Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-21
Importance Of. the Plant Demands
Increased Sisa
ADMIRAL ENDeH'rS ANNUAL REPORT
Increased Facilities for Docking
War Vessels.
CIVIL ENGIN FER CORP S

The annual report of Rear Admiral Endi-
colt, chief Of the naval bureau Of yards and
DOCKS submits estimates aggregating $12,-
456.390, Of which $11, 252, $40 is set down for
public improvements. The admiral en-
phasizes the Importance Of having proper
provision made at an early date for storing
at convenient points along our coasts the
large number of torpedo boats which are
now being completed and put af1oat, and
fully concurs In the recommendations of
the chief constructor Of the navy that ap-
preparations for appliances to this purpose
be made by the present Congress. Atten-
ton is called to the overtaxed condition of
many navy yards, due to the rapid increase
IN the navy afoat and the report earnest
ly advises an increase in the shore allot-
ment that the land establishment may keep
up with the growth of the navy on the
seas. Admiral Endicott states that several
OF the yards should be considerably In
creased IN area, and particularly the yard
at norfolk. Va Here Congress has author
lied the construction of a new dry dock.
which was desired to be one Of the largest
class. but the admiral calls attention to the
fact that the only available space for this
purpose Is so limited as to preclude the con-
struct1on of a dock Of desirable dimensions.
The Importance Of charging the naval
station at San Juan, Porto Rico, Is touched
upon, and 1T Is stated that a request for the
u oASlSl VI q tract OIL lana DeiOHSlHS TO the
War Department to the Navy Department
Tor this purpose will be entertained.
New Docks for the Navy.
Chief Endicott says that the navy yards
OF the country generally are now in much
better condition to meet a sudden demand,
such as was thrown upon them by the
Spanish war, than they were when that war
broke out. He reviews briefly the work ac-
complished and the existing conditions at
each yard. The big steel floating dry dock,
the largest in the world, intended for AL
giers, La. will be ready for passage by sea
to that place next spring, and the site also
will be complete by the time the dock ar
rives. All of the four docks authorized by
the last Congress are in progress. That at
Portsmouth Is advancing successfully and
with reasonable dispatch. Those at Mare
Island and League Island have been re-
tarded by the change Of plans from timber
to concrete docks. At Boston the works
nave failed three times, the third failure
recurring repairs Of the most substantial
and radical character, which are now being
mace. Inc arrangements for the final pur-
chase from the Spanish government of the
floating steel dock at Havana were inter-
rupted by the outbreak of yellow fever
there, and the Anal inspections have been
deferred until a safer-time. Chief Endicott
says that with these docks the facilities of
the navy will be largely increased, but the
increase In the number Of vessels to be
handled will require still more docks than
are now provided for. However he SUBJ
mits no specific estimates for these, al
though he does urge the immediate con-
struction of dock in the Philippines as
soon as suitable site has been found.
More Civil Engineers Needed,
The bureau renews its recommendations
made in previous annual reports for a re-
organization and increase of the corps of
civil engineers Of the navy. The urgent
need Of more engineers for handling the
work under the drotro
says, is becoming more marked each wear.
The duty thrown upon the corps has in
creased vastly since the outbreak of the
recent war, in consequence of the great
number of large and important works ap-
propriated for at the different navy yards
and stations by Congress. He says that
the reorganization Of the corps should take
the form Of an increase Of the total num-
Der from twenty-one to thirty, dividing it
into two grades those Of civil engineer and
assistant engineer, the former to number
%, the latter 8. All appointments to the
corps, he says. should be to the lower of
these grades after competitive cxamina-
ton, or by selections from graduates of the
Naval Academy, supplemented by course
Of civil engineering in one of the highest
technical schools Of this country; and all
appointments in the higher grade, Of civil
engineers, to be filled by promotion from
the lower grade, after an examination to
demonstrate the fitness Of the highest on
the list for the advance.
Admiral Endicott devotes a special chap
ter of his report to the condition and needs
Of the Washington navy yard. The total
expenditures at this yard during the past
year were $780, 724. OF that amount S125,-
TOO were for works OF improvement; $780,
$50 for repairs and preservation: $40 49S
for maintenance and 1886 for the civil
establishment. AZ works Of Improvement
are mentioned the completion of the roof
trusses and roof for the quadrangle build
ing the work on the storehouse for guns
the improvement Of the electric light plant,
the new roof on the south gun shop the
new steel roof and extension Of store No.
r. the construction and repair Of steam
filters shop building and the construction
OF officers quarters About $4,000 were
devoted to the repair of roads, walks and
drains. Large expenditures were also
made upon the railroad tracks, raising
them to the revised grade of the yard, and
making necessary repairs, at cost of
about $4,000 These improvements have
been of very great value to the yard, i'm
proving it's appearance very much and add
ing very materially to the ease of trans
portation. About $4,000 Of the total ex-
pendtures were upon repairs to the yard
buildings proper, and improvements were
made to the wharves and landings, costing
about $1,000. The expenditures under that
head have been much larger than usual
and have increased the efficiency of the
yard materially.
The public works estimated for the next
fiscal year are as follows: Paving, $4,000;
underground conduit system, 81, 200; coal
shed and coal handling appliances, s25, 600;
yards and docks building, $50 600; purchase
Of land, s133,7oO electric plant. increase.
$4,000; miscellaneous shop for ordnance,
$50, 800; seamen gunners shop, sc, 600; al
terations in new roof ordnance boiler house,
s42, GOO; freproof storage for fuses, acids,
paints, etc, $9,OQ0;: physical and chemical
laboratory and office, 500, $50; extension and
remodeling Of forge shop. $73,S1O, making a
total Of 1851 ,AO. ~ igg
improvements Deemed Necessary.
In explanation Of some Of these estimates
Admiral Endicott' says in part:
VERY much work has been done during
the past and prior years in raising the
western portion , Of this navy yard OF
grade to correspond with that established
BY the city in the vicinity. Large areas