The San Francisco call., 1899-08-15
HOBSON WANTS 4
REPAIR STATION
Full Report on the Work
Accomplished.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-Naval
Constructor Richmond II. Hobson was
heard from by the Navy Department
to-day, for the first at any length since
he was assigned to duty in charge or
the Spanish ships raised from Manila
harbor and now undergoing repairs at
HongkCng. His report is unusually IN
teresting, dealing in general questions,
such as the need of a large dockyard
in the Orient, the increasing shipping
at Manila and the prospect that Mania
will succeed HOngkong as the en-
porium of the East, the value or Chln-
ese labor in all branches of industry,
etc. He says also, the three Spanish
ships which are completed, VIII pe
worth to the Government about S0lo,-
600, and he contemplates trying to
raise three more Spanish vessels now
at the bottom of Manila bay. The let
ter is addressed to Rear Admiral HIGH
born. chief of the Bureau of Construc-
ton, and is dated at HongkOng, July
II. He says:
In compliance with the bureaus direc-
tions, 1 inclose a special report on the
raising and repairing of the Spanish yes
sells sunk in Manila Bay.
The three vessels under construction
the Isla de Cuba, Isla de Luzon and Don
Juan de Austria, are about at equal stages
of completion, which l estimate TO be
about so per cent compared with the yes
sells fitted out ready for sea. Inc pdt.
teries and electric plant, which have not
arrived. will doubtless be the last items.
estimate that the time of completion Will
be about six weeks after the arrlVal OIL
the armament and electric plant
l estimate the value of these vessels,
when completed, exclusive of armament
to be about as follows: Isla de Cuba
chinery, iirs $4,000; total. $2l5,OoO. Isla de
Luzon~Hull, etc, $4,000; machinery
$75 OOO total $2l5 600 oo Don Juan dc az ans das
total $50 900. Tot2' estimated value OF
three vessels, $610,0OO.
He then shows that the raising and
refitting has cost about $343,0OO, max
ing net gain to the government on
the three vessels of $306,000 He gives
the credit for these results tG Naval
Constructor Capps, who made the con-
tracts.
Mr.. Hobson speaks of the general
good condition of the vessels and says:
This is particularly the case with the
parts that remained completely sub
merged. Thus large, engine parts were
scarcely injured at all.
This feature has an important bearing
upon the wrecks still in Manila Bay.
which | expect to examine with divers
when the vessels now in hand are com
pleted The longer period that they have
been immersed may not have seriously
injured the principal parts and there may
be similar advantage to the Government
in further salvage. particularly as 70 the
Don Antonio de Ulloa and the Nelasco,
sister ships to the Don Juan de Austria,
which from all accounts suffered less
damage than those that have been raised.
Mr.. Hobson then urges the desirable
ity of a well equipped United States
dockyard in the Far East as, he says,
the cost Cf private work is very high.
He adds:
There would be great advantage to the
Government in the establishment in the
Philippines of yard thoroughly equipped
with docks and a plant capable of doing
all the work of docking and repairing of
the navy. The British Government is un-
dertaking such an establishment here,
though at great cost involving the max
ing or reclaiming of a large part of the
land required.
Attention should be called however, to
the fact that the success and advantage
of such an establishment. as. indeed, the
success of any industrial esta ablfshment in
this part of the Orient. would necessitate
the employment of Chinese labor. This
labor is not only unlimited in supply but
1t is equal to practically all the require
ments of modern industry.