New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD
THE COLUMBIA RETURNS TO ANCHOR
OFF TOMPKINSvILLE.


YARp-LIou1p FUEL DECIDED TO BE USE
LESS FOR wARsIlps-GooD GUN pRAC-
TlcE BY THE INDIANA-CHARGEs
AGAINST ENGINEER-1N-
CHIEF MELVILLE.
During the early morning hours yesterday
haze Of fog hung the Navy Yard. which
later in the day gave place TO haze OF smoke
caused by the fiery enthusiasm Of the small boy
IN the district around the lower ends of York
ard Sands SITS and along Flushing-ave. There
was no bell ring" but for all that the work was
not entirely stopped. as there were some little
Jobs TO be done which could be better finished
IN the comparative quiet Of holiday than at
time when all the wheels were going and the
yard and the ships swarming with men. The
number Of men present extremely small,
however and their attendance was entirely op-
t,onal Throughout the week the rush of work
continued without Ceasing, and the results are
shown by the completion of the Jobs which had
DELAYED the Columbia from going TO the an
chorage off Tompknsville. On Friday forenoon
the head mornings which held her fest to the
Cob Dock wall were cast off. and the yard tug
Narkeeta made an effort to turn her around SO
that her prov would point 10 the river. The
cruisers stern mooring three-inch manila
hawser which failed to stand the strain when
the cruiser was about enc hundred feet out into
the channel When the sharp steel nose was
about halfway around the circle ii was intended
for IL to make. the hawser gave way with
bang and the end slipped into the muddy water
leaving the triple screw flyer pointed straight
for the flagship New-York. which was moored
at the coal wharf. and under a little Roadway
quick signal to the engine-room. where Chef
Engineer Harris was in control. started the big
screws at work. and the cruiser came to halt
with only about thirty feet between her and
the flagship.
Then two tugs took a hand In the affair. and the
stately white ship with her four big bun tunnels
IT cutting black smoke. and her cleaning white
sides and shining brasswork and black formo-
able-lookng guns presenting beautiful picture
Of grace strength and power. proceeded on her
way down the river, with Captain Bell. OF the
Nina as pilot She will remain at the ancnor-
age only short time as she Is slated 10 take
the Massachusetts Naval Militia on their sum-
u1er cruise beginning on July H.
The Montgomery. Commander R. B. Brad
ford IN command has been assigned to take the
New-York Naval Militia on board on Saturday
cer1 Julv IL There will be ten officers and
N<tv-tvo men In the party. and they Will De
taken to Orient Point, the State drill ground
rh.,r euuipnent and baggage will be taken 10
the Point On Friday by one Of the Navy 1aru
fugA
woRK ON THE NETWORKS BRIDGE
Work on the new bridge for the use OF the
Admiral on the New-York has gone along rap
1slr. and the present prospects are that IT VIII
be completed within fortnight Ihe trih
cruiser however. is far from being IN the sp''h
and span condition which marks her readiness
for sea service, and she Will not get away from
tb> yard much before the end OF the mohth' as
there is lot of work still to be done ABOUT
her decks The Katahdin. Terror ana Ne"arh
have each had their share OF attention from inc
,.r,ous bureaus and in accordance with In
structioras no time Is being lost In ntting tneSe
vessels for sea There Is still some oe.ay oVer
,he work on the big monitor Puritan. caused IN
psr- hv the fact that the gun mounts are not
an ready for ernplacement When these are
once settled in position the guns Will be mounted
and by that time the fitting out or the COAST
defence vessel will be almost completed Oo"-
siderable work has been done on the engines
Of The torpedo boat Ericsson. which mas Deeh at
the ward for the last two or three weeks. put she
wi, not be ready for commissioning much De-
fore August j. .,s.
The contract time. or. rather. the extension
of the contract time, for the completion OF tns
new gate at sands-st expires to-orrT h a,rd
oficials The grading Of the approaches Is no'
entirely finished but the time required 10 CON-
pete it is small. and the work VIII ne oe.iVr r
within a few days. On the other contract "oih
IN the ward the state OF affairs is not so satls-
factory with the exception Of the Dig uryuoeh'
which is going ahead by jumps, ana W. NJ ' go
,iyered ahead o. the specified time me eheI-
getc methods and measures or the coiilI az 'oI
have been a source Of much gratihcation 20 lhs
n<scars NJ the station and the Department anu
~a,y CONGRATULATIONS have been EXTENDED 10 the
contractors
NO CENTRAL ELECTRIC LIGHTING STATION
y 20 more than likely that the proposition TO
.ohusb central electric lighting station In
.,e ward for the Use Of he shops and ships and
1-ornds will be e1a-d. 'led. Commodore Slcard
Soma time ago appoin;e a board Tor the purpose
~ investigating and reporting upon the ieasiph-
+v and ACCESSIBILITY Of establishing such STA
zion. and the report Of the board IS no" III ''e
hands of Secretary Herbert. AS the report anu
It's ACCOMMODATING RECOMMENDATIONS contemplate
q large outlay for present needs. WIN idi &c
additional expenditure in case the recommends
,,ons are carried out. and as there is no speciIis
.nnronriation for such purpose II Is ulue. ~,
,ppI"t,, Cacratarv has in contemplation the
Noh,iny ~ the ward. those portions y. IL iO'
which the present plant IS not sucisnt' ~ ns
tract with one of the electric hsh''ns 0o''p"'"N'
This case is similar 70 the fre-engine dueselol
Some years ago it was customary iol M niant
wards 10 be equipped with appa, "'u9 -. :, -
Ah,,ne ere within their limits. and not 10
depend upon municipal aid at all TINS prar' a,i
has gradually fallen into disfaVor anu H." a.,
wards are connected with the Guy III 800 a G
;;o,s and engines respond 10 calls the same aS
IN NAN anv other part Of the municipal district.
LIQUID FUEL DECIDED 10 BE USELESS
Another question which has been IN 'he ha'u'
~ q hoard for some time has just been settled
Last summer when the trial trips OF the to'peuo-
boats built for the battle-ship Maine were oei''s
made. a board was appointed TO make tes's io'
the availability Of liquid fuel under the engines