The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-25
The Cruise OF the United states Steam
Frigate Mississippi.


This ship was commissioned in May, 1919. She
sailed from Norfolk, Va the 7th Of Juno follow
ing, for the Mediterranean, bearing the broad pen
daut of Commodore Charles w. Morgan, who has
commanded squadron in that sea since that
time The Mississippi has performed highly sue.
cessful cruise. She has been absent from the
United States two years and Eve months, 1t being
a much longer cruise than any of our naval steam
ers have before made During this time she has
met with accident which has caused delay in the
prompt performance of tn, duties assigned to her,
many of which have been important On her ar
rival in the Mediterranean, in l6i9 she proceeded
directly to visit the most important ports on the
coasts of France and Italy which frequented by
our commerce. She then proceeded to Tunis, at
which place some Misunderstanding existed with
the Bey of Tunis adj listed all difficulties and friend
ly relations were restored. She then revisited
France and Italy. At Naples, Commodore Morgan
transferred his flag to the razee Independence, and
the Mississippi proceeded on cruise in the Adria-
tic Sea- After visiting many ports, she returned to
the coast of Italy, where she spent q part of the
winter. In the following February she conveyed
the Hon George p Marsh, Minister TO Constanti-
nople, from Naples to his destination. Soon after
her return to Naples, in company with the dag
ship she went to Lisbon, having the frigate INDIE
pendence in tow large portion of the dis
lance to the latter place, and back to Naples
cruise on the coasts Of Italy and Sicily, and
went into winter quarters at Naples, where several
ment to distinguished citizens and American ira vel
lers in that city The present year she commenced
cruising in the early part Of the spring. visiting
France and Sicily, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Tangisr,
then proceeded to Marselles, and conveyed John
Howard Paine, ESQ.,, from thence to his post, at
Tunis She then went to Trieste, where she joined
the flagship. AT this place she received on board
ha kiny md nuaa ~ Sov xuth dvah hon N
their rank. From thence the commander-in-
chief embarked fom the Independents, and the
Mississippi sailed for Spezzia five days after the de-
parture Of the former and arrived at the latter place
eight days before her. From this place, after she
was rejoned by the flagship, she AS despatched on
the important DUTY which brought her home. She
proceeded to Constantinople and after ascertainng
that M. kossuth and his exiled companions had &C
cepted the offer Of our government to convey them
to America, she was, in eight days. fitted With ac-
comm odations for this purpose in manner which
rendered the ilustrious guest and his associates
| comfortable for the long passage.
Thus are our steam frigates available for all pur'
| poees for which they may be required. Had she
not been ordered BY the government to perform
home for some months hence Her machinery is
now, after this long cruise, in good working condl-
ton, and able to perform more duty before extern
sive repairs will be required. During her absen,e
fiom the United States, her engines have not cost
the government three hundred dollars for repairs.
She has been the theme of admiraton in all the ports
she has visited Tor her good order and the correct dis
cipline Of her crew. which reflect high honor upon
| her gentlemany commander, Capt. John g Long,
and his efficient officers. The Mississippi has
visited most of the ports in the Mediterranean and
several Of them many times In all she has been
well received and left Impressions which have done
| honor to our flag, and credit to her commander
| The officers and men have enjoyed uninterrupted
good health; only two have died from sickness, and
/ one by an accident not connected with the ship.
Such have been the examp Plies Of sobrety that less
than ten OF her men have drank their grog. Hence
| there has been no necessity for severe mode oil
punishment; general good order prevailed in eonse
| quence Of temperance.
The cruise Of this ship has fully dem onstrated the
fact that steamers for naval purposes, are far more
| economical and efficient than sailing ships they
can perform, this ship has done moro than thre'
times the duty in the same time, and costing th'
government less. even, to perform this much NOR
| service,
Great praise Is due to the Chief Engineer Mr. Jess
| Gay, for the good order in which the VI achnery ha
been kept, and for the ence Of an a,ciden
Of any kind during so long period, which is yer.
singular and very unusual circumstance.