Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10


fire guns for saluting purposes at the south
end of this space, near the wall, and 1t Is
probable that in the course of a few months
there will be material change in the ap-
pearance of the entire western side OF the
yard.
Damage by the Late Storm.
The hurricane Of last week did a little
damage to the buildings in the yard, and
emphasized the old-fashioned character of
some of the construction. 1t is a marvel
that the fierce wind from the southeast
did not entirely demoliSh the old ship
house at the eastern end of the sea wall,
which has been for many years one of the
most conspicuous landmarks on the Ana
costa river. Memory of modern officers
contains no idea of the exact age of this
building, and the present occupants of the
yard were fully convinced on the night of
the hurricane that the morning light would
show a ruined structure, for the southern
end being open, there was little to prevent
the wind from entering the long shed and
either blowing off the roof completely or
forcing out the walls.
Strange to say, the damage done by the
wind was slight, and the officers believe
that this was due to the original stanch-
ness of the construction. The roof was
smashed at the southern end for a distance
of about forty feet, and when estimates
were made for the repair of the building
1t was found that 1t would be cheaper to
cut off the house as far back as the dam
age continued than to restore the roof to
it's original condition. Hence, orders were
given for this to be done, and workmen are
now engaged in removing the great roof
trusses and cutting down the sides Of the
famous old house.
This house has not been used for the re-
pair of large vessels for many years. Oc-
casionaly the Triton is hauled up on the
ways to be scraped, although this process
is not so often needed in fresh water as
in salt. Occasionally, too, the Gushing has
to be pulled out of water for slight repairs,
and the old house is then great conven-
fence. Meanwhile the sides of the house
have been fitted up for offices, and con-
siderable work is done within the old walls.
1t is a matter of but few years, how
ever, when the old landmark will be de-
molished and go the way of it's departed
companion, the Minnesota house, that stood
near the center of the sea wall. The latter
was demolished several years ago, after
having stood idle for many seasons.
Proposed Model Tank.
A preliminary survey has been made of
an available site for the proposed model
tank, in which experiments are to be con-
Quoted for determining the most suitable
and desirable shapes and forms to be
adopted for naval vessels. 1t will probably
be located between the old shiphouse and
the commandments offices, which stand at
the south end Of the central thoroughfare
Of the yard, Dahlgren avenue. There will
be plain but substantial building erected
to protect the tank from the elements
Within this will be the water-tight box
surrounded by an electrical device in the
nature of trolley for towing the miniature
ships around the course. The building will
be nearly 500 feet long and about 40 or so
feet wide, so that it will be a material &C
dition to the yard.
If the present plans of the officers in
charge of the yard are carried into effect
the space south of the commandments Of
flee, formerly occupied by coal heap and
given over to the storage of refuse of all
kinds, will some day be transformed into a
handsome park. The coal supply for the
Triton and the yard locomotive, which