The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-01
REAR ADA'L BRONN,U.S.N.
The Highest Officer in the Navy
Now.
THE PROSPECTS OF THE YARD
The Admiral Gives the Chances for
New Work and Analyses the
Situation as Regard the
Portsmouth Yard. New
Battle Ships.
THE PROSPECTS OF THE YARD

The V1RaIN1AN Representative
called at the navy-yard yesterday
and extended his congratulations to
Rear Admiral George Brown, who
at noon became the highest officer
In the United States Navy.
The promotion of Admiral Brown
is just compliment aud tue people
OF this city extend to him their con.
gratulations. Admiral Browns pro.
motion from Captain to Rear ADJ
miral has been very rapid aud none
deserved it more than he. He has
always shown the klndlie feeling
for the people in this community
and has endeavored to procure
work for them whenever it could be
had. The promotion does not
briag with it any increase of pay,
but only the honor of having
reached the highest point in the
American Nays point which
many have strivsn to reach, but
have failed,
The conversation naturally drifted
from one subject to another and
feeling an interest in the future
prospects of the yard, the question
was put as to Its outlook. At this
the admirars eyes sparkled and he
began by saying that the future did
not look as bright ss he would like
to see it. "for." said he, "the Alliance
is ready to leave the yard any day,
and may do 80 at any time.
"The Marblebead will leave here
on Saturday and go to Newport
to get her torpedoes, and from
thence she will proceed direct to
Europe.
'Fhe Vesuvius is laying here await.
ing for the Ice to disappear from
Delaware river, when she will pro
coed from here to that point and
blow up some wrecks.
"Ihe Amphritite will be ready to
go in commission some time in
March, or the LIST of April. She
would have been IN commission
some time ago, but there was no
complement oftmen to put ON her
but when the bill passes the Senate
Increasing the navy, 1000 men will
be available.
"Ihere are plenty good men who
desire to enlist in the service, but
1t was impossible to get them be.
cause the number allowed by law
was already enlisted. 1t will take a
few weeks to get her stores on board
and this will probably bring it about
April before she leaves With her
departure the yard Will be for the
flrst time IN number of years with.
out ship that Is in commission.
"Ihe principal and only work Of
any consequence for construction
will be on the Texas, and she can be
completed IN short while, If We
can get the material but this
yard has been hampered about
material for some time on account
of the outside men like Oramp and
others, who have the preference
simply because the contractors know
that when they make bid for work
for Government yards that they will
only get one half of their money
when one-half the material is fur.
nished. with 20 per cent. of that held
back; then they will not get the
balance until the work is completed,
while private yards pay every thirty
or sixty days. This is why they
Lhfo tuS pEeiSTeuCC.
Our next question was, "Admiral.
1t is said that the Standish will he
rebuilt here and that this will give
considerable work."
"Well, it is true that we ara max.
ing preparations to put new boilers
and engines in the Standish. winch
will be built here. This will cause
the upper woodenSwork all to come
Oft, and when 1t is put back it will by
of more modern style, and that
will make work. She will virtually
be new boat. | cannot tell Just
exactly when they will les her leave
the Academy at Annapolis, but hope
very shortly. However, we are
making preparations to 20 ahead
with the work as coon as she comes.
"Well. Admiral, please let me
know something about the torpedo
boat we expect to get at this yard.
How long will it be before she can
be commenced?"
"Well, you know work of this
kind cannot be commenced in dsy.
1t takes time to get ready for such
WORK. PIans have to be submitted,
material advertised for for sixty
days. mouids have to be made and
the material has to be received be-
lore work can be commenced. and
those fellows who get the contracts
40 not move very fast. | think
that 1t VIII be fully August or Sep.
temoer before We get to work on
her." = 'N
well, sir, here's ono more oues.
ton. Is there any chance OF our
getting one OF the three battle ships
that are to be built?"
That" said he, "all depends
upon circumstances. There are not