New-York tribune., 1899-01-15
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD
THE sOLACE To TAKE DISTlLLlNG
PLANTS TO THE PHILIPPINES.
NEED OF a NEW DRYDocK DEMONSTRATED
COMMODORE EICHBoRs's VISIT AND THE
ErSr M,curxr ctrcps

NEED OF 4 NEW DRYpocK DEMONSTRATED
COMMODORE EIcHBoRH's VISIT AND THE
FINE MACHINE SHOPS HE WILL SEE.
The retirement Of Rear-Admral Bunce and
the assumption Of the command OF the Navy
Yard by Commodore Jack" Philip was the prin-
cipal affair at the yard In the last week and
report Of the proceedings will be found In
other column in this paper. The only departure
from the yard IN the week the Princeton.
sailing for Manila. she getting away Thurs
day without any fuss.
The Solace will be the next vessel to get away,
and. as an earnest Of the intent to keep a num-
Der OF ships in Philippine waters, It is noted
that three complete distilling and evaporating
plants are TO be taken out by the ship. which
VIII also carry large amount of supplies The
machine shops have two OF the dstilling plants
completed and the third is we'll under way.
They are Of 1000. 300 and 1900 gallons ca
pacity respectively, and. in addition to the plants
already In use and on the way. will completely
equip the fleet with fresh-water facilities. Com
mander Dunlap is rushing the work on his ship
with all possible speed. and expects to get away
before many days
The Massachusetts is still being hammered at
by the yards forces, and the Indianas ma
chinery has not left the shops. Neither ship
VIII Dt dfdiidDit iht SpIHt tiHir. CutdEv -
expected to be ready by February II for ser
vice, probably on the European station. with
Admiral Schley in command OF the fleet. Cap
tain Cooper has his ship in good order. al
though, is always the case with a vessel at
the yard. there are some minor things which
need 10 be done.
NEED OF A NEW DRYDOCK.
Considerable trouble is being experienced by
i
make tide-water connections with a condenser 70
be used in engine plant in one OF its shops
as quicksands have been struck by the diggers
and pumps needed to keep the trench in
working condition The announcement that the
Bureau had in contemplation the rebuilding Of
Drydock No. has caused considerable discus
sion. and 1t is possible that present plans will
be altered materially. II has been pointed out
that the big drydock No 3. is likely TO be in
use on long Jobs like that OF the Massachusetts,
now in the dock. for some time and that If the
smaller dock is put out OF commission il will
leave only the stone dock available for in
case Of emergency.
AS this dock VIII only take vessels OF the Chi
caso class and smaller the contingency is de-
clared TO be one which should be avoided. The
suggestion has been made that a new dock
which is sadly needed at this station. be con-
structed, with its entrance between the present
entrances Of the stone dock and No . and run
ming toward the boiler shops of the Engineering
Bureau or at en- angle of IL degrees with the
present timber dock. This. ii is shown, could
be done without interfering with the usefulness
OF Dock No ,, and without troubling the build
ings OF the yard save a small storehouse and
possibly the sawmill. This would give docking
facilities equal 10 any probable demand and
would be great help in handling the business
Of the yard.
COMMODORE HICHBORN's VISIT
Commodore Hichborn. the chief Of the Bureau
of Construction and Repair is expected at the
Yard tomorrow, and will Inspect the new ar
ranGement OF the shops Of the bureau. The
Commodore Will be surprised. In Building No.
10 the old office structure he will find that a
complete set Of paint-mxing machinery has
been installed in a room specially fitted for Sbat
purpose. that the old single dynamo plant has
grown TO five machines that the upper floor
has been equipped in the most complete man
ner as Joiners shop. with electrical connec-
tions for heating glue pOtC. an electric elevator
and every appliance needed 10 turn out fine
work quickly
In Building No 90 the machine shop Of the
bureau, he will find a complete installation OF
the latest improved machinery, all the Old over
head tansle OF shafts and betting cleared away
two ten-tOn electric cranes running the full
length or the SnDp. 2 tOOirOom little snort or
perfection. the only machine Of its kind In The
possession Of the Government. which cuts out
involuted teeth in gear wheels, and handle
a disk OF steel two feet in diameter; hydraulic
ram by which collars be removed from
shafts in short order and with little trouble and
other things which win send him back 10 Wash
ington with the idea which has struck several
civilians who have inspected the plant. that the
G G)vernment should send some construction work
to the Yard. instead Of, as a. present, deyoting
II almost entirely to repair.
ANXIOUS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK.
Naval Constructor Bowles is extremely anx-
ious that the facilities Of the Yard should be
utilized and points out that the present force.
which IS not very large. should be kept intact.
II possible. by having construction work on
hand which would keep the men occupied when
repair work slack. as by that means the
Government would have at all times thor
oughly trained and efficient force at its com
mand
No report has yet been made by the Board
which examined candidates FOR the place OF
master shi9wrlght more than week ago.