New-York tribune., 1896-03-29
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD.
CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE RAM
KATAHDIN
pRoGREss IN CONTRACT woRK-RUMoRs OF
CHANGES IN COMMANDs-To FLOAT THE
PURITAN-NoTEs OF INTEREST

PROGRESS IN CONTRACT WORK-RCMORS OF
CHANGES IN coMMANDs-To FLOAT THE
PURITAN-NoTEs OF INTEREST
One Of the most curious sights in the Brooklyn
Navy Yard at the present time is vessel Of the
Un,teo States Navy, in commission. which has
for her final and business coating a layer OF
paint of dull green color This vessel is the
ram Katahdn, peculiar on account of her build
and more so account Of the rad dcal departure
in color which has been made by order of AS
sistnnt Secretary McAdoo. The object of this
break from the traditional white Of the Navy is
to make her less liable to detection by an enc
my's vessel 1t is understood that the torpedo
boats are to be treated in the same way. At
present, however the green Of her hull is offset
BY the vivid red OF the interiors of her ventilator
hoods, which more than ordinarily brilliant
IN contrast to the rest OF the ship. The coming
tower Of the craft, which made gallant attempt
TO lose itself in the mud Of the Wallabout Chan
nel has been put in place. and yesterday the snip
was covered with workmen. who were putting
the bridge in place and painting everything that
brushes could reach She is rapidly approaching
readiness for sea, and ii is expected will go out
for trial trip in a short time.
The Terror is also on the high road to completion
and no reason is now known why she should not
90 into commission on the day appointed, April
l5 The assignment Of the command of the mon
itor to Captain Purnell F. Harrington was some
what of disappointment to those who expected
that after Captain ]. R. Bartett's orders had
been revoked Captain ]. F. Higginson would re-
ceive the billet. Captain Harrington is to be
succeeded president Of the Steel Board by
Captain B. r. Day. who only recently re-
ieved from the command Of the Baltimore
which is now out of commission and undergoing
repairs at the Mare Island Navy Yard. The
appointment Of Captain Harrington has given
rise to some speculation as TO who will succeed
Captain Merrill Miller in command Of the
Raleigh when that officers term Of sea duty ex-
pires, as II had been expected that the COM
mender Of the Terror would have that assign
ment.
The trouble over the dummy bolts used In the
construction Of the causeway Letween the main
land and the Cob Dock is still long way from
settlement. The Board OF Investigation, which
is composed of Commander Charles S. Sperry,
chief Of the Bureau Of Ordnance. at the yard;
Lieutenant Albert G. Berry, Of the receiving
ship Vermont. and Lieutenant Robert E. Peary.
Of the Civil Engineers staff. has been in session
all the week, and will make a full and detailed
report TO the authorities in Washington. One
result of the discovery OF the sham work has
been the inspection and sounding of all the bolt
yard, and SO far the result has been satisfac-
tory The president Of the company hav-
ing the contract for the work has offered to
the yard officials every assistance at his COM
mand IN the way Of placing the responsibility
for the faulty work, but the officers interested
are inclined to smile at any excuses offered at
present and so far as can be learned have not
accepted the offer.
More delay is announced In connection with
the new gate at Sands-st.. and the contractors
nav. received an extension OF time to July 6.
with the understanding that no further extern
sions are to be applied for. That long-drawn-
out Job, the main seawan is advancing slowly.
a part Of the cribwork being in place. Exten-
sions Of time seem 70 be the order OF the day all
around. and those who are anxious for the COM
pletion Of the works are consoling themselves
with the reflection that they will have to be
f,nished-sorne day. The 5ob which Is giving the
most satisfaction Is the new timber dock. known
"a No q The Department recently called for an
estimate Of the cost of materials and labor nee
.ssary TO complete II. and the figures submitted
1yere s1o7 600 This estimate was afterward cur
hoVvn 70 sS5 O00 and as a payment on account is
exnected soon there Is every prospect that the
Mo .ob will be rushed through In short order'
,rh. ca,sson for the dock Is on Its way 10 the
,ord from Newburg. and Is an enormous piece
y. ,rork II Is a double-ended hull. each end
he,r, formed similar TO the forward end OF
chin. keel and stems will be straight, stems 10
raLa forward a, each end, so that the ca'sso''
shall be longer on the upper oecK thah oi' .,'
Lasl There will be an upper deck OF "oou VIII.
,orqItudinal steel strngers. main decK Vi r'ee.
80 lower set OF deck beams with longitudinal
a.. s.-,reers The principal dimensions are