New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21
NAVY YARD MATTERS.
THE NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON TO BE
READY SATURDAY.


RESIGN Observation-Disclosures FOR BUILDING
VESSELS OF THE LARGE CRUISER CLASS
II is generally understood that nothing takes
q naval officer by surprise. But surprise broke
loose on the New-York yesterday afternoon
when the ship was invaded by four hundred or
FIVE hundred boys from the St Johns orphan
Asylum under command OF Colonel Blackman
of Packard Post G. A. r. The boys came 10 the
yard by special invitation of Rear-Admirai
Pbu,p and were reviewed as they passed in
marching order at the Administration BUILDING
by the ear-Admiral Captain Frank Wildes
Captain OF the Yard; Captain Chadwick OF the
New-York and Commander Kelley. OF the Ad-
mirars STAFF. The Admiral made short ADDRESS
to the boys. after which they were taken to the
flagship. which is in Drydock No. 3. and for
time they owned the ship They were escorted
all over the big vessel. through IT. and under
IT, and had a visit which they will probably re-
member as long they live. The Admiral re-
ceived in his office a number OF the sisters from
the home and Mother De Chantille. who IL IN
charge.
1t was announced yesterday that all the work
on the ships OF the North Atlantic squadron
which are to go 10 Newport will be finished on
Saturday next. and the vessels will be ready 10
sail on schedule time. The New-York VIII come
out Of the drydock tomorrow, but NUMBER
of men will be at work on her all day to-day IN
order TO get her ready.
EXPECT SMITH WILL MAKE THEM HUSTLE
A change Of great Importance TO the Steam
Engineering Department Of the yard is expected
when Chief Engineer J. A. B. Smith, now at NOT
folk comes to Brooklyn. on June /, Chief En-
gineer Windsor having been detached and or
dered to inspection duty at the Crescent Snip
yards in Elizabethport. Work In this depart
rnent has suffered considerably OF late through
the illness Of Chief Engineer Windsor. which
has prevented him from giving that close at
tention to affairs which his department has de-
manded It is expected that "Jab" Smith will
start hustle as soon he gets fairly settled
in office and that the department will soon be
where it should be. alongside that of Construc-
ton and Repairs in facilities for doing work
II is generally considered that at least year
will eapse before the new machine shop Will be
ready for use. and preparations are being mace
TO use all the available room In the yard IN
A rumor that Chief Naval Constructor HIGH
born in charge of the Bureau at Washington.
is about to resign and that Naval Constructor
Bowles will take his place. has been current
for the last week. The correctness OF TINS ru-
NOR however. is authoritatively denled, its
probable origin being the desire Of Mr.. Bowles
for a leave Of absence covering about three
months He has not had vacation Tor a num-
Der of years and his labors. especially since his
assignment to the Brooklyn yard. have been
extremely arduous. He is not aware. person
ally. Of anything which would give rise TO the
rumor beyond the fact just mentioned.
A PLACE TO BUILD LARGE CRUISERS.
The building operations OF the ward are going
on apace the new storehouse next to the gen
eral storckeeper's building being compile
ton and other buildings which above the
foundation well advanced. This new store
DC httf14
standing that II will be removed should occa
sion require. and If the wishes Of the Naval
Constructor and other officers Of the yard are
fulfilled, the occasion will come within short
time AS at present divided. the territory of
the yard will not admit of the construction OF
vessel Of the large cruiser class except in
place. at present occupied by the launching
ways. extending back to the site now occupied
by this building. The fact has been commented
at the yard that contractors are making q
plea for delay in the construction Of naval yes
se.s. and talking about holding off on bids for
future construction. owing TO the rush of private
work. This brings up the question OF the avail
ability Of Government yards for Government
construction. and just at present there Is
yard owned by the Government in better shape
for beginning work promptly on construc-
ton than the yard on the Wallabout The men
are thoroughly organized. the shops are in first
class condition. especially those OF the construc-
tion department. and before the heavy work OF
machinery and engines would be needed the
shops for their construction will be ready to
undertake the work 1t is hoped that the action
OF the contractors will call the attention of the
naval authorities forciby to these facts and
that a portion at least of the work from which
the contractors are holding alOof will be turned
over TO the yard which built the Maine and the
Cincinnati.
FINE SHOP FLOOR.
What will be when it is finished the finest
shop floor in the yard is being placed in
the construction machine shop. A heavy base
OF tar. cinders and sand. almost a cement is
being laid to depth Of four inches. over this
is placed a heavy plank flooring running length
wise. and the flooring proper, running cross
wise, is dove-tailed strips Of birch two inches
wide and an inch thick The floor will be absO-
lutely waterproof there will be no cracks and
frass and iron filings will find no Judgement II
is calculated that II will save it's cost within a
short time. outside Of its sanitary value.
The rush OF visitors TO the yard still con-
tinues. and is likely to last until the ships get
away. Many people have been disappointed
over the fact that the Massachusetts has re-
maned at the Tompknsville anchorage, but
stores are being sent TO her by the yard tugs
and she is in no need Of any heavy repairs it
is not expected that she will come to the yard
until after her return from the eastward trip
OF the squadron.
A talyho-coach party with a horn about nine
feet long and noisy in proportion. was among
the visitors 10 the New-York yesterday after
noon. The men on the ships having a good
rme during their stay in port. and yesterday
afternoon there "scrappy' ball game be-
tween men from the Texas and other crews on
the Cob Dock grounds. Football is also in
Gulged in but far the bluejackets have not
iun against the mysteries OF lawn tennis and
golf. They have hopes however. that as soon
IS the dun is cleared off they will be allowed
10 practice at digging holes. and the assertion
was made yesterday that II they ever did play
golf the first man that fooled" his "brassey"
ehot would be dumped overheard.
The Brooklyn Naval Militia will receive the
gunboat Aieen within a day or two as the De
partment al Washington has ordered her trans
fer
VANDERBTLTS AND B. r. T.