New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-10
QUICK WORK on TIE BANCROFT.
THE LITTLE CRUISER WILL BE READY TO SAIL
on TIME-wHAT HAS BEEN DONE
on BOARD.


The rev Navy Yard gate at Sands-st. was opened
al o'clock yesterday morning and the old gate At
York-st. closed II is understood that the order
open the gate received from the Depart
ment at Washington late Tuesday The new gate
Is quite an elaborate affair. being made OF wrought
iron and hung marble posts Surmounting each
post Is handsome bronze eagle with outstretched
wings. On each side Of the gateway Is a one-story
stone building in medieval architecture. The build
ing on the right f. the gatekeepers lodge that on the
left is for the OF the marine guards. The new
entrance built by local contractor from
designs furnished by Government engineers. The
total cost $4,000
The opening OF the new gate. 1t Is said. Is an IN
dication that the authorities at Washington do not
agree with Commodore Sicard in his opinion about
the artistic merits Of the marble columns The
Commodore found fault with the frieze on the col
umns and dccired to accept the work. The con-
tractor contended that the work was done strictly
in accordance with the specifications and designs
of the engineers. and II there were any fault they
alone were responsible. The Department appointed
a Board 10 investigate the matter. but their report
has never been made public. The York-st gate
bears big sign ettered I'm crayon: This gate
closed" II will probably not be walled up at pres
ent The old guardhouse will hereafter be used by
the Labor Employment Bureau.
1t Is now lust week since the Bancroft entered
the drydock to he changed from a cadet-shp to A
cruiser The work Will practically be completed
will serve 20 show with what speed the skilled me
chanics Of the yard can work.
The three heavy rasts with which the vessel was
fitted together with the rigging. were removed and
two lighter masts set and rugged. The G adet
quarters torn out and three new coal bunkers
built with two new coalports and trunks The
cutting OF these ports through the steel hus was
one OF the most difficult tasks done on the ship.
New watertight doors and hatchways were also
nut In these bunkers. The master ship-:itter Mr.
1-awthorne long connected with the Messrs
Cramp says this part of the work alone would re-
ouire fifteen days IN almost any shipyard In the
country But In addition to this. the cadets bath
room was cha aged to prison, the compass plat
form moved from the quarterback to the mldshlp-
mems bridge the midship boats had new stowage'
the main deck pumps were moved fifteen feet Tor
ward and complete new set of connecting pipes
put in
The bottom Of the ship was cleaned ard the yes
sci PAINTED outside and inside. except the officers
quarters which vanished. An entire new
system Of electric lights and lines was put in The
fife rails all removed from the deck ana ne"
l.a,lsman's platform built.
The master joiner transferred the armory 10 me
dispensary. and vice versa The cadets WashrG ION
transformed INTO th pay intst - .rroar,s
pantries were entirely reftted and nVe storeroonS
between decks torn ou, am rb gy furniture The
ordnance department thoroughly oIerhiuleu .le
,here We're hundred little matters which the OFF,
cials in charge could not enumerate. me tnt te
OF additions
and it has kept about lC2 OF tne mos ant SIN
men i'm the yard busy night and day, except sun
day since the work was begun - 800
~. ofBcers are unanimous in saying that no yes
sol was ever fitted for g. long sea voyage IN SO soi
a time Specuations about the Bancroft are ift ~
,ndmioed in and many OF the officers intimate thIt
he BEAUTIFUL little cruiser will never hoat IN Atnr
loan waters again. IL IL believed ~ Some h'tt sie
Iii lao sold 10 China Others shake their heads
Knowingly and talk vaguely of some rounda,DouSS
deal whereby the Bancroft VIII reach the hsIpS U
the struggling cuban patriots ana drive op a -,
merchantmen from the sea. she VIII De reduy - -
s-fll
IS not likely though. that she VII. san before iu
day. 80, -t, -, tho timber dry
dock removing the damaged gasket ohY It."
feet can be torn off daily.