New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-24
NAVY YARD AFFAIRS.
WORK RESUMED AFTER IDLENEss
CAUSED BY SNOW AND ICE.

-
There was resumption of the usual racket
49, ha,or,.r and slam at the Navy Yard last
week which was gratifying alike to those who
or, interested in the building of new ships from
,,o,r,o,ic nolnt of view as well as to those who
,,,orssted IN them from a financial or official
,oir, Snow and ice were cleared away from the
aocks Of the battleshlp Maine. which is now
,,od nm at the quay wall alongside the big steam
derrick: the decks of the double turreted mont
for Terror and those Of her companion, the Puri-
fan were also cleared, and workmen resumed
their tasks One OF the big plates for the side
armor Of the Puritan was put in place and the
other plate which is to fill the gap on the mon-
tors port side amidships is expected to be fitted
in a short time.
The triple-screw cruiser Columbia. Familiarity
known as "the Pirate" did not go into drydoek
last week. as was announced by some afternoon
papers, but will enter the timber dock at the
morning tide tomorrow, about o'clock. She
will remain there probably four days. and after
being fioated again will take on board about LOU
tons OF coal go 70 Newport and receive her tor
pedo outfit and then follow the track OF her
sister ship, the Minneapolis. and make bee-iihe'
as near as may be. for ST. Thomas, or ""eie''.
Rear-Admiral Meade may have his squauioi' u
evolution at the time she IS due In west i"uia"
waters The Maine will probably stay where
she is until the torpedo-boats which she Is ~
carry are placed on board and 1t is possible that
her twelve-inch guns may he mounted "hiie she
is at the wall. The towrope ferry line between
,ho r,a,,,and and the Cob Dock has resumed ac
tive and regular operation, ana the people Oh
hoard the Vermont are again in communication
with civilization by a more direct route than by
going around Cape Horn and up the yard TO the
Flushng-ave. gate the general sentiment peihg
"for this relief much thanks.
Probably the happiest man at the yard yester-
day was Captain Peter c. Asserson, who is in
charge Of the Bureau Of Civil Engineering. The
Captain was delighted for several reasons-work
on contracts for Improvements at the yard was
being vigorously pushed. the foundations for the
new building. No g. were in fair state. the sound
NJ n,ledrivers showed that operations on the
foundations for the new crematory the plate
bending shop and other buildings authorized by
Congress were also under way. and In addition
10 all this he was made the grandfather OF
Martha Washington. that being the name given
to the daughter Of his son, who Is civil engi-
neer in the employ of the city. The Captain is
nothing If not patriotic and when the new ARRIVAL
came on Friday afternoon, there was only one
name that fitted it, on Friday evening there was
a progressive euchre party at Captain Asserson
house. in Flushing-ave which was attended by
the NAVY Yard set the prizes being won by Mrs
Adams. Mrs Bogert. Mrs Elmer DR.. Bright
Colonel Forney and Assistant Naval Constructor
McCollom.
There was only one cloud In the bright SKY over
the Civil Engineering Department. and that was
caused by the report from Contractor Gillies that
his big hole in the ground where 1t Is hopea tha'
some day or other there will be new timber
foc+ and
impossible for him 10 drive steam shovel into
IT, or do anything more than tickle the surface or
the mud with the iron jaws Of big dredging
machine. AL hands live in hope. however. that
miider weather will come again and give inc
contractor a chance.
There was much regret expressed that the bill
for the increase Of the number of the enlisted
men in the Navy had been rejected. This matter
has been mentioned in previous articles In 'his
column, and there is little doubt that before long
the mistake Of keeping the United states Navy on
a short allowance Of men. and at the same time
increasing the number Of ships. will be so plainly
seen that Its rectiication will be matter OF ne
cessity.
The discussion over the Personnel bill among
the officers connected with the yard grows
warmer as the time the bill is under con-
sideration in Congress grows longer. Inc
clause relating to the establishment Oh d iesei -
corps of line officers and the pay clause are
the two points which provoke the most as
cussion. Speaking Of the number of line Off
GERS at present on United States war-vesseis' as
COMPARED with those of other countries. Sea
board" not long ago had this to say: III Is
notorious that our cruisers are top-heavy
On account of the large number OF officers upon
them This is especially of the small ships
Take our ships Of the Yorktown class Each
OF them has nine line officers on board, but no
gunners The identical ships In the Enghsh
Navy have just half many line officers ana
two gunners each their gunboats OF about l'ooV
tons, corresponding to our Machias. have -FOUR
line officers and two gunners; ours nave elght
line officers and neither a gunner nor boat
swain. Those Of the Petrol class have three line
officers and gunner, while the Petrol has
eight line officers. The Detroit has nine line
officers the similar ships in the English Navy
have four Search the British Navy list and
It will be impossible to find ship without
gunner and some Of the large battle-shps will
be found to have as many as five gunners and
boatswains as the regular complement. and
sometimes two or three additional for
special duty.
ut would be well for Congress 10 look into
this matter, and see whether 1t is economical
or conducive to the best interests Of the Gov
eminent TO maintain so many highly scientific
officers in employments which give them no
scope for using their requirements. or whether
better results might not be obtained by increas-
ing the number Of warrant officers Of the gun
ner and bOatswain grade and making cor
responding reduction In the number of line
officers"
The transfer Of the flag OF Rear Admiral
meade few days ago to the Raleigh gave
rise 10 great deal Of absurd gossip TO the eff
iect that there had been trouble between the Ad-
iniai and Captain Robley D. Evans. 1t was the
90 ~ s'ory OF attempt TO make 2 sensat on.
me reason for the transfer was that measles MAD
appeared on the New-York and she was held in
quarantine In st. Thomas for "A few days. There
was no Danger Of an epidemic. as the disease was
OF mild type
mere Is rumor that the Marbehead will be
at1aSned 70 the North Atlantic Squadron. and
.ne montgomery. now at Mobile. will be sent to