The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-28
WORK NOW UNDER WAY.
Hopes That Congress Will Make
an Appropriation for a
New Dock.
THE OLD AND NEW MoNADNocK
Naval Officers Praise "The Call" for
the Interest 1t Takes in
Marine Matters.

| VALLEJO, CAL. Jan. 27.-The inclem-
ency of the weather for the past week has
retarded much of the outdoor work about
the yard and has caused many of the
workmen to remain on this side of the
river.
The last coat of paint having been put
on the hulls of the Ranger and tug Satur-
day they were taken out of the stone dock
The Unadilla is now about ready for
duty and will soon be making regular
weekly trips to and from San Francisco.
The work of stripping the Baltimore will
soon be commenced preparatory to her 60
ing out of commission, and large force of
men viii at once be put on her to recon-
mission the cruiser as quickly as possible.
All are unanimous in their praises of the
seagoing qualities exhibited by the Iron
box" as she is called, during the recent
gale experienced in the homeward- bound
cruise.
The Adams has left the yard and is now
lying off San Francisco engaged in recruit
ing men. AS soon as complete the ship
will leave for Honolulu to relieve the Ben
nington.
Monday it is expected the Albatross will
leave the City for San Diego, to remain the
rest of the winter.
Much regret is expressed over the I'M
fortunate accident to Andrew Barr, one of
the riggers engaged in hosting the guns
on board the Monadnock, by which the
man is manned for life. The workmen at
yard as well as the officers will contribute
quite sum of money to the family of the
injured man.
Work is being rapidly closed up on the
monitor and in another two weeks she will
be cleared of many of the unsightly look
ing objects now to be seen strewn about
the deck, though all are more or less in
use by the mechanics.
Many words of praise are heard on every
hand to-day over the interesting and
graphic story of the old and new Monad-
mock as found in the columns of THE CALL
which has warm place in the hearts of
the officers and attaches at the yard on
account of the space so often given to the
naval station on the Pacific Coast. The
returned officers and men of the Balti-
more say that THE CALL is the first paper
looked for when the mail is distributed to
tain to find the latest naval news of inter-
est to them concerning the doings on this
coast.
Work of all character at the yard seems
to be Stacking up throughout the various
departments.
Hopes are entertained by the officials
and all others concerned that Congress
will make an appropriation for a new
dock, action on which is now pending at
the seat of National government. Al
though money has been appropriated for
widening the entrance to the stone dry
dock orders are awaited from Washington
to commence operations. This work Will
not be undertaken until such time as it is
found that the services of the dock will
not be required for length of time, as
during portion of the work the yard will
be in crippled condition so far as dock
age of vessels is concerned.
1t seems to be a well-grounded fact that
the monitor Comanche will not be hauled
out in the stream as soon as expected but
that stores will be put on board and suf-
ficient number of men detailed to her in
conjunction with complement of officers
and that she will steam down to San Fran
cisco Bay and there lie for time to serve
as a recruiting station. The monitor has
not been in commission for years, and it is
probable that the department desires to
quell any possible fears for the interests of
the bay city by having her lie abreast of
the same.
Assistant Naval Constructor ] D. Beuret
has reported at the yard as assistant to
Constructor ]. w. Baxter.
Racent news from the 01vp,nio statas
that those on board are in the enjoyment
of health.
Captain George w. Sumner, U. S. N,
who is spoken of as the probable COM
mander of the monitor Monadnock, was
on the coast many years ago. In 1854 he
served on the Massasoit as executive officer
in the North Atlantic squadron under
Rear-KdmiraI David d. Porter.
The tug Unadilla is lying near the ferry
gate this afternoon with steam up in case
her services should be required along the
water front. as there is a heavy wind
blowing.
Work on the Hartford seems to be pro-
crossing, and if money enough is only an
propriated she will be ready for duty within
year and 2 half. It is reported that her
engines Kay be built at San Francisco.
though this is hardly deemed probable with
the facilities at the yard for constructing
the same.
Thomas M. Groves, for many years mes
senger in the general storekeeper's office at
the yard, is confined to his home In Vallejo
with sickness, the result of wounds re-
ceiYed while serving on the Cumberland
during the memorable engagement OF the
Monitor and Merrimac.
AS soon as the Baltimore goes out of
commission most of her men will be either
sent East for discharge or receive the same
here, as they may elect.
STRIFE AT FRESNO