The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-03
MONADNOCK ALMOST READY
Completion of the Report on the
Olympia's Trial.
SELECTION OF HER OFFICERS
The Speedy Cruiser May Become the
Permanent Flagship of the
Pacific Squadron.

VALLEJO, Jan. 1.-THE United States
ship Albatross cleared from the navy-yard
at Mare Island this morning, her destina-
ton being San Diego, where. under the
directions Of Secretary Herbert, she will
rem ain until the sealing season reOpeDs,
when she will again be assigned to the
Navy Department for patrol service in
Boring Sea.
Nothing preventing, the Pacific Coast
will. within the next six months, have an
other protector in the shape OF the monitor
Monadnock. While it is generally under
stood that the MonadnOck is far from COM
pletion such is DO; the actual case, as must
be acknowledged from the fact that Secre-
tary Herbert has already ordered that the
MoDadnock's stores and equipment be
made ready for putting the monitor into
commission. Last week the Monadnock
was put in the navy-yaTd drydock, where
she is being thoroughly scraped and
painted. While In the drydock her armOT
plate is being secured in place and the
turIet-frames made ready for the arnor,
which is now in transit from Bethlehem,
Pa. The MOnadnock's battery is ready
for shipment and 7Vill be sent across the
continent by special train as soon as spring
is over. The monitors secondary or fight
ing battery is now en- route from Chicago.
having been dismantled from the United
States frigate Illinois, which formed
a part of the Worlds Fair exhibit. The
monitors machinery, including the en-
glnes. is ready for placing in position,
which will be done as soon as the armor Is
put Ia place. Should all the material
requisite be delivered promptly, Naval
Constructor Taylor will have the MOnad-
mock ready for inspection before June 80.
Before going On her trial trip the Monad-
mock will be complete in her armament,
equipment and all details. similar TO a
regular commissioned vessel.
The members Of the board of naval en-
gineers aud inspectors which conducted
the recent trial trip of the cruiser Olympia
returned to Mare Island Friday night from
San Francisco. where the board has been
in executive session for several days past
preparing its final report of the results Of
the trial trip, which will be forwarded 10
the Secretary of the Navy in the course of
the next few days. The work most specific
before the board at its session was COM
putation of the time and speed as made by
the Olymp ia during her entire trip from
four hours run over the measured course
as required by the contract. There is
much talk at the Mare Island Maynard
as to just what speed was developed. Yet
withal IL is said that the officiaI figures of
the board will be a fraction over q knots
for the minimum aud Is for the maximum
speed.
1t is definitely settled thai the Olympia
will shortly fly her commission pennant
as orders have been received by General
StOrekeeper Bacon at the navv-yard TO
prepare the Olympia's stores and supplies
so as to have them put on board of the
cruiser without delay on her arrival al
Mare Island. Her complement of 400 men
and petty officers is available and at
present consolidated with the crew of the
receiving-ship Independence. The officers
required for the cruiser have not as yet
been officially designated. Nevertheless it is
understood that the list will be made up
from officers now on the Pacific Coast,
including some who are now on duty at
the Mare Island Maynard. 1t is rumored
that Captain Charles Cotton, the present
commander of the receiving-ship hide
pendence, and who was president of the
naval board of engineers and inspectors
that conducted the trial trip, will be de-
tailed as her commander, and that as soon
as fitted out she will be sent to Honolulu
to relieve the flagship Philadelphia, be-
coming the permanent flagship Of the
Pacific squadron.
Secretary Herbert has said as much, and
her stores will be determined upon this
basis. Already large amount of stores
have been made ready and placed con-
veniently for putting on board as soon as
the Olympia reaches the navy-yard. The
Olympia's secondary battery has arrived
and will be put in place as soon as posi-
bic. as the Navy Department Is doubly
anxious to have the cruiser in commission
as soon as possible.