Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-12
AT THE NAVY VAR
Work Being Pushed to Complete the Big
Guns.
Great Activity Manifested Every
where-Enlistment of Marines
Going On.

The navy yard is scene of great activity
at the present time, as the work of pushing
to completion the big guns is being rushed.
There is an increasing demand for ma
chinists OF all kinds to carry on this work,
and it was stated this morning that there
was some difficulty in securing them. Ad-
vertisemehts have been inserted in some
of the leading papers for them, and there is
sign up in the navy yard announcing the
fact that the lnachinists are needed
In addition to this an enlistment Office
was opened for blue jackets at the yard this
morning. 1t was stated that no formal
orders had been received for this, but that
it was possible the orders might be received
said, Wotild have charge of the office when
II was formally opened. which might be
Monday. There appeared to be an evident
desire. for some reason, on the part OF the
oHclals to keep this quiet, while the ma
rines on duty in the yard. however, were
instructed to notify any one making in
quiry in this regard where the office was
located.
Marines Detailed.
1t was learned that thirty marines have
been detailed to go with the Columbia OF
Minneapolis from the navy yard and eighty
from the headquarters. the marine bar
racks, for the same purpose. They are
will not be allowed to leave the barracks
after o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
The enlistment of marines continues but
there is an obstacle, it was declared. in
mat the men who were prepared to don
uniforms Old not come up 20 qualifications
as Tar as physical ability is concerned.
Out of 200 men who presented themselves
in New York recently for enlistrrent unIy
~, or Id per cent, were taken. Out OF tan
VINO were examined at the navy yard a day
O., two ago only two were found fit to en-
list, 1t was said. There is no lack of ap-
rlioants, and the navy yard Is visited daily
by numbers of men who are anxious to
don the uniform OF Uncle Sam, and eager
TO nave a brush with the Spaniards.
Work In the Shops.
This being Saturday there was no drill
ing going on at the navy yard, but there
was a hustle about the place, and the
number of visitors was as large usual.
The signs in the machine shops stating
that workmen were not permitted to talk
with visitors were prominently displayed.
and the rule was strictly enforced. The
vorkmen declared they were working
harder than ever The .'musters," the
different gangs are termed, as shown by a
notice in the shops, change at 1 pm, l.
midnight and am, the work being con-
tlnuous. 1t was noticeable that the work
OF finishing the big guns was looked after
first, and the small 4-inch. 6-inch and 9TH
ers was left for the present.
Some of the four-inch guns have been
completed this week, and were shipped to
Indian Head to be tested. Not day pass
es but what guns of some caliber are fin
ished and are taken down by the Triton to
the proving grounds to be tested.
Guns Ready to he Tested.
1t was stated that two or three Of the
monster thirteen-inch guns, with the ex-
ception of a few finishing touches to be
put to the breech mechanism, are ready to
be tested.
Lieut. Moore, who has been superinten-
dent of docks and yards, was engaged to-
day in packing up his belongings prepara-
tory to leaving to become executive officer
of the Raleigh. 1t was hinted that the
Raleigh, which is on the Asiatic station
VIC uid be sent to Key West, but this is in
direct conti ADDICTION to the statement given
out by the Navy Department that the YES
sells on the Asiatic station would not be
sent to the Atlantic. Lieut.. Stewart will
take the place of Lieut.. Moore.