Year: 1876

[From the St. Louis Republican,


For several years past the iron-cads Comanche and
Monadnock have been laid up at Mare Island Navy
Yard In the spring OF 1874 survey Of the vessels
was held and both pronounced totally unfit for any
kind of service the iron plates being rusIed out rvcts
and bolts loose and woodwork rotten. The result Of
the survey was in accordance with rules, forwarded to
the Navy Department at Washington. As there are at
Mare Island extensive workshops erected at govern
expense expressly for the repair of ships Of
the Pacific station, II supposed, of course,
that If the condemned vessels were TO be fitted for sea
at all the work would be done at the Navy Yard-thus
utilizing the conveniences already provided at
cost and saving money thereby But in June.
1874 Mr. Phneas Burgess arrived from the East and ex
hibited his credentials contractor to repair the Co.
manche If the Navy Department deemed 1t best to let
out the job IT is very strange to the least that there
were advertisements for proposals The California
mechanics would have been glad to have put in BIDS
but allowed chance to do so. Mr. Burgess had
arranged it all at the other end Of the line. This
rangement far can now be ascertained was that
the ring which Burgess represented should receive the
round sum of $3.50 900 doing all that necessary
to be done TO the Comanche. Experts who have
carefully examined her she was turned to
the government say that $685. 900 would pay for the
work and leave handsome margin of profit. AS soon
as this vessel completed Burgess commenced prep
arations for repairing or rather building over the
Monadnock. But by this time the newspapers had
begun to investigate the matter, and sharply
criticised Secretary R0DeS0n Tor giving out
government work in illegal manner. To stop
this cri icsm and throw dust IN the eyes OF
the public advertisement inviting bids for
labor emily inserted in ono city and one coun-
try paper but as the Commandant of the Navy Yard
had been provided with no plans and specifications
neither he the Naval Constructor could give any in
formation whatever, and SO only two or three bids
sent in, and some OF these were unquestonably
mere blinds got up by the ring AT any rate when the
bids were opened 1t found that Burgess had dis
tanced his competitors by $50 000 getting the contract
at $3.50 600 The other bidders instead of being dis
appointed their failure seemed highly delighted
that it requires large amount Of faith in human ma
ture believe they not in alliance with Burgess
Although the proposals for "repairng' the
Monadnock, the ship actually been reconstructed
will be, If she is ever finished The $250000
only a beginning OF the outlay. Persons
competent to Judge say that at least 200 900 will be
expended before ready for service, although the
turrets OF the old vessel Will be put in the All,
or nearly of the material used is being taken from the
Atlantic coast; yet 1t is fair to presume 1t could be
had much cheaper and certainly much more conven-
ienty California But then the ring is located at
the East and not at the West The Mohican, wooden
ship is undergoing the same process. SO little
left OF her when the work began that she Is said
TO have been commenced on knothole" This Is
the way the law is evaded which provides that ship
OF war shall built except by act Of Congress In
the last report of the Navy Department the Mohican
is said be ready for launching but the truth is that
she is nowhere near ready, and six months steady
work will be required to t her for IL s signih
cant fact that Mr. Secor, member Of the celebrated
acting chief bookkeeper and general of the
Monadnock .Robeson and the Secors old
quanances and the country has paid literally for the
mountaineering.