Evening star., 1896-10-23
N VAL EQUIP M ENT
Annual Report Of Captain Chadwick, Chief
Of the Bureau.
Endeavorfng to Utilize American Coal
Repairs to the Naval Observa-
tory Building.

Capt. Chadwick, chief Of the bureau OF
equipment, in his annual report to the Sec
retary Of the Navy says that all the regu-
lar appropriations for the past year were
sufficient except that for contingent equip
ment and fer the naval observatory build
ings. The former will show a deficiency,
owing principally 10 the largely increased
expenditures on account Of the transpor-
tation Of freight on equipment articles
from yard to yard and to ships on foreign
stations out of the naval supply stock.
and TO the increased expenditure Of funds
on account Of the greater quantity of ashes
to be removed because of the increased
number and size of ships in commission.
The latter was increased during the last
session of Congress to 81, 500, within which
sum a contract has been made for the
buildings and work begun.
During tha year the mess outfits have
been extended to the enlisted men with
very satisfactory results.
Homng pigeon stations have been eStab-
lished at Newport. r. l.: New York. Nor
folk. Va: Key West. Fla. and Mare Is
land, Cal. and preparations made for a
station at Portsmouth. N. H. Can't Chad
wick says that the period has been too
short TO do much actual work, but the
whole is on very satisfactory basis for
future use.
Sums Expended.
1he sum OF S34b 80 was expended at the
several navy yards in equipment.
There was expended abroad for equip
ment supplies the sum of $491, 1866. OF this
amount sA23.S3 were expended for 61,T41
tons of coal, an average Of s6.S5 per ton.
A total OF 1868 tons of coal, costing
$500 was purchased during this year,
as against $50 tons costing $51S. 74S, dur
Ing the fisca, year 1856 81 741 tons were
purchased abroad in 1896 as against A .9S5
tons in 1880 at an average decreased cost
per ton in 1895 of Is cents.
The average cost of all coal in 1886 was
500. against s635 in 1895.
There were purchased at home 53, 1862 tons
OF coal, costing 1896. 1875 an average of
S'.5I, of which quantity Al, ,521 tons were
purchased the Atlantic coast at an
average cost of s2.e9 per ton, and 7,641 tons
en- the Pacific coast, at average cost Of
SI.h1. decrease in average cost on the At
lantic coast in 1896 over that of 1895 Of q
cents, and increase of % cents on the
Pacific coast.
OF total of 81, $40 tons of coal used by
the new ships of the navy Al 1924 tons or
40 per cent, was for steaming purposes, and
3o,9s6 tons, or 20 per cent, was for auxiliary
purposes. under which latter head are in
cluded electric lighting distilling heating
flushing water closets, cooking, ventilation
and steam cutter service. This percentage
is "a less for steaming and S.4 more for
auxiliary purposes than in the previous
year.
Utilizing American Coal.
Capt. Chadwick says that the bureau, in
endeavoring to utilize American coal as
much as possible, has made a trial of plac-
ing q cargo of Pocohontas coal at Honolulu.
This has been done at a rate which allows
it to compete successfully with the Domin-
ion of Canada coal or that from Australia
1t is of first Importance he SAYS that we
SnOuld use good coal. D3rticnlarlv bo
more distant stations and at ports where
coaling points are distant. The reasons are
many and obvious, among them being the
great ter steamng radius and a thus practi-
oally greater bunker capacity: a greater
efficiency in motive power less damage to
boilers and less labor on the part of fire.
men and coal passers.
The Navnl observatory,
In an accompanying report Commodore
K L. Phyfhtan, superintendent of the
naval observatory, says In regard to build
irgs and grounds:
provision has been made for the erection
OF two houses for observers. 1t is believed
that these will be completed and ready for
occupancy by January l, 1897
congress at its last session appropriated
1850 for repairs to the main building, the
last report These repairs will be made
with all practicable dispatch consistent
with propeC protection to the building while
tie work is being done.
THE progress in grading and improving
the grounds and roads has been satisfac-
tory. and the results are beginning to be
E.anifest in the appearance of the sur
rCUEdingS Of the observatory.
Referring to Prof Harkness' remarks
upon the defective construction Of the
equa torial building. from which results i'm
perfect seeing with the twenty-six-inch
equatorial during very cold weather, the
defects are remedable. in part at least,
and steps are now being taken to apply
such remedies as are practicable
hese remedies will consist in walling
VI the opening between the basement Of
the dome and Of the offices, and of fitting
double doors to all lines of communication
on the main floor between the dome and
the Office iuiId!ng'