Commandant Thomas Dornin Letter 19 May 1858
Commandants Office
Navy Yard Gosport
May 19th 1858
Sir,
Your letter of the 17th inst. is received The piles referred to as not having been properly secured were received at a time when the labor force had been reduced and those in the Yard were required for more urgent works. The recent discharge of all labor, just at the time that it was contemplated, to have secured them, is the cause of the present difficulty. An estimate of the cost as requested by your letter will be forwarded tomorrow.
The bureaus order, to discharge all employees, in the Civil Engineer Department, except such as our engaged and preparing the “Machine Shop”,” Foundry” & “Boiler House” for the work on the “Richmond” has been complied with, although in your letter you only specify the “Machine Shop” presuming that you refer to the works, in connection with that establishment.
I beg to call the Bureau's attention to the balance exhibited in favor of the “Magazine Appropriation” under the item of “Ordinance Building” and ask if this work cannot progress? I have discharged all workmen engaged on that building as there is no head the Engineer Department in absence of the Civil Engineer who has not yet returned. The schedules ordered to be prepared by 15th June next in the “Circular” of 23rd April last is now in the hands of the Draftsman of the Engineers Office who is the proper person to compile it. I would therefore suggest that I have authority to reinstate him to go on with its compilation and to charge his labor to the “Magazine” as much of the schedule will be under that head.
Until further orders, I presume that I am authorized to receive material for the Yard, under contract, when presented for delivery.
In regard to the Superintendent of the “Quay Wall” and “Hospital Surgeons Dwelling”; am I authorized to retain him and charge his pay to the “Hospital”? Appropriation?
Very Respectfully,
your obedient servant,
Thomas A. Dornin
Commandant
Commodore Joseph Smith
Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks
Washington D. C.
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Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks
Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk
Jan 1 1858 - March 31 1859
Box No. 159A, Entry 5