The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-02
WORK ON THE BOSTON.
Already a Better Cruiser Than
When Originally
Built.
SALE OF CONDEMNED STORES.
Armament and Ammunition of All
Kinds to Be Placed Under
the Hammer.

VALLEJO, CAL, Sept. 1.-The monitor
Monterey arrived at the navy-yard yester-
day morning, and on rounding Lighthouse
Point salute of thirteen guns was given
to the flag of Rear-Admiral Beardsley fly
ing at the Philadelphia's masthead. The
crew of the monitor speaks well of her
behavior in deep water, and would
trust their lives on it even on voyage
around the Horn, though that would
hardly be necessary, as in case it were to
be sent East at any time it would go by
way of the Straits of Magellan.
The monitor will remain at the yard for
some time, and while at the yard will go
on the drydock for the customary scraping
and painting. The present commander,
Captain Francis J. Higginson, will be de-
tached Monday and Captain Theodore F..
Kane assume command. A number of
changes will be made in the officers before
the Monterey goes to sea again.
No orders have yet been received for the
flagship, and it is not even surmised when
the Philadelphia will next be sent.
The Boston is fast nearing completion,
and is Respondent in a coat of white paint,
which has recently superseded the red
lead. When in commission it will be a
much better cruiser than when originally
built.
The alterations of the lower levels of the
stone drydock will be made as early as
possible, to allow of the larger type of
warships to be taken in dock. The lower
altar is to be partially cut away, and then,
after the dock entrance has been enlarged
the largest ship in the world may be taken
on without fear of injury.
On account of increased work in the
steam engineering department, the force
is being daily increased. The machinery
for the yard tug Umatilla is well along,
and by the time the hull is ready, if the
funds do mot become exhausted, she
will be ready for trial trip, possibly
within the next two months.
1t is understood that Lieutenant Knapp,
appointed by the department to see how
the labor regulations regarding employ
ment of men are being carried out at the
various navy-yards, will reach Mare Island
Navy-yard about the latter part of the
month. The officials here say they have
no fear of the result of his Investigations.
Monday being Labor day and National
nOl1Qdy LIE ydrQ WILL Ut CIOSeu 10 WOTh,
but the men on the rolls will receive their
pay as usual.
Mrs. D. o. Lewis, wife of the surgeon of
the Mohican, is visiting at the residence of
Medical Inspector G. w. Woods. Mrs. II.
L. Howison has returned from a trip to
Alaska and the Yellowstone Park. Ensign
II. f. Parmenter, well known at Mare
Island and San Francisco, he having mar
ried the charming daughter of Medical In
spector W. q. Taylor, q. S. N, has been
ordered for promotion in the Washington
navy-yard.
1t is expected that court of inquiry will
soon be held at the yard which will create
much interest to those travelling on passes.
An auction sale of condemned stores will
be held at the yard before long and naval
equipments, from an eieht-inch Dahlgren
gun to frying pan, will be sold. The
most of the guns, shot, shell, canister,
grape, shrapnel and the great eight-inch
battering shell now slowed up in the gun
park, will go under the hammer. Bids
will probably be received from all parts of
the Union, and there will be enough As
caliber bail cartridges sold to kill every
man, woman and child in San Francisco
and every living creature for hundred
miles tributary.