New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-20
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD
AN ALTERATION IN THE APPEARANCE
OF THE GROUNDS.

OF THE GROUNDS.
RELICS OF OLD TIMES BEING REMovED-woRK
ON THE sHIPs-THE SUMMER CRUISE
OF THE SQUADRON.
Beyond the clearing away Of the tons Of wreck
age which have been accommodating ever since
the close Of the war within the limits Of the Gov
eminent reservation, there has been little cause
for excitement at the Navy Yard In the last
week This clearing away, which is being car
ried on by the purchasers Of the unused and
condemned material is working a wonderful
change in the appearance Of the yard, and be.
fore long those who knew II few months ago
and have not seen 1t since the warm weather
came will think they have landed in strange
quarters when they pass the gates. Scows have
been more plentiful than warshps at the sea
walls. and the clang Of falling iron and the
dust Of long undisturbed piles OF rubbish fll the
air. Relics OF vessels which long ago went into
the limbo Of departed ships. and the names Of
which are now forgotten by those at the yard.
are being carted away; boilers which have done
service on every waterway known to ships. and
for years have rested in peace and in close COM
partnership with disabled tubes and battered
propeller blades. have been hauled out Of their
rusty beds and Clipped and hammered into
semblance Of good iron. and then hauled into line
along the wall facing the channel, awaiting
transportation to place where they will be OF
USE Shot and shell and the implements
for sending them against a foe have also been
rudely disturbed by the hands Of the speculator.
and II is regarded more than likely that be-
fore long there will be an excellent chance for
patriotic societies to get reminders Of the days
when the Nations fate hung in the balance, at
O figure ridiculousy low compared with the his
toric worth Of the articles offered One insight
~ pile which has disappeared was composed Of
nearly thousand barrels Of resin and tar. which
had been captured from a Southern vessel after
a chase and sent North as contraband. For
years II had been covered by a shell of a build
ing but that at last gave way before the WIN
ter storms which make the yard their play
ground and the stuff, melted by the summer
suns, had gradually flowed out Of the barrels
and formed a mound which dubbed in summer
and froze in winter, and had more stripes than
the flag under which II was brought North. 1t
required nearly a weeks work Of three men to
get the mass into shape so that 1t could be bar
relied up again. but the work has been done and
the pile is a memory. It's place having been taken
by row after row Of grimy barrels. which will be
fore long be removed.
The people who have bought the scrap heap
which nlled the space near the HldcHihe sHOpS
are rapidly approaching in the work of removal.
the crumpled-up bow OF the torpedo boat Erics-
son. which has been object of interest ever
since the accident to the timber dock in Au-
gust Of last year. When the caisson gave way
the rush of water carried into the dock the
torpedo boat the Commodore's launch, and vari-
Gus and sundry other craft which were near by
The bow of the Ericsson was cut off after the
wreckage had been cleared away. and the work
OF repair begun, and the damaged part thrown
on the heap, where ii has rested ever since
looking like an immense iron accordion with its
ends crushed in and its top taken off, mute
reminder that accidents Will happen IN the best
regulated families. 1t will require at least
month before the work Of removal is COM
p!eted. and then will come the task Of renovat-
ing that part of the yard which has felt the
force of the laborer's pick and shovel. and this
part of the business. unless Commodore Bunce
takes hold Of 1t with strong hand. is likely to
be a case Of delay. lnger and wait.
THE CHICAGO READY TO FLOAT
On the ships at the yard work has been some
what hampered by the fact that the money has
given out and there will be more or less wait
ing until the appropriations for the next fiscal
year. beginning July i. become available.
Workmen have been laid off In nearly every
department OF the yaru' Out IL is eAPeCteu t""'
those now on duty Will be kept on without
change as the forces at present are as small as
they can be made with safety.
The Chicago which has for long time &C.
cupied the stone dock is in such condition that
she can be fioated at any time 1t may become
necessary to use the dock. Her propeller shafts
have all been put in, her sea valves and out
board valves are in good order, and as the bed
plates for her new engines are being put In
place and the engines cannot be put on board
until the ship is foated. owing to the shortness
of reach of the travelling crane she VIII prob
cbiy be dumped overheard within the next week
or ten days. so that her decks may be covered by
the long arm of the floating crane. The Puri-
tan's engines will be ready for use by Monday