New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
WORK ON NEW BATTLE-SHIpS
FASTENING COMPLETION ON THE KrAR.
SARGE AND THE KENTUCKY
WHITING BOILERS IN THE FoRMER--NrGHr WORK
on THE wARsiIPs BEING BUILT MAY

ships Kearsarge and Kentucky are not in
readiness 10 take part in the war with Spain
By November l. should II continue that long it
Will not be the fault Of the Newport News Shin
Building and Dry Dock Company Work on the
powerful battle-shps. the most ambitious craft
OF war yet undertaken BY any nation on EARTH
is going ahead so rapidly that the progress is
actually noticeable from day 10 day
AS stated by The Tribune correspondent on
Wednesday. the work OF putting the boilers In
position aboard the battle-ship Kearsarge was
begun that afternoon To-day the fifth boiler
hoisted from the yard to its foundations
aboard the ship. and tomorrow the sixth and
last boiler will follow. They put on the
Kearsarge at great risk. and this fact alone
justifes the statement that the shipbulding
company is rushing the work to completion in
earnest.
For many weeks the officials have been wait
,ng for the huge 140-ton travelling crane before
daring to transfer the six boilers to the ships
bu; orders have been received from the Navy
Department TO utilize every available minute
under the contract In completing the Kearsarge
and the Kentucky.
FASTENING THE WORK
The ships were advanced to such point that
no more progress could be made until the boilers
were in position. so 1t became necessary 10
abandon the idea of waiting for the 140-ton
crane. and to resort to the 90 ton travelling
veyer. which at present is the largest in the
yard
AS the boilers themselves each weigh 80 tons
and the crane has only that capacity. the at
tempt was a great risk. The undertaking was
accomplished without accident so far as the Ave
boilers concerned. and the sixth will prob
ably be placed aboard successfully.
AS soon the Kearsarge is fitted out In this
respect the Kentucky will receive her boilers
IN the same way. The engine frames and other
rough parts about the machinery for the two
ships will next receive attention. and In few
months the Kearsarge and the Kentucky will
be ready TO receive their batteries.
The shipyard has not yet received any orders
10 push the work the battle-ships by resort
ing TO night labor contrary statements notwits-
standing. General Superintendent W. A Post
stated to-day that 10 finish the battleships in
this manner would necessitate the drawing up
Of a new contract, as 1t would put the shpyard
10 great expense and cause considerable loss
unless the Government made II good by agree
ment.
NIGHT WORK MAY BE REQUIRED
There is reason to believe that the Navy De-
partnent Is contemplating this step not only
IN connection with the completion Of the Kear-
is building here: the Alabama. building at
Cramps and the Wisconsin. building at San
Francisco as we'll 1t is known here that the
Cramps are pushing the Alabama in order TO
get 1t completed before the Kearsarge and the
Kentucky If possible.
The contracts for the latter ship were signed
a year before the Illinois. the Alabama ana me
Wisconsin contracts. and should the Alabama
be turned out before the two sister ships the
Cramps will undoubtedly get credit, although II
must be taken into consideration that three Dig
ships are being built here to one at cramps
The Yosemite Is still anchored at OId POINT
The time of her next trip 10 sea Tor target prac,
tice is now unknown. The Dixie was expected
TO ioin the Yosemite this morning, but 1t was
learned that none OF the powder FOR the snip
had been received at tho yard. and her stay Will
be necessarily prolonged % -,
The steamships Mercedes and AmaN the
former from Cardiff by way OF Delaware Break
water and the latter from New-York. both re-
ported having passed no a's''p' o'' '-'' W.
age. e.o,o,s ,as
Lieutenant Commander Thomas stevens has
been appointed captain OF the Navy Yard, re-
iieving Commander Bishop (retired). who VIII
cct q : ordnance officer. Lieutenant Commander
r NJ. G. Browne retire6 has relieved Lieu
tenant Commander SteNens as Iecoiuei VI '''e
Labor Board.
one hundred Naval Reserves from Illinois have
arrived al the Navy Yard and will form part
~ The NeWark's crew. The Newark Will come
ont OF the drydock Sunday. and Will be com
rnissioned at noon. s,
The auxiliary cruiser Armeria is in readiness
IN sail al any moment. large shipment OF
pip!ng and other material 70 be useo IN ntths
ont the distilling ship Iris. formerly the steamer
SSenerrsha has arrived at the Navy Yard. Inc
tornedo- boat Mckee is taking on stores pre-
paratory TO sailing.