New-York tribune., 1899-03-26
IRSATTHE\ANG YARD
NOTHING DONE TOWARD CLEARING Up
MACHINE-SHOP WRECKAGE.
SOME WAYS OF OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES
MANY CONTRACTORS BEHIND TIME-THE
QUESTION OF REPAIRING THE


QUESTION OF REPAIRING THE
RALEIGH
There is an exasperating delay attending the
rebuilding Of the machine shop destroyed by
fire on the evening Of February II, and with
the exception Of some small articles recovered
from the ruins by the shop employees nothing
has yet been done toward clearing away the
wreckage Of the big building. Plans are being
drawn for the new structure and general out
line Of the design for the new building has been
published but the machine-shop forces are still
scattered around among the various shops in
the Navy Yard belonging 10 other bureaus ana
although a temporary shed is being erected on
the land near the crematory, II will be devoted
entirely to housing small pieces Of machinery
and the strain on the other departments is like
ly TO continue for some time.
Considerable ingenuity has been displayed in
overcoming the difficulties caused 10y the fire.
one Of the latest examples being the carrying on
Of work in the boiler shop steam for this was
first obtained from the hiGh-speed engine Of the
big shop. which was uninjured but this was in
sufficient. and engine was set up in the shop
fed by steam from the main boiler-room Now
this room is to be demolished and Chief Boiler
maker O'Rourke has appropriated for his shop
the auxiliary boiler Of the New-Oreans which
was buiit by Toward in Newcastle on-Tyne and
was sent to the shop for an ovcrhauling when
the New Orleans was up for repairs. a second
hand pump has peen dug out Of the ruins. an
old condemned tank has been utilized for feed
water supply and shafting has been run around
the big shop connected with temporary engine.
With this apparatus the operations Of the shop
are going along as mcrry If nothing had
happened although the wind has clear sweep
through the big room. owing to the western end
having been destroyed by the fire.
The torpedo-boats which are up on ways Will
not be available for some time. as their pro-
pellcrs which have been recovered from the fire
ruins are unfit for use. Luckily. there is no i'm
mediate demand for their services.
MANY CONTRACTORS BEHIND TIME
Nearly all the contractors who are engaged
on building work in the yard are behind time.
some Of them three months or longer. Captain
= C. Asserson the chief civil engince.. is Civ
ing out hurry orders aud pushing the men to
the utmost but the prevalence Of bad weather
since the winter began is mainly responsible for
the delays II may be- unfortunate for the con
tractors that their agreements do not provid"
for this contingency. but II Is no less unfortu-
nate for the yard. as the delay In finishing work
makes a muddle which il will require time and
money To straighten out. Three new engineers
have been added to the stan. Alfred G Lem
crenz. Leonard II. cox. and Ernest T. Goodrich.
but as they are entirely unfamiliar with Navy
Yard affairs 1t will be- some time before their
services are Of much value In reducing the load
Of work the shoulders of the CHEF ClVil
Engineer Thompson has gone 20 Norfolk.
The first retirement for age under IN" new
naval reorganization scheme Will be that Of
chief Engineer w q. Bueher who retlres on
March - "A Rear-Admiral This retirement
promotes chief Engineer Cowie to the foot or
The list OF commanders. Mr.. Cowic Is well
known at the yard. and in charge Of the
Puritan's engines when some OF the fuTnac"
crowns gave way some time ago. He was Sc
verey burned at the time.
THE QUESTION OF THE RALEIGH.
Just what part the yard officers Will take In
the reception to the Raleigh when she arrives