Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-28
THE BUREAU OF EQUIPMENT
Annual Report to the Secretary Of The
Navy.
Great Attention Paid to the Testing Of
Coals-Electrleity On ShipbeaFd-
The Annapolis Academy.

| Commander Chadwick has made q report
to the Secretary Of the Navy Of the op-
erations Of the bureau Of equipment dur
ing the past fiscal year, showing thai
$S97. 15S were expended at the several navy
yards for labor In equipping vessels. and
that there was expended abroad for equip
ment supplies the sum Of $4s9956.07. OF
this amount $37aS4O.6 was expended for
5&26S tons Of coal, an average Of $66S per
ton.
The chief says the Ardois signal sys-
tenn has been much improved. The
Very night signals and method Of mr.
ing have also been much alter
ed in the line Of safety and in the greater
height to which they can be thrown by
the adoption Of a new pistol
Aluminium binnacfes have been introduced
and changes made in the system Of COM
pensation. by which there Il great saving
of weight and space.
new and improved form of life belts
furnished for every officer and man aboard
ship. instead Of but for a small percentage
as formerly.
A homing pigeon service has been estab-
New York. Norfolk. Key West and Mare
Island, which promises well. There are
times, Commander Chadwick says. when
such q service might be Of inestimabfe
value.
Testing Coal.
The bureau has given great attention to
the question of testing Goals. There has
been a continuous series of tests for evap-
orative efficiency carried on, this testing
Icing done at the New York and Mare
Island yards, the only two fitted for the
work. and very large series of chemical
tests has been made, and continues to be
made, at the Washington yard. Ships are
obliged to test and report on tabulated
forms upon the quality of all Goals taken
aboard. The data thus obtained is now
very extensive. covering probably larger
field than has ever been covered before in
such matters. These reports have been
published for the last two years, and form
valuable volume of reference.
The chief says he is of opinion that we
should use the best coal obtainable, when
ever the price is reasonable in comparison
with that of other Goals. 1t may be said
in a general way that the best coal Is the
cheapest COAL as it gives a greater steam
ing radius, Is easier 10 fire, causes less in
jury to boilers and uptakes, and requires
smaller force to handle.
He again urges the building of q coal
barge for rapid coaling, by which as much
as $50 tons of coal may be delivered per
hour. The coaling of ships. If such a barge
could be supplied at our more important
stations. he says. would not only lessen the
heavy work thrown upon the men, lessen
eAC ~ ihldCuAlCIy dIlu SHIPS fittings
which comes from extending the coaling
some times through several days, but 1t
might be of vital Importance to US in GER
tain exigencies to coal more rapidly than Is
possible under our present arrangements.
A total Of 13S,31S tons of coal, costing
$685.. 921.72 was purchased during this year,
as against 116,903 tons, costing $500, 131 .3S,
during the fiscal year ending June 80, 1886;
6,26S tons were purchased abroad in 1897,
as against 81. TAI III 1896 at an average de-
creased cost per ton in 1897 Of II cents.
The average cost Of all coal purchased In
1897 was S4.75, against $3.50 in 1896
OF a total of 115, 723 tons Of coal used by
the new ships of the navy, 81, 614 tons, or
10 per cent was for steaming purposes and
65, 1O9 tons, or 50 per cent, was for auxil-
larry purposes under which latter head are
included electric lighting. distilling, heat
ing, flushing water closets cooking, venti-
iating and steam cutter service.
Electricity ON Shipboard.
The electric lighting installations already
in our later ships and those to go In the
ships now building are believed 10 be GER
tainly equal to any elsewhere, if not in
advance. There can be no question, says
Commander Chadwick, of the great utility
of the extension of the application of cleo
tricity to all the minor work of the ship.
Its perfect controllability, it's cleanliness
the absence OF heat. the absence Of danger
II the connections be cut, which exist in
the case of steam pipes, are ADVANTAGES
which cannot be overlooked.
He urges the increase Of pay for those
men connected with the electrical service
OF the ship This service Is more contjn-
uous, more difficult and requires more ex-
pert knowledge than falls to the lot of any
other enlisted men.
The Naval Observatory
Commodore Phythian, formerly superin-
tendent of the naval observatory, makes
the following statements In regard to the
buildings and grounds of that institution:
Satisfactory progress has been made in
rhe improvements of the grounds and
roads. The two new houses erected for
residences of observers are now occunied
me buildings are generally In good condi-
ten Leaks through the walls on the north
s'oe OF the superintendent's residence have
developed during recent storms to a degree
That will necessitate a careful Inspection
ana such repairs as may prove to be nee
essary for its preservation"