The San Francisco call., 1896-08-01
Union Iron Works Bid Re
quested by the Naval Con-
struction Board.
THE CHARLESTON IMBRcGLIo
Secretary Herbert Will Not Call {
Court-Martia1 to Try Captain
Coffin.

law. The copies went to
four irms-Cramps, the Union Iron
Works, the Bath Iron Works and the
Newport News Ship-huilding Company.
These firms are the only ship-b building
establishments in the United States that
made applications for plans and specifica-
tions. The fact that they entered applica-
tions is no indication, however, that all
Will submit bids. 1t is believed at the de-
partment that three at least will make
proposals, two OF them for all three ships
and one for two.
There is disposition on the part OF the
authorities at the present time to dis
tribute the contracts for the ships. Under
the law one OF these vessels must be built
on the Pacific Coast, provided the bid SUBJ
mitted by the firm or firms bidding from
that section is not too much in excess OF
the bids submitted by Eastern firms. The
probabilities are strong, therefore, that the
Union Iron Works will obtain a contract
for the construction of at least one ship,
although the mem bers of that firm say /.
intends to make proposals for the con-
structicn of all three.
Information has reached the Navy De-
partment that the cruiser Brooklyn win
be ready for trial by August 20. Edwin
Cramp of Cramp & Sons was a. the Navy
Department. few days ago making ar
rangements for the conduct of the trial.
The exact date has not yet been selecred,
but it is to occur about the time men
toned. 1t is expected that the depart
ment will issue orders to some member OF
the Board of Inspection and Survey,
directing him TO repair to the New Eng
land coast to plat off the course over
which the cruiser is to run, which is to be
between Cape Ann and Cape Porpolse.
When the course has been laid of orders
will be issued to the Board of Inspection
and Survey directing it to repair to Boston
and there to hold itself in readiness to
conduct the trial.
Secretary Herbert will witness the trial.
Other officials of the Navy Department,
among them Chief Naval Constructor
Hichborn and EngIneer-in-Chief Melville,
will also attend.
The Brooklyn is required by her speclfica-
tions to make speed of twenty knots in
order to be accepted. 1t is the general
belief that she will make ABOUT twenty
two knots per hour for the four hours re-
handsome bonus for her builders.
Secretary Herbert has settled the
Charleston incident. He has written
letter to Captain Coffin, calling his atten-
ton to the fact that he should not have
purchased foreign coal for his vessel at
Honolulu, without having first given the
Government coal kept there an exhaustive
test. When the report first reached the
department that the Charleston had Sc
cured supply of foreign coal. Secretary
Herbert called upon Captain Coffin for an
explanation. That officer wrote to the
department stating that such action had
been taken on the recommendation of
Charles NJ. Macconnell, chief engineer OF
the ship, who informed him that the
Pocahontas coal on the Government pile
was too fine and not suited for the Charles
toms boilers. Upon this statement
Captain Coffin approved the recommends
ton for the purchase of foreign coal.
Secretary Herbert, after considering the
matter, decided that a court of inquiry
was too expensive. He therefore wrote to
Captain Coffin calling his atteqtion to the
matter, and admonishing him to make
further investigation before taking such
action again.
He also decided that it was unnecessary
to institute any proceedings against the
two other officers of the Charleston who
were alleged to have been i'm plicated in
the affair. The purchase of coal by an
other ship was also the subject of censure
by Secretary Herbert. The vessel was the
Raleigh, which secured supply of fuel at
oil. ! - -, :. - Il
the department desired the vessel to have,
and Captain Merrill Miller had his atten-
ton called to the matter in comm unica-
ton addressed to him by the Secretary.
The Ne wark dropped down to Tompkins-
vile this morning. according to advices
received at the Navy Department to-day.
and With her presence off Staten Island
Admiral Bunce will have enough vessels
at his disposal to commence his prelin-
mary maneuvers tomorrow. 1t is ex-
pectedthat the Columbia. which left New
Brunswick, Ca, to-day, will arrive at
Tompkinsvilfe, tomorrow.
The Massachusetts will probably not be
able to join the squadron for some weeks.
She will leave League Island on Monday
next for Newport News. and after taking
or board supplies at that point. will pro-
ceed to Newport for her torpedo outfit.
The battle-ship Texas will also be unable
to join the squadron for some time She
was ordered To leave for Tom pinksville
yesterday, but failed to get away.
The battle-ship Maine left Key West to-
day for Newport News, where she is to
have her bottom cleaned and painted. She
will probabiv ioin Admiral Bunee's fleet
in the course of couple of weeks.
The Philadelphia arrived to-day at Port
Angeles, joining the Monadnock which
arrived at that place couple of days ago.
These vessels will await the arrival of
the Bennington and Monterey and will
then proceed to the straits OF Fuca, where
they will engage in mansuvers. The
Alert will join them later.
Among the coast arrivals are Henry
Royle, San Francisco; Thomas McAdee,
Los Angeles.
Pensions: California: Original-David