St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-07-10
a TRAINING CRAFT

ravfne runs boisterous stream of water, which is
pretty well swollen the spring the year. but which
nearly dry during the summer.
At the bottom of the rayine would have hard
time to imagine himself in the center of large gov
eminent institution But following it the lake.
you are brought to the point where the ship basin
begins sort Of landlocked harbor been dug out
in which several goodsized gunboats could be sheltered
in safety during the worst storms the lake large and
Wellequipped boathouse has been built at the point
where the basin connects with Lake Michigan and
there 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
ravne about 50 feet above the stream of water which
connects with road running directly the center
OF the reservation The high bluffs side of the
basin give stately effect the general view of the
reservation from lake. At the ton of the highest
bluff overlooking the lake and commanding the widest
view OF the entire surrounding country the adminstra
ton building handsome structure of pressed brick
In the center is 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
dorm1tores for the regular members the institution
are in close proximity the administration building
The larger Of these have been completed prac
caly ready for occupancy 1t possible for the
institution to be this fall so great has the
ress been made upon it, but is likely that the formal
opening will not take place until July 1870 when Rear
Admiral Albert E. Ross who has been in charge of the
construction since its inception says will be completed
1t is planned to care for between 1000 and 5000
recruits Ior the navy at the training station
many more than this number could taken care of in
an emergency Several thousand weldrled sailors can
be turned out each year. and the will be greatly
increased efficiency among the rank file composing
the United States navy
Bids were recently opened in Washington for new
work on the Naval institute which will aggregate half
million dollars James Corse of Racine was awarded the
contract for the construction of the officers houses which
include commandments house for $4,000 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 $313000 and the finest of
their kind in the west They include hospital which
VIII cost S2S400O; senior medical officers house. s24 OO0
junior medical officers houses $38 and hospital aun
dry, $4,000 The Noel Construction Company of Ralt
more was awarded this last important contract
Before the station is completed gunboat Nashville
VIII nave arrived in Chicago, which will be utilized as
training vessel by the Illinois naval militia Great Dran
aratons are being made for the reception of the Nash
Vile but it is likely that the vessel may be used in con-
nectlon with the new station when it is completed
The ancient man-ofwar Wolverine formerly the
Michigan the Oldest iron vessel the United States