Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-24
4 TRAINING CRAFT

ravine runs a boisterous stream of water, which is
pretty we'll swolleni in the spring ofthe year, but which is
nearly dry during the summer.
At the bottom of the ravine one would have a hard
time to imagine himself in the center of so large a gov
eminent institution. But following it toward the lake,
you are brought to the point where the ship basin
begins. A sort of landlocked harbor has been dug out,
in which several goodsized gunboats could be sheltered
in safety during the worst storms on the lake. A large and
wellequipped boathouse has been built at the point
where the basin connects with Lake Michigan, and
there are abundant facilities for the housing of cutters
and other craft which will be used by the embryo
sailors in their practice maneuvers.
An artistic bridge has been constructed across the
ravine about so feet above the stream of water, which
connects with a road running directly into the center
of the reservation. The high bluffs on each side of the
basin give a stately effect to the general view of the
reservation from the lake. At the top of the highest
bluff, overlooking the lake and commanding the widest
view of the entire surrounding country, is the administra-
ton building, a handsome structure built of pressed brick.
In the center is a high tower with windows at various
stages. At one side of the administration building are
three smaller buildings, which will probably be used for
officers or instructors dwellings.
The main instruction buildings, lecture halls and
dormitories for the regular members of the institution
are in close proximity to the administration building.
The larger Of these have been completed and are prac-
tically ready for occupancy. 1t would be possible for the
institution to be opened this fall, so great has the prog
ress been made upon it, but it is likely that the formal
opening will not take place until July /, 1910, when Rear
Admiral Albert E. Ross, who has been in charge of the
construction since its inception, says it will be completed.
1t is planned to care for between 1000 and 5000
recruits for the navy at the new training station, and
many more than this number could be taken care of in
an emergency. Several thousand welldriled sailors can
be turned out each year, and the result will be a greatly
increased efficiency among the rank and file composing
the United States navy.
Bids were recently opened in Washington for new
work on the Naval institute which will aggregate half a
million dollars. James Corse of Racine was awarded the
contract for the construction of the officers houses, which
include a commandments house for 100000 and six junior
officers houses at $4,000.
The principal work of the coming year, however, will
be on the medical department buildings, which will in
vove an expenditure of $4,000 and will be the finest of
their kind in the west. They include a hospital which
will cost s234,00 senior medical officers house, $4,000;
Junior medical officers houses, $38, 000, and hospital laun-
dry, 1900. The Noel Construction Company of Bati-
more was awarded this last important contract.
Before the station is completed the gunboat Nashville
will have arrived in Chicago, which will be utilized as a
training vessel by the Illinois naval militia. Great prep
arations are being made for the reception of the Nash
vile, but it is likely that the vessel may be used in con.
nection with the new station when it is completed.
The ancient man-of-war Wolverine, formerly the
Michigan, the Oldest iron vessel in the United States