New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD.
ADDED TO THE SHIPS UN-
DER REPAIRS.

woRKMEN Busy on THE OTHER vEssELs-ELEc-
TRrc-LrGHr FACILITIES TO BE INCREASED
THE DRYDocKs TROUBLES
, Business at the Brooklyn Navy Yard has gone
along steadily If not rapidly as might be
wished by those who anxious to see the
work OF getting the small craft as we'll the
large ones, ready for sea- Some OF the tugs
have started South. the Wompatuck being the
latest to leave the yard. but the ierthing space
Is still crowded. the New-Orleans which ar
rived In port Thursday evening came up from
Tompkinsville yesterday and was moored at the
Cob Dock wall When she will get away from
the yard Is question no one can answer rut
there will be no delay in preparing her for duty.
The Board Of Survey examined her yesterday
and decided on the changes required Some OF
the officers have suggested that the freeboard
or the ship be increased. as. although she is
acknowledged to be fine vessel. she Is also
known as wet ship, and that means lot OF
discomfort for those on board Of her Another
place in which there will be a marked change is
In the officers quarters AS the vessel was
originally intended for duty in the tropics the
accommodations for the officers were more than
ample. according to American ideas and a large
amount Of valuable space. will be saved when
the quarters are brought down to the accepted
naval standard. It will be weeks at leas,
before the ship will be ready for sea- as in
addition TO the work expected on her. there will
be the repairs made necessary by the rough
weather encountered on her trip across the At
lantic.
Captain ". u. FolGer. who is 20 command
her went on board the New-Orleans yesterday
and his pennant was hOsted at the main truck.
The ship will carry a crew of about three hum
dred men
Painting the Prairie and Yankee has bt en-
completed. and the crews for the two Morgan
Line boats are being made up on the receiving
ship Vermont. They will carry about two hun
dred men. and there will be a marine guard Of
one officer and forty men.
The placing of the boilers board the Chi
cago has given opportunity for an increase OF
activity on the cruiser and both she and the
Atlanta are small centres Of activity.
A recommendation has been made by the Off
GERS at the yard that the electric lighting IA
cilitles u the reservation be increased ma
terially 60 that night Wort: about the yard and
the drydocks NAV go without being ham,
pered Some time ago plans We're prepared
for charging the Illuminating plant. but there
has been some delay mot unusual occur
renee at the yard in securing a building OF tae
Department Of Construction and Repair large
enough 10 accommodate the increased plant.
As the building 70 which the plant VIII ne
| transferred will not he vacant until July
Civil Engineer Endic1tt Of the Yards and Docks
Bureau. has recommended the allotment o.
S3OUpO FOR the immediate construction Of a tenn
pOrary building for the purpose.
Al DrydOck No every effort is being made
to comply with the order OF the Department to
rush along the work Of preparing the deck for
| active service. But there are troubles The
| building of a concrete wall now under way, is
! hoped 10 stop the leaks the easterly side OF
! the structure. but 90 far IL Is only hope. The
! caisson which is now in the outer sill does not
! completely answer all its purposes as It's ht is
| not Of nature that would commend II 10 the
! captain Of ship 10 be sheltered by II. II is
said hat It's fl in tire inner sill Is no better. and
/ the present view OF the dock Il not at all re-
assuring 70 those who are in a hurry to see II
! completed
The order issued by the commandant. Rear
Admiral Bunce. keeping visitors and reporters.
especially reporters out OF the yard, has caused
some disappointment and a little trouble, but
B. that is about the only effect IL has had II
/ supplemented later in the week by an or
der from the Secretary which has moved the
Army and Navy Journal to the following re-
marks. which apply also 10 the operations at
tn" Brooklyn Navy Yard:
Tho order Issued by Secretary Long this week
prohibiting the giving out ~ nfoi ma ton regarding
. tho movement Of Navy vessels recalls The astut"-
ness Of the ostrich. which hides It's head in the
sand II may prevent anxious friends OF the Navy
Of the movements OF tho ships carrying those they
arc Interested in. but what good purpose can il
serve Spain still has official representatives on
al. Of our coasts and the maritime agencies are
stlli active The order directs that all kilograms
announcing the arrival or departure Of ships shall
be suppressed no matter how trivial the movement
officers who appreciate the good intention. but can
not commend the wisdom % the order