New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26
AFFAIRS IN THE NAVY YARD
swARMs OF VISITORS TO THE BATTLE
SHIP INDIANA
THE MASSACHUSETTS EXPECTED AT THE YARI
sooN-woRK ON THE CAUsEwAY TO BE


sooN-woRK ON THE CAUsEwAY TO BE
REsUMEp-NorEs OF INTEREST '"'"' ~
II there are any people in Brooklyn or New
York who have the idea that there IS any lack
Of interest in the new warships they. shouio
visit the Navy Yard, and the Idea aiiuoea u
will be dlspeed In short order Inc lnoiaha
has been the showpiece for a week, and aitnousn
the caukers are at work on her decks, ana the
steam-engineering force has several JOBS on
hand the ship has been alive with VISITORS.
Through the courtesy of Captain Evans the
usually tightly drawn lines have been relaxeo.
and under the watchful eyes Of the marines ana
sailors the crowds Of visitors have hao the
free run Of the ship, from the top OF the mill
tary mast to the lowest deeps OF the engine anu
fire rooms. Every one who has even a speaking
acquaintance with a member OF the SHIPS stdit
of officers her crew. Il would seem, mas taken
advantage Of it., but the magnitude Of the rush
to the floating fort has had no effect on the
good nature and forbearance Of the men. All
the strangers as we'll as friends have been made
welcome for officers and men alike are proud OF
their ship and take delight in explaining her
fine points to those who not versed In the de-
tails and methods Of 4 man-of-war
The repairs and alterations necessary to THOR
oughly fit the ship for duty. while not ex-
tremey important in their nature, are OF such
class that her stay in the yard VIII propaoiy
last until after June l, and all the various oe-
partments will be called on to contribute snare
of the work. There is at present no particular
reason why the work should be hurried ana
therefore it will be carried on steadily ana wen.
The appearance of the ship will not be altered
to the outside observer, but when she leaves the
yard she will be in much better condition Tor
withstandlng a cruise at sea than she Is al pres
ent The detachment Of her chief engineer.
Peter A. Rearick. who will go to Newport NEWS
and assume charge Of the engineering work on
| tie vessels under construction there. was some
what Of a surprise to those who are unac-
ouainted with the byways of naval politics, but
| "a easily explained. Mr.. Rearick as the senior
| engineer Of the North Atlantic Squadron, Is en-
| titled to the position Of fleet engineer, now held
] by Ciprano Andrade, chief engineer OF the New
| York Mr. Rearick has seen more than thirty
five years service, and has not q great while
| longer to remain active duty. by sehoihs
| him to other duty and appointing him as en-
glnecr junior to Engineer Andrade the latter
officer will continue in his present position ana
a shake-up will be avoided. Chief Engineer
George f. Tower. at present connected with the
Navy Yard staff. will take command OF the
Indiana's engines on May i.
The OF the MASSACHUSETTS, III her tioi
trip over the Cape Ann course, is source OF much
qualification to all hands at the yard, and the
big ship when she comes to the yard which will
be In a few days, will no doubt share the nonors
with the Indiana. In connection with the abb
sence from the yard OF Captain Frederick Rodg-
ers who is with the Massachusetts,. a peculiar
complication has come up. Commodore Sicard'
the commandment, was temporarily away from
duty Yesterday and the offices Of acting COM
mandant captain OF the yard president OF the
Inspecton Board president Of the Survey and APP
praisal Board and president Of the Labor BOARD
we're all filled by Commander John F. Merry,
who. so far as can be learned, made an excellent
Poo-Bah The green RAM Katahdin Is also
away on duty connected with the trial OF the bat
te-ship but is expected back at the yard In a
few days ~
NEW DRYDOCKS IN SIGHT.
There is every prospect that the long-drawn-out
and much-talked-of deficiency Of the Navy De-
partment in the matter OF drydocRs capable OF
holding the new batte-ships will soon be at an
end The announcement has been made that
the new dock Puget Sound Is ready for use.
This dock IL $40 feet long, 57S feet on the moor
and has a depth OF 80 feet. 1t is 81 feet wide on
the floor and 1870 feet at the top There VIII be
thirty feet OF water on the sill The dock has
cost the Government about 100000. and Is re-
garded by the Naval authorities as one of the
best structures OF its kind in the world IL
being about one hundred miles away from the
sea- and with surrounding water unusually deep
I'm some places and deep enough TO float the heaV-
lest battle-shp at all points. there Is little ques
ton as 10 the safety Of sending battleships there
to be overhauled On top OF this Is the cheer-
ing news that the big dock In the Brooklyn yard
will unless something unforeseen occurs. be
ready to have test by August l.. The contrac-
tors are pushing work steadily. and there Is only
one delay in sight, and that is walt for money
which however will be available when the APP
Precipitation bills pass. The caisson Is beginning
to look something Ike a gate. and the men are
In the last section OF the work on construction
The retaining and bulkhead walls will be pushed
with all possible speed consistent with first
class work. and the contractors and yard or
6cials are hopeful that there will be no further
delays In the task OF providing for the Atlantic
Coast a dock equally good as that on the
Pacific. and much more accessible. There VIII
be some dredging to be done in the Wallaoou'
Channel but as the big dredge Is still at work on
the original contract. there will be little II any
trouble on that score.
Other contract work in the yard is in fair
condition. The sea wall at the end OF Main-st
is 50 far advanced that one more run OF low
tides which will occur this week. will end the
operations at the waters edge, and the remainder
OF the work can be carried on as rapidly as Is
desirable The steel frame OF the new building
In Morrls-ave Is nearly all UP. and the old build
ing No 8, which the Bureau OF Yards and DOCKS
has in hand. is nearly down. The structure "a
take It's place will be built by the yard authori.
ties. with the exception OF the Iron and steer
construction. The new gate at Sands-st. VIII
be finished at the appointed time. according 10
present indications, and work Is to begin IN DAY
or so on the roof OF the foundry building, wnich
Is to receive d new coating Of states.
TO RESUME WORK ON THE CAUsEwAY.
The Board OF naval officers. OF which Com
mander C. s. Sperry was senior member, APP
pointed to investigate the alleged frauds In the
construction of the causeway across the Walla-