The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-05
MAKING A THE SHIPS.
NAVY Yards Will HUM VT
LCTIVITY FROM NOW On.

The Annual Appropriation for Repairs HAS
necome Available and Several ships That
Have Been waiting VIII ne Made Ready for
Service nt Once-To k1nish Up the Chicago.
WASHINGTON, July &.-Secretary Long has do
cided to begin Immediately the use OF a largo
portion Of tho appropriation for the repair Of
warships. and under direction Of Chief Con-
structor Hichborn, work will be resumed active
~ on several vessels at the New York and Marc
Island Navy Yards which have been waiting
the necessary funds in order to prepare them
for active service. The amount provided by tho
bill for this class Of work Is 81. 900. 900, and IL
the Secretary's present plan Is carried out the
greater part Of it will be used before the close Of
the year. He will direct that work be resumed
on a largo scale on the cruiser Chicago
at Now York, and also on the Atlanta, which
has been at the same yard over a year. The
Chicago's engines are ready to be Installed, and
with her increased power she 10 expected to do
velop over eighteen knots and become one of the
best cruisers In the service. More than 500, 900
WIN be expended on this ship alone, about
10000 on the Atlanta, and 500. 900 on tho
newark. which returned last winter from q
cruise on the South Atlantic.
several vessels of the homo feet require re-
pairs, which are to be carried on as fast as the
capacity OF the plant at New YORK permits.
"hie the big battleships are mannuvring at
sea In August several Of the cruisers are to DO
oVerhaulod and prepared for any service the de-
partment may require of them In the autumn.
Tho New York is to DO one of the first to receive
attention, and while sho is In dry dock tho
Brooklyn win bo the flagship.
It's tho Socretary's policy to maintain the feet
In prime condition at all limos, 30 that II 1t
should % called on for service the old trouble of
u VISIT 10 a navy yard for some repairs would
not 6e presented. and the authorities will have
az al times a nrst-class feet that can proceed to
sea On any mission on short notice.
Inc naval reserve exercises this month will
Keep many Of the smaller cruisers actively en-.
work will have been completed, and attention
WIN then be turned to getting tho fleet ready for
born expects to spend $500 900 in The ne1t
three months on vessels at the New York yard.
most OF which, however, will be upon the dis.
The New York. Detroit, and other vessels that
nave been cruising actively for the last two
he expects to have every cruiser now commis.
stoned with tho feet In perfect condition. MANY
o. the vessels require but little overhauling, as
with Spain has put ali the ships in good condition
ment is to keep them in perfect condition and NOT
navy m asHE asteGts to go unnoticed until they
force at Si tho New 'Y% oPR yand. s pFGpSSF r, Tisbb1 Tho
VII DC Kept active throughout the summer. and
n tne Sohstruction Department there will DO q
hyelier time than for years.
Mare island will como in for a largo expendi.
ture also, Out there are three big cruis.
ers which have been waiting for the annual bill
to become available in order that the repair
WORK might continue. Tho Baltimore Is two
thirds nnished. and under orders OF the Depart
mont must DO ready to relieve the Philadelphia
a. Honolulu by the latter part OF August, tho
Philadelphia coming homo and going out of
commission after a long absence abroad. The
charleston is also again due for service with the
neeIi Sho has been lying idle for months and
requires attention at once. The two will Join tho
Meet under Admiral Miller the latter part
OF me summer with the Concord, Just completed.
and the Michigan and Ranger. Work on tho old
Hartford VIII progress rapidly. although the
authorities do not expect to have her as a part
OF the fleet until next year Then she will be a
changed vessel from tho old cruiser, mounting
modern rifles with new machinery, but still re.
tanning a large spread of sail. In ali depart
ments Of naval construction and repair work
the authorities will direct that the activity
which characterized the navy last autumn DO
maintained, and the full available fighting
condition.