The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-24
NAVY-YARD NOTES.
An Interesting Interview With the
Commandant.

Commandment
The Virginian representative yester-
day paid Il visit TO the yard in search
of items, but found them very hard TO
come up with. IIe found the Newark,
Amphitrlte ac,d the Wilmington there,
but there was not very large force
mt work on either or them. lie then
paid his respects to the Commandanl,
and asked If there was anything Of in
lerest to the public.
The Commandant, with z deep sigh,
said: NO am sorry there Is not"
The question was asked. why the con-
struction work on the Newark was pro-
crossing so slowly.
To this the Commodore replied: FOR
want of funds this work cannot he
pushed ahead"
The scribe said: Commodore, is not
there a special appropriation for this
work: the general impression is that
Congress appropriated 100000 for re-
pairs to the Newark
Commodore-"No, there was no spe-
cial appropriation for the Newark I
wish there had been. then we would
have had plenty of work, but as 1t Is
the money spent CC her has TO come out
the general fund allotted to conStruc-
lion and repairs, and the department is
dishing 1t out slowly. All Of the vessels
! must have portion. but l presume
there will be more work done next
month. The Amplitude and the Stan
| dish Will be completed by the first of
the mCrlth and will go away, then there
VIII be nothing left but the Newark
and what money we get can be spent on
her BY the way. the ATonongahela has
been ordered here and will reach the
yard by October 18TH. There will be
a number of repairs to be made on her.
For this work we may get an additional
allowance, which would help considcra-
BILE"
The outlook for the yard, Commodore,
Is not very bright? Do YOU think SOP"
oh. we cannot tell; we have n fair
force at work now and may have an
| increase. There Is one thing that hurts
this yard about larger vessels coming
here. and that is the depth of your
water. You cannot get sufficient depth
to bring these ships here. ] learned
that only few days ago large tramp
came here and got aground in the mid
die of your channel. This goes about
and hurts you. We will soon have
plenty OF water around the yard, but
your channel is narrow and shallow.
TWO vessels of any size, drawing much
water. could not pass each other in the
, narrow parts. This makes il bad. Your
commercial interests demands that you
people should have your channel deep
cHeu. ! our commerce Is increasing,
! your cities are growing and ii is clcc-
essary that there should he plenty OF
water There should be a standing APP
| preparation. like New York and Balti-
| more has. SO that the dredging machines
| could be kept at worK all The time"
Commodore. what do you think are
the prospects Of the armor plant being
located herc?"
Il cannot tell. but hardly think it
| WILL There is neither 1rCn or coke here.
and the Government usually locates its
works near where material can be got
ten easy. think this would he a most
excellent place for the plant on account
Of the water, the Inca ton and the clim-
ate and the number OF excellent me-
chanics to be had here
Would not the plant be n great ah-
vantage TO this yard?"
Yes. sir, ii would build ii up and a
large force of men would be kept at
work. | would like to sec it come here.
but am afraid ii would go TO Alabama
| or somewhere else. The fact of having
10 haul material will he used against
this port. and n strong effort will be
made to locate 1t elsewhere"