The San Francisco call., 1896-11-18
At THE BROOKLYN YARD.
Cons iderabIe Bork B-ing Done to Get
Frrships in R~adfness.

Considerable Bork B-ing Done to Get
Frrships in Readfness.
NEW YORK, N. Y, Nov. 17.-Thou-
sands visited the Brooklyn Navy-yard Sun
day, and admired the great war vessels
that stand ready to defend the honor OF
the American flag in all climes and under
all circumstances. 1t was by far the most
notable Sunday at the yard for visitors
this year, and the officers commented over
the unusual mum ber Of men in the throng.
Every evidence of readiness for active con-
fict was approved by the people.
Interest seemed chiefly TO center about
the Texas, but solely, as could be learned
| readily from the conversation OF the visit
ors on account of the recent notoriety
gained by that unlucky fighting machine.
From the Texas the throng streamed to
the New York, the Maine and the Indiana,
which, it was SAID. were ready to sail i'm
mediately. No less enthusiasm was shown
for the cruiser Montgomery. and the great
monitor Puritan and the ram Katahdin.
Much curiosity was shown by visitors to
the dismantled Essex, Chicago and At
lanta as to when these vessels would be
ready, like the others. Nothing definite
was stated about any of these.
Another unfailing object of interest was
the torpedo boat Ericsson, which was
damaged badly BY a recent accident in the
ward. The broken and twisted plates
have been removed, and as the vessel now
appears she is anything bat formida BILE in
appearance. 1t is said at the yards that
the repairs are being pushed and will be
speedily finished on this as well as on all
~ nciu nf nd do
struction now at their moorings.
Possibly out of regard for Sunday there
was no outward evidence of work going on
in the navy-yard. But the outward calm
did not mean that work had been entirely
discontinued. Far down in the Texas an
army of men were al work all day remedy
ing the results of her latest mishap. 9th
ers were working In the Essex and the
Puritan, and for this reason visitors were
somew bat restrained in their movements
on these vessels.
In the machine-shop also it was noticed
as O'Clock approached that score OF
more of men suddenly appeared about the
lath :, and the steam in the boiler regis.
tered sixty pounds on gauge. What
these men were TO DO through the night
the foreman declined to say, but it i:
likely that they are at work in connection
with the repairing now going on in the
Texas.
The Texas hull has stood the strain oi
docking without apparent injury. Hel
machinery has suffered severely from the
immersion In salt water, but the DANA ge
is OF kind that may be easily overcome.
II is said that the Texas is certain of being
out of he drydock within a week.
Even before the gates of the Brooklyn
Navy yard were opened yesterday crowi
of men numbering several hundred had
congregated opposite the new gate at
Sands and Navy streets. ALI were look
ing for work. Inside the yard yesterday
the activity showed no signs of abate-
NJ ent.
Among the office and men in the yard
there is great deal of speculation going
on as to what the intentions of the Gov
ernment are. Admiral Bunce, command
ing the feet, has returned from Washing
ton and has had two long interviews with
commodore Sicard, commandant OF the
navy-yard. The result of these interviews
none OF the subordinates know, and Com
modore Sicard absolutely refuses to dis
close them.