The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-02
Uncle Sam Is Heading The Old Suggestion
and Preparing for War.
WORK AT THE NORFOLK NAVY YARD
The Winsiow Ready for Sen and VIII
Probably sail ThursIay Pre- Gnu.
lions ms Regards visitors-A Lar.
ger Smoke Stack for tho Puritan
The Footc-The Essex Inspected.

Though the excitement attendant up-
on the Maine disaster has, In meas
ure, subsidized, interest in the outcome
OF the event is still sustained, and
Uncle Sam goes energetically on with
his preparations, naval and military
II there is war, ne will be ready for it.
over at the navy yard every one Is
busy, and the sound of the hammer is
never silent, day or night.
On the big monitor Puritan the I'm
ishing touches a.c being put to her
boilers. The smokestack is being made
longer by twelve feet. This will In
crease the draft and speed of the ship.
Yesterday several Calling and fIotch-
KISS guns were hoisted to the fighting
top as a permanent ba.t tery. They
will hardly be brought down until the
war agitation has passed The Purita an
will be dry locked in the next twenty
four hours.
Speaking of her, yesterday, Commo-
dole Fa:quhar. conrmandant of the
navy yard, said that 1t would proba bly,
take two weeks to complete repairs on
her, but in case Of emergency she could
be gotten ready for sea in two or three
days.
The two leaks discovered in the hull
of the Winslow hava been repaired ana
she was taken fgc!n the dry dock yes
~" u''S diolu '9Es COtLleN SSSteE-
day and is expected TO sail this morn
ing. 1t is understood that her orders
are to proceed to Key West.
The torpedo boa; Foote will be taken
out of dry dock III Il short time and
will soon be ready for sea.
The additional precautions that arc
being taken Al the yard in receiving
visitors is significant. Heretofore Wis
NoEs entered the yard unchallcngcd and
went where they pleased. New they
are challenged al the gate. and sent to
the captain of the guard, who, after
ins;ructing them net 10 remlin long ut
one place, not to talk to any employees.
ana not to smoke, gives them permits
sion to enter. The yard police has been
materially increased. and about the
wharves and docks especially every one
Is required to be on good behavior.
Mate Il. NJ. Isaac, of the receiving
ship Franklin, returned yesterday from
Port Royal, S. c.. where he took a
draft of sixteen men TO the monitor
Amphitri:e. He says he found every
one he talked with ready and anxious
for war. particularly the old veterans.
The Acnph!trite is ready for service
upon call. She is now being used
chiefly in training sixty of Uncle Same
boys for gun captains.
No more recruits are being received at
present az the Noriolk navy yard, the
quota for the Names vacancies having
been filed
Captain Dickens, assistant chief of
the Navigation Bug au is AZ Old Point,
and has just completed an inspection
OF the u. S. training ship Essex, an
chored in Hampton Roads. He may
not come TO Norfolk. as his duties do
not require 1t.
Lieut.. Bitter, u. S. NJ, in charge Of
the naval reserves Of Virginia and
North Carolina, is in the latter State
inspecting the men.
The officers of the two naval reserve
companies held n conference at No.
Cumpany'S a!m0ry tonight. Com
pany =. holds hts frs: drill 1T this ar
mory tonight also.