USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 69
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U. S. S. "Southery."-This vessel was put out of commission December 18, 1898. In ad- dition to the removal of her battery, the only work done on her was such as was necessary for her care and maintenance.
On December 24. 1898, the Spanish gun- boats "Alvarado" and "Sandoval," captured at Guantanamo, Cuba, commanded by Lieuten- ants Victor Blue and Edward A. Anderson, ar- rived at the Navy Yard.
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U. S. S. "Sylvia."-This vessel was put out of commission September 16, 1898. She was docked, her bottom cleaned and painted and she was given such overhauling as was necessary to fit her for service with the Mary- land Naval Militia. This work was completed and she left the yard December 17. 1898.
U. S. S. "Terror."-This vessel arrived at the yard September 26, 1898, and was put out of commission February 25. 1899. Work was begun toward a thorough overhauling of this vessel preparatory to recommissioning. This work was not completed June 30. 1899.
U. S. S. "Viking."-This vessel arrived at the yard September 17. 1898. and was put out of commission September 21. 1898. Work was begun to fit her out as a gunboat for ser- vice in Central America. By the Department's orders this work was suspended from May 24. 1899. to June 25. 1899, when it was begun again. This work consisted of a general over- hauling and refitting. and was still in progress June 30. 1899.
U. S. S. "Wasp."-This vessel was put out of commission September 27. 1898. This ves- sel was docked, her bottom cleaned and painted and she was given such overhauling as was necessary to fit her for service with the Florida Naval Militia. This work was completed and she left the yard December 6, 1898.
The revenue cutters, "Hudson." "Mann- ing." "Morrill." "Windom," "Woodbury" and "Hamilton." and light-house tenders, "Ar- meria." "Maple" and "Suwanee," which have been fitted out at this yard for auxiliary naval service, returned here at the end of hostilities with Spain. Their batteries were removed and all other necessary work was done to re- store them, so far as practicable, to their orig- inal condition before being fitted for naval service.
During the year ending June 30, 1899. the Norfolk Navy Yard made repairs upon the following vessels in commission : "Aberenda." "Alexander." "Alliance," "Alice," "Annapo- lis." "Amphitrite." "Apache," "Badger.' "Brooklyn," "Calumet," "Caesar," "Cassius,"
"Cincinnati." "Columbia." "Dolphin." "Ea- gle." "Essex." "Fern," "Fish Hawk,"."Frank- lin," "Glacier," "Hannibal," "Hornet." "Jus- tin." "Katahdin." "Lebanon." "Leonidas," "McKee," "Massachusetts," "Massasoit," "Minneapolis," "Mohawk." "Monongahela," "Montgomery.'
"Newark." "Nashville," "New York." "Oregon." "Piscataqua." "Pom- pey." "Princeton." "Prairie." "Resolute," "Sandoval." "Scindia," "Sioux." "Siren,"
"Solace." "Southery." "Standish." "Sterling," "Stranger." "Sylph." "Talbot." Texas," "Te- cumsel" "Triton," "Vicksburg." "Vesuvius," "Viking," "Vixen," "Vulcan." "Wahneta," "Wasp." "Wilmington," "Yankee." "Yank- ton" and "Yosemite."
On December 1. 1898. Past Assistant En- gineer Kenneth McAlpine was presented with a handsome sword by his friends and admirers in recognition of his services on the "Texas" in the battle of Santiago.
The iron safe of the "Maria Teresa," the captured Spanish ship which was lost off Cat Island, was opened at the Navy Yard on De- cember 1. 1898. The coin found in it was dumped into five canvas bags of the size which hold $500 in silver. It was not counted but estimated to be about $2,000.
For the year ending June 30, 1900, work was done upon ships under construction or out of commission at the Norfolk Navy Yard, as follows :
U. S. S. "Alexander."-This vessel, which had arrived at the yard September 28. 1898, was fitted out as a collier to be manned by a merchant crew. This work consisted of a gen- eral overhauling and refitting, and was com- pleted August 4, 1899. In February, 1900, this vessel returned to the yard and was put out of commission. Her condition was ex- tremely filthy: she was fumigated, cleaned throughout, and put in ordinary. In compli- ance with orders received June 23, 1900, to refit the vessel as a collier. the work of general overhauling and refitting was begun at once.
U. S. S. "Annapolis."-This vessel arrived at the yard in August. 1899, and was put out
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of commission in September. 1899. A general survey of the vessel was ordered but was not completed, as the vessel was towed to Annapo- lis in October. 1899. On the return of the ves- sel to this yard in May, 1900, the survey was again taken up and completed May 28, 1900, and approved by the Bureau June 7, 1900. In compliance with this survey, a complete over- hauling of the vessel was begun, which was still in progress June 30, 1900.
U. S. S. "Dorothea."-A survey was held on this vessel July 25, 1899, and was approved August 8, 1899. The work under this survey consisted of a thorough overhauling and refit- ting as a gunboat and supplying outfit and sup- plies for general service. This work was com- pleted December 30, 1899, and the vessel was towed to League Island.
U. S. tug "Fortune."-The work of re- building the interior and refitting the vessel in general, which had been held back by frequent delays, was completed December 23. 1899. and the vessel left the yard.
U. S. S. "Frolic."-A survey was held on this vessel July 26, 1899. and approved August 9, 1899. The work done under this survey consisted of a complete overhauling and re- fitting as a gunboat for general service. The work on this vessel was practically completed at the end of the fiscal year except final paint- ing.
U. S. S. "Governor Russell."-The only work done on this vessel during the fiscal year was such as was necessary for her care and maintenance. The vessel was removed from the yard, having been sold by the government.
U. S. S. "Hannibal."-A survey was held on this vessel February 28. 1900, and was ap- proved with certain modifications, June 23. 1900. The work under this survey consists of fitting a new steel bulkhead in the coal bunk- ers, enlarging crew space and thorough gen- eral overhauling and refitting for service as a navy collier. On June 30, 1900, this work was still in progress.
U. S. S. "Hawk."-A survey was held July 26, 1899, and approved August 8. 1899. The
work under this survey consisted of a thorough overhauling and refitting as a gunboat for gen- eral service. On June 30, 1900, this work was still in progress.
U. S. S. "Hist."-This vessel arrived at the yard in September, 1899. In accordance with an approved survey held at Port Royal, South Carolina, August 22. 1899, a certain amount of miscellaneous minor repairs and overhauling was done on this vessel. An ad- ditional survey was held May 18, 1900, and was approved May 24, 1900. The work under this survey was to consist of a thorough over- hauling and entire refitting of the vessel as a gunboat. On June 30, 1900, this work was still in progress.
U. S. S. "Illinois."-The work on this ves- sel consisted in building boats, furniture, blocks and entire outfit, and was 40 per cent. completed at the end of the fiscal year.
U. S. S. "Kearsarge."-The work on this vessel consisted in building boats, furniture, blocks and entire outfit. This work was com- pleted.
U. S. S. "Kentucky."-The work on this vessel consisted in building furniture, blocks and entire outfit. The work was completed.
U. S. S. "Lebanon."-The only work done on this vessel was such as was necessary for care and maintenance.
U. S. S. "Newport."-The work of this vessel consisted of doing necessary work to en- able the Bureau of Equipment to install an electric-light plant, making minor changes in the storerooms of the vessel and building an additional ordnance storeroom. This work was completed April 7, 1900, and the vessel left this yard April 10, 1900.
U. S. S. "Oneida."-The work on her con- sisted in docking, cleaning and painting, and such additional work as was necessary for care and maintenance. She left the yard March 21, I900.
U. S. S. "Puritan."-A small amount of work was done preparatory to the vessel leaving this yard for Annapolis. This work consisted of docking, cleaning and painting
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bottom, overhauling steering gear. steam winches, operating rods for drainage system, turret-turning gear, turn-buckles on turret- aprons, water-closets, anchor gear, life-buoys, boat-booms, steam capstan and installing the secondary battery. This vessel left the yard November 18, 1899. for Annapolis. She re- turned to the yard June 29, 1900, and was docked and her bottom cleaned and painted. This vessel left the yard July 3. 1900.
U. S. S. "San Francisco."-A complete overhauling of the vessel was begun and was still in progress on June 30. 1900.
U. S. S. "Saturn."-Work was begun toward putting this vessel in thorough order as a collier, but was soon suspended on account of more urgent work. On May 1, 1900, work was resumed and on June 30, 1900, was 95 per cent. completed. The work in general con- sisted of a thorough scaling, cleaning, painting and overhauling and making and fitting new spars.
Torpedo boat "Stringham."-This vessel was docked at the Navy Yard for the removal of propellers and shafts. The expense of this work to be borne by the Harlan & Hollings- worth Company.
U. S. S. "Southery."-The only work done on this vessel was such as was necessary for her care and maintenance.
U. S. Army "Sumner" (formerly U. S. S. "Cassius") .- This vessel was transferred to the War Department September, 1899, and under orders from the Navy Department was converted into an army transport. The work in general consisted of practically rebuilding the vessel. All of the interior work on the vessel was torn out and she was thoroughly scaled. cleaned and painted. new wooden decks fitted, officers' and soldiers' quarters built com- plete, additional superstructure deck added, ex- tensive repairs made to framing double-bottom, lavatories and bathrooms for soldiers and offi- cers and crew fitted. cold-storage rooms fitted, etc. She left the yard in March. 1900.
U. S. S. "Viking."-The work of fitting this vessel out as a gunboat for service in Cen-
tral America, which was suspended from May 24, 1899. to June 25, 1899, was again taken in hand and was completed October 24, 1899. The work consisted of a general overhauling and refitting. In November, 1899, this vessel was transferred to the War Department and, under orders from the Bureau, the battery was re- moved. This vessel left the yard December 23, 1899.
U. S. S. "Wasp."-This vessel arrived at the yard in September, 1899. In compliance with a survey held at Port Royal, South Caro- lina, August 22, 1899, a certain amount of mis- cellaneous minor repairs and overhauling was done on this vessel. An additional survey was held May 18. 1900, and was approved May 25, 1900. The work under this survey was to consist of a thorough overhauling and en- tire refitting of the vessel as a gunboat. On June 30, 1900, this work was still in progress.
The following named vessels in commission were repaired at the Navy Yard: "Alice," Coal Barge No. I ( equipment ), "Caesar," "Es- sex." "Franklin," "Gloucester." "Gwin." "Marcellus." "Mohawk." "Nashville." "Nez- inscot." "Prairie." "Potomac." "Porter."
"Siren." "Sioux." "Scorpion." "Talbot," "Texas," "Triton." "Vixen" and "Wahneta."
The cruiser "Reina Mercedes." the only ship of any size which was saved from the wreck of the Spanish fleet at Santiago, was brought to the Navy Yard from lower quaran- tine May 27, 1899.
Her arrival had been timed for 12 o'clock. but it was 1:30 P. M. before she ship was made fast along the north dock.
She was given a tumultuous welcome as she came up the harbor. A wealth of flags and . bunting was flying from the escort of 22 tugs. Every craft tied down the whistle lever and there was a babel of siren notes. Grimes' Bat- tery and the Seaboard Air Line Band met the "Reina Mercedes" below Sewell's Point and joined the procession.
She was saluted by every passing steamer and acknowledged each greeting with a blast from her whistle. The vessel carried on her
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deck a small engine used for pumping out her bilges, and to this had been attached a whistle made out of 6-inch shells. She was towed up from Old Point by a tandem of three tugs.
Thousands of people lined the water-front on both sides of the harbor and did their best to make themselves heard above the din of the siren whistles; a waving forest of hats, um- brellas and handkerchiefs told that the crowds were cheering.
The "Reina Mercedes" had a great amount of woodwork on her, but while this exposed her to imminent danger of fire from American shells, it is noteworthy that she was the only one of the Spanish vessels which was not set on fire. The ship was grievously mangled by the shots which ploughed their way through her.
One of these shots, said to have been a 12-inch from the "Texas" struck the "Mer- cedes" on the starboard quarter, just behind the forward sponson on the main deck and burst when about three feet inside the ship. The force of the explosion was probably upwards, for the floor of the gun deck was torn entirely away for a considerable distance. The course of the shot was obliquely across the main-deck, the fragments of the shells evidently having scattered. The mainmast was almost cut in two. The dynamo was demolished completely and everything within a wide radius seemed to have been perforated. Another shot carried away the corner of the bridge, killing the ex- ecutive officer of the ship and 10 seaman. Still another shot crashed through the main-deck, and innumerable punctures of her small pipes, ventilators, etc., showed the work of the small calibre guns.
The "Mercedes" had eight torpedeos aboard of her and two Hontori 5-inch guns, one of which was jammed with a solid shot.
The vessel was used as a transport in the early days of the Spanish-American War and this fact accounts for her slendor armament. She was caught in Santiago by the United States blockading fleet. She was fired upon by the "Texas" and "Massachusetts" upon
showing herself at the mouth of the harbor on one occasion and sustained a very severe hand- ling.
The "Mercedes" did not attempt to leave the harbor with Cervera's fleet on July 2nd, and was sunk by the Spanish themselves to pre- vent the American ships from entering the harbor. She was afterward raised by a wreck- ing company and brought into Hampton Roads on May 21st, thence to the Navy Yard for the sum of $75,000. She was put in the Simp- son dry dock and had her bottom cleaned and after remaining for almost 18 months at this yard she left in tow of two naval tugs for the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) yard on the 24th of August, 1900.
The work at the Norfolk Navy Yard upon ships, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901, was as follows :
U. S. S. "Illinois."-In this year all of the work of building boats, furniture, blocks and entire outfit, was completed and the articles shipped to the works of the contractors.
U. S. S. "Virginia."-The work of build- ing an outfit of boats for this vessel was com- menced.
U. S. S. "Ajax."-This vessel arrived at the Navy Yard March I, 1901 ; was put out of commission March 16, 1901,and necessary steps taken for her proper care and preservation. Under date of March 14, 1901, the Bureau di- rected that necessary repairs be proceeded with to put the vessel in efficient condition for ser- vice, and ordered a general survey, which was held and approved April 1, 1901. The work consists of general overhauling and refitting.
U. S. S. "Alexander."-The work of re- fitting this vessel as a collier was completed and the vessel left the yard August 10, 1900. She returned to the yard March 7, 1901 and a few repairs were made to enable her to make another trip to Manila and return.
U. S. S. "Annapolis."-The general over- hauling of the vessel, undertaken in the pre- vious year, was completed. The vessel went into commission November 14, 1900, and left the yard December 6, 1900.
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U. S. S. "Apache."-On May 31, 1900, a general survey was held on this vessel and nec- essary repairs to put her in efficient service were recommended. On July 23, 1900, the survey was approved with certain modifications, and the repairs were ordered to be made at the New York Navy Yard. The vessel left the yard August 3, 1900, for New York.
Ferry launch No. 291 .- At the beginning of the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1901, this launch was about one-tenth completed. Dur- ing the year the work was carried on to com- pletion, the launch placed in dry dock and her bottom sheathed with copper. All work was completed February 20, 1901, and the launch was placed in service April 1, 1901.
U. S. S. "Frolic."-On October 23, 1900, the Bureau directed that all repairs under it be made to fit the vessel for foreign service. Cer- tain additions and alterations were recom- mended by the Board of Inspection and Survey and were approved. This work, and other minor work incidental to commissioning, was undertaken at once and was completed. The vessel left the yard December 28, 1900.
Steamer "Hamilton."-This is a private vessel, which was damaged in collision with the U. S. tug "Wahneta." This work was completed June 29. 1901.
U. S. S. "Hannibal."-The work under the survey of February 28, 1900, consisted of fitting a new steel bulkhead in the coal bunk- ers, enlarging crew space and thorough gen- eral overhauling and refitting for service as a navy collier. This work was commenced dur- ing the latter part of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900, and was completed during Sep- tember, 1900. The vessel left the yard Novem- ber 6, 1900.
U. S. S. "Hawk."-Under date of June 27, 1900, the Department indicated its intention of loaning this vessel to the Ohio Naval Militia and directed completion of repairs at least pos- sible cost. On July 11, 1900, the Bureau di- rected the fitting of the after berth-deck space for use of additional officers. This work was completed. the vessel docked. bottom cleaned
and painted and left the yard September 6, I 900.
U. S. S. "Hist."-The work under the sur- vey, approved May 24, 1900, was commenced during the fiscal year ending the following June, but very little was done. The work in general consisted of a complete overhauling and refitting the vessel as a gunboat. All of this work was completed May 4, 1901, and the vessel left the yard May 8, 1901.
U. S. S. "Lebanon." -- This vessel has been in ordinary since the beginning of the fiscal year. Necessary work has been done for her care and preservation. A survey was held on this vessel November 19, 1900, to determine what was necessary to put the vessel in effi- cient condition for service as a collier. This survey was approved December 8, 1900: but on account of more urgent work only a few items of repairs were undertaken and none has been completed.
U. S. S. "San Francisco." -- A complete overhauling of the vessel was begun, in com- pliance with the Bureau's order of May 23, 1899, and is now in progress and about six- tenths completed. It is estimated that this ves- sel will be ready for commission about January 1, 1902.
U. S. S. "Saturn."-The work of putting the vessel in thorough order as a collier was completed and the vessel left the yard August 5, 1900.
U. S. S. "Siren."-This vessel arrived at the yard April 11, 1901, and necessary steps were taken for her proper care and preserva- tion. On May 20. 1901. the Bureau directed that necessary repairs be made to this vessel to fit her for service in training landsmen attached to the receiving-ship "Franklin."
U. S. S. "Southery."-This vessel was in ordinary at the beginning of the fiscal year, and necessary work was done for her proper care and preservation. Under date of August 30, 1900, the Bureau directed that all work on this vessel under its cognizance. which might be necessary to put the vessel in proper condition for service, to be done. Under this authority
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the vessel was given a thorough overhauling and refitting. This work was completed, the vessel laid up in ordinary, and only such work done as was necessary for care and
preservation. On June 14, 1901, the Department assigned this vessel for 11se in confining prisoners, commanding offi- cer of the "Franklin" in charge, and upon his request and the commandant's ap- proval thereof, minor changes, alterations and improvements were made, as follows: Fit iron bars across air ports, cut door-opening in bulk- head in crew spaces forward, fit fresh-water pipe from scuttle-butt to prison space, etc. This vessel is now in the service to which she has been assigned.
U. S. S. "Terror."-This vessel was un- dergoing extensive repairs and alterations un- der authority of survey, approved December 9, 1898, and authority of the Bureau of Con- struction and Repair as to certain items found necessary and desirable subsequent to holding this survey ; but the majority of this work was practically suspended during the fiscal year on account of more urgent work. The most im- portant item of work was the overhauling of the air compressors and this is about completed. The work under this survey is about eight- tenths completed. Upon recommendation of the naval constructor, the Bureau, under date of June 14, 1900, ordered a survey to be held on this vessel to ascertain and report what ad- ditional work was necessary to put the vessel in condition for service.
U. S. S. "Texas."-Extensive repairs have been ordered on this vessel, under survey held March 21, 1901, and approved by the Bureau of Construction and Repair March 27, 1901 ; but no work has yet been done, except such as is necessary for her proper care and preserva- tion.
U. S. S. "Wasp."-The work on this ves- sel, under the survey, approved May 25, 1900, commenced at the end of the last fiscal year, but, owing to more urgent work, little progress was made. The work was taken actively in
hand in May and on June 30, 1901, the work was nearly completed.
U. S. tug "Alice."-Necessary work was done on this tug during the year to keep her in proper condition for yard service.
U. S. S. "Alliance."-While at Hampton Roads, May 31, 1901, overhauling and repairs were requested on truss of main-yard. This work was authorized by the commandant June 3, 1901, and was completed June 8, 1901.
. U. S. S. "Alvarado."-This vessel arrived at the yard June 25, 1901, for the purpose of docking and cleaning and painting bottom, and this work was completed. By authority of the commandant of June 27, 1901, the work of securing forward whaleboat-davit was begun and under authority of the Bureau of June 27, 1901, the painting of hull and all work exposed to the weather was soon in progress, and about six-tenths completed.
U. S. S. "Amphitrite."-This vessel ar- rived at the yard May 12, 1901. The work consisted principally of repairs to turret ma- chinery, loading grating, turret clip circles and bulkheads, fitting jackstays for side-curtains, covering flying-deck with canvas, repairs to berth-deck and mounting two Maxim guns. All this work was completed and the vessel left the yard May 31, 1901.
U. S. S. "Cæsar."-This vessel arrived at the yard February 21, 1901, to have necessary repairs made, and to be fitted out for service with a merchant crew. As the services of the vessel were urgently needed by the Department only such repairs were authorized as were nec- essary for the safety and efficiency of the ship and that could be be done in 25 working days, and a survey was ordered covering this work. The survey was duly held and approved March 26, 1901. This vessel left the yard May 22, 190I.
U. S. S. "Chesapeake."-This vessel ar- rived at the yard February 17, 1901, for re- pairs, alterations, etc. On February 7, 1901, the Bureau requested a report from the naval constructor as to the estimated time and cost
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to do the work required to put the vessel in efficient condition for service. On March 2, 1901, the report was approved. the work or- dered and survey ordered to be held to cover the same. This work was completed and the vessel left the yard April 12, 1901.
U. S. torpedo boat "Cushing."-This ves- sel arrived at the yard February 9, 1901, and was ordered placed in condition for service by June 1, 1901. The vessel was docked and the bottom cleaned and painted. Miscellaneous minor repairs were made from time to time as requested by the commanding officer. All this work was completed. The vessel is still at the vard.
U. S. S. "Dixie."-This vessel arrived at the yard March 14, 1901, for the purpose of docking, cleaning and painting bottom and such repairs to her bottom plating as necessary, all of which was completed. The vessel left the yard April 22, 1901.
U. S. S. torpedo boat "Dupont."-This vessel arrived at the yard March 14, 1901, and was ordered placed in condition for service by June 1. 1901. All work was completed except fitting filling pipe to fresh-water tank, and this will be completed July 6, 1901. The vessel is still at the yard.
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