New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-14
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY lAhD.
PLENTY OF HARD WORK FOX THE MA
CHINE AND CONSTRUCTIONS SHOPS
WHEN THE FLEET RETURNS.

WHEN THE FLEET RETURNS
Tho order 70 naval and military commanders to
cease hostl,ties against Spn!n caused good oe'i
Of satsfa ctiun at the Navy Yard. when was 'hi'"-
" due to the natural feeling OF gratifcatoh o'''
the ;riumphs OF American arms. As most o. 'n'
sh!ps which have made such brilliant recorus III
the naval conflicts were fitted out and handiea NJ
this station the personal feeling OF the o'hcers
and workmen regarding them was htt'e more
pronounced than II would have been had they come
from other shops Now that the big ones nave
been ordered North there Is a heap OF Uouo'e
ahead for the yard people. Although more IMAM
half a hundred vessels have been lifted out thcre
since the war began. not including the work on
regular Navy vessels. the Chicago. the Atlanta
and others tho shop forces have not been pushed
aa much "a they EXPECT 10 be In The month io1-
lowing the arrival Of the New-iork ana her COM
panions al Tompkinsville. The big ships nave
been in tropical waters for several months. they
are known TO he covered with barnacles and ma
r,ne growths and they al in need OF careful
overhaulng The engines and boilers have been
subjected 10 severe strains. and constant steam
ing has made the motive power n serious question.
There repairs 10 be made or when the out
side world knows little or nothing. and all hands
are preparing for a season OF activity which VIII
rival n not exceed that Of the first TWO or three
weeks OF warfare.
The Texas was once more the centre Of attrac-
ton Yesterday md the usual swarm Of visitors
prowled around the ship. under the guidance
Of members OF the and messengers all OF
whom took apparently much delight in telling
again the stories Of The hgh's az they did
when they were ali new The officers are h"con-
ing somewhat wearied Of the constant drain on
their time ard attention and although Their" ia no
admttance without pass. and no passes are 10 10"
had except on written aspiration 20 the captain
OF the Yard there appears 10 be no let up In the
stream OF visitors. and IN" oinrers are looking
ahead 10 the time when they will be out OF reach
OF the crowds and the other ships come In for
share OF the glOrinCafOn No one seemed
TO know yesterday Just when Captain Sgsbe"
would take charge Of the ship and Captain Philip
start on his trip 10 the Pacific Coast. where he
IL TO take charge Of the Mare Island Navy Yard.
but the change Is not expected for a week.
The drydock hall filed with water yesterday
afternoon and the Texas was ready 10 he hoated
the high 'ide about O'Clock.
What Will he done with the ships bound North
when they come 10 the yard Is problem which
the officials trying 20 solve. The plac" IA
crowded present. and although the r"frigerating
steamer Celtic will 60 away to-rnorrow. ana tn"
departure OF the Panther - put down For
early date the sailing Of these ships will not
terially increase the herihius room Ia the yard
The Celtic towed 10 tn. main sea wall yester
day and the work Of putting stores and supplies on
board rushed ahead tn" Panther was ~ the
coal wharf, taking on board big supply ~ fuel
and I'm addition 70 her sspplic. she VIII TAX" n
full from the receiving ship Vermont when
she starts for Key West
A circular saw Is rapidly cutting on the piling
Of the drydock Golfer dam AZ the level % the mud
but there is considera Ole work ahead. and II Will
be weeks b fore the entrance 20 the dock
full Of water and no signs OF weakness ap-
parent
The vessels on which work Is being done AZ the
yard include IN Atlanta. the Chicago. the Texas
the Buffalo. thu Celtic tho Panther. the Enquirer
the shearwAte' The Rainbow. the Porter and the
dupont