The Virginia enterprise., 1909-07-02
4 TRAINING CRAFT

ravine boisterous stream of water, which is
pretty we'll swollen of the but which is
nearly dry during the summer
At the bottom of the ravne one would have hard
time to imagine himself in the center of large gov
ernment institution But following it toward the lake,
you brought to the point where the ship basin
begins sort of landlocked harbor has been dug
in which several goodszed gunboats could be sheltered
safety during the storms 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 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 so feet above the stream of water which
connects with road running directly into the center
of the reservation The high bluffs side of the
basin give stately effect to the general view of
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 admnstra
on building handsome structure built pressed brick
In the center is high tower with windows various
stages At side of the administration building are
three smaller buildings, which will probably be used
officers or instructors dwellings.
The main instruction buildings, lecture halls and
dormories for the regular members of the institution
are In close proximity to the administration building
The larger of these have been completed and are pac
ticay ready for occupancy would be possible for the
institution to be opened this fall great the prog
been made it, but it is likely that the formal
opening will not take place until July 1910 when Rear
Admiral Albert E. Ross who been in charge of the
construction since its INCEPTION will completed
1t is planned to for between 1000 and 5000
recruits for the at the training station and
many than this number could be care of in
an emergency. Several thousand wedried sailors can
be turned out each and the result will be greatly
increased efficiency among the rank and file composing
TIE United States navy.
Bids were recently opened in Washington for new
work the Naval institute which will aggregate half
million dollars James Corse of Racine was awarded tho
contract for the of the houses which
include commandants house for $4,000 and six Junior
officers houses at $78000.
The principal work of the coming year. however will
be on the medical department buildings which will in
volve expenditure Of $313000 and will be tho an+ ~
their kind in the west They include hospital Which
will cost 4O00 senior medical officers house s24 ooS
Junior medical officers houses ooo and hosnita %
dry $4,000. The Noel Construction Company NJ P1+;
more was awarded this last important contract '
Before the station is completed the gunboa+ N.h,,
will have arrived In Chicago which will be nti,;.ad M
training vessel by the Illinois naval militia (raot 49, 40
arations are being made for the reception Of tho Nasb
ve Out IL is hkely tnat the vessel used in con-
.. The ancient manof-war Wolverine, formerly tho
Mtchtgan the Oldest iron vessel in the 11u;+a inc