The San Francisco call., 1896-03-16
Nearly a Hundred Mechanics
Were Discharged During
the Past Week.
AND THE END IS NOT YET.
Only a Congressional Appropriation
Will Cause the Hammer to
Ring Again.

VALLEJO, CAL, March 15.-The ap-
pearance of the water front at the navy
yard reminds one strongly of deserted
mining camp. For distance of 5000yards
from the ferry gate TO beyond the coal
sheds there is not a single ship in sight.
The only sign of life at one time Saturday
afternoon this entire distance was couple
OF men with corn brooms in hand sweep
ing the wharf for Sunday inspection and
few little chippie birds hopping here and
there in search of grain offood. In some
of the Offices clerks were busy making out
discharges of -shipwrights, lit
ters, machinists, helpers and others being
among the list. No one knew until quit
ting time, outside of those engaged in
making out the list, who were to go. Al
most hundred men during the past week
have packed their tools and received their
pay tickets. The end is not yet though
in case the money comes that has
been asked for by the bureau chiefs and
for which bill has been reported to Con-
gress. If it passes through so as to be-
come Immediately available the tide will
be turned and many of the men returned
to work.
The two monitors, the Monadnock and
,
mer under steam and the latter under tow
of the tug Governor Markham to San Fran
cisco, where, for the time being, she is to be
in the bay off San Francisco for use by the
naval reserves. She carries no ammuni-
tion and but one or two shots and shells
for exhibition purposes.
The Monadnock will go down to San
Diego, there to be exhibited as an object
lesson ofthe skill displayed by Mare Island
mechanics. It can be asserted without
contradiction that in the instance of the
Monadnock she is the first war vessel built
by contract or by the Government known
to have been constructed and placed in
commission on the 23d of one month and
on the 18th of the following month pro-
ceeded to sea on voyage.
The two hulks, the Swatara and Pensa-
cola. are awaiting final dismantling before
appraisal and disposal As soon as
few hundred dollars can be secured by
construction for the dockage of the Pensa-
cola she will be taken in, her propeller
removed and large hole cut in her decks
to allow the removal of her boilers and en-
gines. The steam engineering department
has funds awaiting use in the removal of
the machinery.
Since the two above-named ships have
been lying in Rotten Row nearly $100, 900
has been expended in their care and
preservation, and now they will be sold
for good many thousand dollars less than
a quarter of that amount.
The Baltimore requires, in addition to
repairs to her machinery, new decks.
much of her electrical gear replaced, and
the $50, 600 asked for will but about half
go round the work required.
The Ranger, lying in the stream, will
be converted into modern cruiser, as
nearly as possible, and supplied with
modern armament. The $50, 900 asked for
her will not be near enough, and the
$4,000 for the Mohican and $4,000 for the
Bennington will hardly be enough for
present requirements.
The Bennington is looked for by Mon
day or Tuesday at the latest. She will be
repaired. Following her comes the Con-
cord and Petrel from the Asiatic station.
They will each go out of commission, to
remain until new appropriations are forth
coming.
Anchors and chains are being sent from
the yard down to the battle-ship Oregon.
Each one of the links in the chain being
sent down weighs sixty-two pounds and
the chains when shackled together will be
hundreds of yards long. The anchors are
immense, heavy navy affairs and capable
of holding the Oregon without fear of
dragging or parting.
In the sailloft number of men are en-
ployed on work for the Oregon and ships
in the Asiatic station, and track is being
laid in front of the anchor park to allow
the locomotive to run cars for the trans
portation of anchors.
All who are now employed in clerical
positions are required to take the oath of
allegiance before they can draw pay from
the Government at Mare Island. Appoint
ments are almost continually being made
at the yard, and for places never here
tofore known of, and now that the ships
are away, and as soon as the accounts are
cleared UP, it is feared a reduction in the
force will be made among those who are
not provided for in the yearly allowance of
appropriations.
A leading official at the navy-yard, in
response to question propounded, in an
emphatic manner answered: Eyes, by all
means, Congress should recognize Cuba
as an independent republic. During our
own war it did not take near SO long for
foreign powers to recognize the Southern
Confederacy. 1t is high time something
should be done toward recognizing those
striving Tor their liberty, and their actions
will be backed up by every officer and man
of the United State army and navy. By
all means recognize Cuba"