a
relapse.
Tomorrow he will personally inspect
the docking of the monitor Monterey, and
inspect the various workshops. On Tues
day morning the Secretary returns to San
Francisco. proceeding directly to the
Union Iron Works to inspect the Olympia