The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-10

occasion, as Colonel Chadbourue wag-
gishly expressed it. such as plain Harbor
Commissioner sees only once IN lifetime
After the gubernatorial party had been
fittingly told to walk in and make them
selves at home the business of the visit
was taken up. The old ship Swatara was
boarded and inspected.
1t was readily seen by the least expert of
the party that the vessel could not be re-
paired and completely fitted out as a
cruiser for less than the cost of new ship.
If she is prepared at all for the Naval Re-
serve she will only be calked and her hull
made serviceable. She will then be pro-
vided with a new modern battery, housed
over and towcd down to this City and an
chored off the seawau.
The ship is large enough to accommo-
date all the battalion for gun drill and
berthing purposes, and the four or five
boats, with equipments, would give the
amateur sailors practice at the oars, but
they would lose the benefit of sail drill
The Pensacola, another possible ship for
the Naval Reserve now lying dismantled
in the stream is too large for the purpose
and the Marion, another choice, now lying
in ''rotten row." will require an expendi-
ture for repairs above the limit set by the
department. The steamer Adams, now
being repaired, is the only available ves-
sci at the yard.
She is wooden sloop of war, 1875 tons
displacement, engines of $50 horsepower
and when last in commission was armed
with smooth-bore 11-ineh gun, converted
into muzzle-loading S-inch rifle, a breech-
loading 60-pounder rifle and four 9-inch
smooth-bore guns, also several machine
guns.
fore SAIL two topsails and two topgallant-
sails, besides the forward staysails and
studding-sails on each side, would afford
the young reserve sailors plenty of canvas
practice. She would in all probability be
supplied with modern rifles for a primary
battery if assigned to this harbor for the
use of the battalion.
OF course, this detail of the Adams rests
with the Navy Department, but consider
ing The fact that she is not specially
needed in the regular service as a cruiser
and the Government having more ships on
this station than it has crews to man them,
it is possible that some arrangements will
be made whereby the Naval Battalion will
have the use of her for practice and cruis-
ing ship, although Captain Howison, in an
interview with CALL correspondent last
evening, stated that the department with
the small means at hand was more intent
upon supplying arms, etc., than on re-
pairs.
In the East such ships are kept in condi-
ton by the private means of the COM
panies occupying them, which are gen.
orally made up by rich persons having the
interest of the reserve at heart. The Gov
eminent in this case is disposed to be
generous, and will, to great extent, fit up
the Swatara as well as put her armament
and accouterments aboard of her. Captain
Howison further states that in all proba-
bility orders will be received to put the
Swatara in the drydock and prepare her
for her berth in San Francisco Bay. The
necessary repairs could be finished in a
short time and the vessel towed down to
this harbor.
Governor Budd upon his return from the
navy-yard spoke of the courteous treat
ment extended by the naval officers to his
party, and their earnest desire to further
the wants of the reserve in getting afoat,
but stated that he did not think the
Swatara ccould be made available for the
use of the battalion in any event.
''She is old and worn out" said he, "and
while the hull could be frightened up ana
housed over and be made drilling place
for the young men, my idea is the Adams.
That vessel being already undergoing
repairs could be put in commission and
anchored in San Francisco Bay with
small crew of general service navy men
aboard of her. With her boats and sails,
besides the battery, the boys could have
all the drill necessary to make them what
they should be-a naval reserve"
In a few months the Naval Battalion
will have in addition to ship, hand
some boathouse at the foot of Folsom
street built for them by the Harbor Com
mission. 1t will be sixty feet long by
about thirty broad, and will contain neat
assent ly-room, besides a place for their
3o-foot barge.