The times., 1898-04-06
THE NAVY YARD SHOPS.
Thrilling scenes Now Seen There at
Night.

Thrilling scenes Now Seen There at
Night.
During the past few weeks the horses
that pull ''penny-roll' street cars up Cap
itol Hill have been working overtime in
an almost vain effort to accommodate the
thousands who seek transportation to the
navy yard. But a daylight visit to the
yards is commonplace as compared with
a trip to the big gun shops at night. The
privilege OF making such a visit is grant
ed to but few, and perhaps not again in
years will the opportunity be afforded.
At present night and day shifts are be-
ing worked, alternating from midnight
to noon and from noon to midnight
Approaching the yards at night, the
tinkling bells of the nervous car horses
are swallowed uD in the dull roar from
the big gun shops at the bottom of the
hill When you have reached the gate
and answer the sentrys challenge the
dull roar assumes ominous proportions
and resolves itself into a mighty. awful
sounding grumble that impresses you
with the partial thought of Uncle Sans
gunshops groaning in patriotic protest
against further insults from Spain.
Following a guide you descend the hill.
Below YOU the gunshops spread out in
a brilliantly Illuminated panorama: the
little yard engine runs here and there,
humping freight cars, emitting remarka-
bly, large volumes of smoke for such q
small thing, and behind ii all in the back
ground the old Potomac wends her way
to the sea.
Here we are says the guide as he
swings the door and you enter the shops.
The roar of machinery is deafening and
puts an end to further conversation. You
see before you 4 scene of activity per-
haps never before equaled in an Amer
lean navy yard. AT first all you can see
is guns. Big guns, little guns, bright
guns, black guns, rusty guns, guns that
smell of powder-all kinds and shapes of
guns. As far as the eye can see scores
OF lathes are tOiling with huge cannon
ana ordance of every variety. Overhead
a huge steam crane is carrying a mon
ster nlnety-ton cannon with the ease with
which you would carry Il dumb bell
You like the big guns best and accord
lngly wander off to where a thirteen
inch cannon is being rified. Round and
round the cannon revolves while the
boring proceeds with that strange
crunching sound, while water is being
poured on the outside to keep the steel
cool, while the workmen watch by aid
of limelight TO guard against mishap
1t takes week to rife a big gun and
this one has been grinding grinding un-
ceasingly night and day for sewers! days
1t moves slowly" you shout to the
guide.
so do justice and revenge, but you
can't stop it. your blue-uniformed guide
shouts back in reply.
1t is curious TO note the comments.
some of them clever, that have been
scrawled by visitors on the greasy sides
of some of the big guns the writing
showing up in plain relief as the bright
steel reflects where the grease has been
scratched.
This would blow Spain of the map
one enthusiast from Ohio has scrawled
on a big thirteen-pounder.
Lend this one TO Billy Mason" is writ
ten on another.
This gun is TO be loaded with weyIer
for a pro5ectile, u wit has written on
still another.
Through the gatling gun shop. which
looks Insignificant after what you have
just seen; through the forging shop,
where the sections of cannon are first
shaped in the rough; through the foun-
dry, where the ordnance is nodded and
now you have seen the navy yard at
night. 1t is a sight TO be remembered a
lifetime.
we won't do thing to Spain" SAYS
your guide after Sood-nights have been
exchanged; and you agree with him.