The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-14
PORTSMOUTH NEWS
NRvr-Ynrd Notes.

In our wGnderings yesterday we
dropped III to see Admiral Brown and
learn what the outlook for tho yard
was.
The Admiral stated that the Texas
VIII 30 Ill commission on the 18th
lust, and that III four weeks from that
time she will leave the yard. Then
there will be no ship at all here, said
the Admiral. and further stated that a
contract had been made with the Luck
enbach company to tow tue seven mou
itors 10 Philadelphia. and that the first
one would leave this morning, another
tho latter pnrt of the week, and so OF
as they are made ready.
There Will be some little work done
| on each one OF them, which will keep
few men at work, but by the Goth of
the present mouth at least 80 per cent.
OF the present force will he discharged,
as there will be nothing left to do OK.
cept for few men on the now tug,
which is being built, aud only S25, 900
Is allowed to build her.
There is some little work being done
on the Standish, which will keep q few
men at work.
There will be more work for boat
builders in the Construction Depart
ment than any other class OF men.
They have an order to build the boats
for the gunboats at Newport News,
also some boats for the Naval Academy.
and this will give that class of mechan-
les considerable work, but for the bal
huce OF the TRADES the outlook 10 not at
all encouraging, as there is nothing
available and nothing in sight.
In the Yards and Docks there is and
VIII DO quite an amount of work done
The new building will be completed
and q number of improvements nude
that wero not contemplated. The
Bureau being allowed $1,000 600 moro
money than they asked for will allow
them to mako q number of much
needed improvements, such as heating
up the entire entrance building on bot b
doors with steam. This will also III
clude the rigging and sail loft which will
Tree the building of stoves next winter
and Will prevent any danger from fire
and besides will keep the halls, etc. :,
comfortable. The guard and watch
room Will be made moro comfortable
with it.
ln the Steam Engineering Depart
nent there will be some work for the
boiler makers, who are making n set
OF boilers for the Fortune, one for the
heating of the building and for the
new tug aud other work.
The Admiral says that the new
building which is being put in place of
The one that was burned will be the
hnest building of the kind belonging
to the government. 1t will be the
most convenient and will be entirely
Ire proof. The shelves will be made
of steel and the doors OF heavy wire,
also the petitions. 1t will cost at least
$40, 900 less than if it had been built
by contract and will be a better build
lug in every respect.
Admiral Brown feels proud of the
manner III which the work is being
doue and says that 1t is another eyi,
dence Of the faithful manner in which
our mechanics work and should stimu.
late the government to do more of it
by day work.
The general appearance of the yard
is much Improved. especially the park
at the entrance. The marine guard has
been provided with booth under the
trees where they can get the shade.
keep cool and smoke, which ia greatly
appreciated by them.
IN reply to question as to what
could be done III case the Atlanta was
sent here and Congress should make
an appropriation to do what is neces.
sary on her, he replied that should
congress make an appropriation TO fix
the Atlanta, as asked for. it would be
next July before the money would be
available, therefore there is no need to
nope Tor anything from her.