Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-29
NORFOLK MAYNARD
IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED ny
COMMODORE HyCHBoRN.
SHIP WORK At NEWPORT NEWS.
conversion and Fitting Ont of
soiacc, Vale, Harvard, Dixie, and
Yosemite Personal aud Postal
Notes of Interest.

WASHINGTON. u. c., November rs
,spccial) Philip Hichborn.
chief OF the Bureau OF Construction and
Repair. In his annual report. Just issued.
makes important recommendations with
regard 10 the needs and necessary i'm
provements for the Norfolk navy-yard
Too much stress. he says, cannot be laid
on tho necessity for an additional dry
dock OF sufficient size to accommodate
thc largest ships now in the service. or
likely TO be added. The larger Of the two
existing docks is OF barely sufficient
width az the entrance 20 allow Of the
d5chng OF ships OF the size OF the Texas
90 light draft. and when that snip
is at load draft 1t becomes practically
impossible 10 dock her without injury.
A suitable site is available adjacen, to
ilo present wooden dock.
BERTHING SPACE
Lack OF berthing space threatens at
times 90 seriously reduce the efficiency
a., the yard. At several times IT has
occurred that both dry-docks, and all the
available berthing space were in use. and
81 has been necessary TO berth ships at
81 Helena, across the river from the
T1rd During the recent hostiiities 1t has
frequently happened that vessels have
been double-banked along nearly the en-
lire water front, a condition manifestly
G.sadyantageOus to rapid and economical
work. The timber basin is no longer
ot any use for its original purpose. and
has recently been practically cleared OF
The large amount OF timber which had
accumulated in it. and 1t is recommended
THAI the part lying between Rowan ave-
nue. and the river be deepened surround
"a with retaining walls. and supplied
with "a swing bridge across the entrance
The bcrthlng space thus obtained would
b. specially valuable on account of its
uauess 90 the shops. The portion Of
thr timber basin lying to the west of
Rowan avenue should be retained for the
s-.wace Of spar timber.
FLOATING DERRICK.
There is great need for a large floating
derrick. continued the Commodore, and
sr.h q derrick should be built and main
tanned by the department. a 10O-ton der
..ek could be built for $4,000. and it is
commended that this be done. The
need for this derrick has been repeatedly
pointed out
NEW SHIP-FITTERS' SHOP.
The ship-htters' shop is entirely too
small 90 accommodate even the present
inadequate supply Of tools. and the build
.- Is incapable of enlargement. 1t is
.er.u urged that a new shop be built on
4 ~ of
hop. adjacent TO the timber basin, ana
..rulied with cranes elevators, and other
modern appliances and with sufficient
Jew machinery 10 enable the work 10 be
r0rerly done The Plumbers Department
which includes plumbers, coppersmiths,
ul tnners) Is at present very baby
I0wded. The shop is too small to &C
immediate the number of wOrlImen that !
hould be employed on the work even |
4a, IN hand. The building now used az |
ship-ftters' shop should, when vacated, I
@ converted into a plumbers shop, for |
hitch it is Of ample capacity.
FOUNDRY.
The foundry is very much cramped. and /
r0uld be enlarged, 20 take in the space
coupled by the plumbers shop, when
-at department is transferred TO the /
resent ship-ftters' shop. The whole
uuding should then be fitted with fur
aces. cupolas. FORCES, and air-blast, in
ccordauce with latest practice. The
stimated cost Of these changes, includ-
lr rearraneement Of shop interiors, new
11's and equipment and installation OF
me is $4,000. and the expenditure OF
his sum would be amply justified by the
increased economy and rapidly Of the
work.
AT NEWPORT NEWS