The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-06-13


spacious apartment, comprising the whole
width Of the ship, and handsomely furnished.
Numbers Of the crew were scattered over this
deck amusing themselves with various games
playing with the animals practicing mischief
on each other, in perfect good humor, and
talking with all the voIubility Of Frenchmen.
On the next deck below, or main deck, are
the hawse holes, through which the cables run
the bits, around which they are secured,-
the capstan-the pumps, and AN engine for
throwing water about the ship, in case Of fire
and for other purposes. AT the stern, on each
quarter, is state room, which are appropriated
to the use OF the Princes officers, now absent
with him. Swords, pistols, muskets and other
weapons, are arranged about the stern in fanci-
/ fu devices. On this deck and on the one above
the seanen mess and sleep, their bammocks
being suspended from the beams above at night,
and carried on deck and slowed in the nettings
| in the day.
On the next deck, five feet below the water
line, at the bow, are the state rooms and cabin
of the petty officers, and astern and along each
quarter are numerous state rooms for the Lieu
tenants, Midshipmen, and other officers. Ar
ranged in cases are soldiers equipments for the
whole crew--the knapsacks containing clothing
and all ready for active service. A large iron
oven for baking, and the amorer's forge, are
on this deck.
Next below is what we call the orlop deck.
In the Hercules this is divided into compart-
mens, in which the stores Of various kinds are
kept There are the bread ms,-spirIt-
rooms, powder magazines, cable tiers, sails and
cordage. In the bow is compartment where
various small stores are kept, such as nails,
glass, clothing, &C., this has been decorated
| by the sailors in fanciful manner, by driving
nails into the wood work, forming anchors,
chains, stars, Names labels for the lockers, and
various other Designs which has "A very pretty
effect. This is is the fifth and lowest deck in
the ship, and is twelve feet below the water line.
Under this is the hold in which are the water
tanks, and various stores.
Having now given minute, though we are
afraid, not very ineligible description Of the
internal arrangement of the ship, wowll re-as-
cend to the spar or upper deck, and make few
observations on her armament, and the descrip-
ton and appearance Of the crew.
The guns are decidedly superior in point of
finish to any that we have seen, and are so
pronounced by Others they and their carriages
are entirely covered with coating of some COM
position which is as black as ebony, and bear
ing handsome polish. On her spar deck she
has 80 h. carronades and long 32's on her gun
and main decks, except four guns on the latter
which throw 30 lb shot, or shell. which stick
ing into any part of ship causes dreadful hav-
oc when it cxplodes--overturning masts-
knocking two ports into one, or, if near the wa
ter line, making chasm which causes the ship
to sink Immediately. All her guns are provi-
ded with percussion locks and are fired in that
way. She has ports for l02 guns, but short of
that number are now mounted.
She has crew, as we are informed, of 920
men, besides officers, all of whom are divided
into companies under regular officers and are
drilled in the duties of soldier; and as there
are no regular marines on board they perform
picked crew, of fine, active young men; much
superior, we are told, TO the usual crew of a
man-oi-war The discipline appears to be very
lax, the men being allowed to fence, wrestle and
game on the open decks, while their gabble re-
sounds through the ship, and is heard at dis
lance from her, sounding to us Yankees like a
perfect Babel, and aflording a strong contras,
, with our ideas of Naval discipline. Such Ii.
ccnsc with such seamcn as are in ours, or tn,
British Navy, could not be tolerated, but French
men, we believe are not so vicious; at any rate
we saw no manifestations of i'll will among tn,
men, although some hard knocks were occa
sionally exchanged while fencing, but the con
quered always dropped his foil, when hit in TO
ken OF submission, and the game was then re
ncwcd. -Four men were confined in irons 70
some misconduct---but what we know not
We doubt not that on board one of our ships
with the same number OF men, there woul,
have been a much larger number in the brig.
The men appear more familiar with their off
, GERS, and there is much less etiquette observe,
4 on board than we expected; and the sacrc,
precincts of the poop deck, are invaded with i'm
punity, both by scamcn and visitors. None o
the officers talk much English, and only two o.
three men other crew, but they arc aflablc ant
polite to all visitors, especially to ladies.
T The Band is composed Of over thirty musi
cal instruments, the performers on which are
nearly all selected from the crew, only two OF
three being proiessed musicians; but they are
called good performers by those who are Judge.
of the art.
We Yankees, VIC are informed, are more ia.
vored than the people Of other countries which
the ship has visited, in being allowed to go on
hnnrd ,rithn.,t ,,,.t....I,. ........-... l.