Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-18

Ocasn n good Nam.
We find in the Southern (Ga.) Banner the
subjoined touching notice Of the death Of the
venerable John A. Cobb, father of the Hon.
Howell Cobb, of the House of Representa-
tives
OBITUARY.--Died, in Athens, on Wednesday,
November Il, 1885, COL JOHN A. COBB, in the
I'D year of his age.
Fulsom adpation in obituary notices has
become SO common that we almost shrink
from recording the virtues of our friends lest
we tax the credulity of readers. To those who
knew the deceased, the following summary of
his character will not be deemed overdrawn:
He was gentleman. Though not bred in
palaces or parlors, neither palaces nor parlors
could teach him poiteness On his death bed
this striking trait in his character was exhibit.
ed on several occasions. seH
He was a patriot. Though devotedly at
tached to his political party, he was more de-
voted to his country; and, on two occasions
during his life, he changed his immediate
party associations when the Government of his
country he believed to be in jeopardy.
He was a good citizen. His public spirit, in
the days Of his manhood and prosperity, will be
attested by those who were then associated with
him.
He was q kind neighbor-a firm friend. His
benevolence knew no limit but that of his
purse; his friendship no end but that of his
life. The rich who dealt with him acknowl.
edge his literally; the poor bear grateful re-
collections of his kindness, his forbearance,
and his justice. His charity extended to every
fault Of every erring man. No word of harsh
ness severe criticism ever passed his lips, and
he rebuked such indulgence in his children
and friends.
AS husband and a father, his only foible
was excess of tenderness and yielding love.
AS a master, mercy and justice ruled his life.
He was, more than all, Christian-an hum
BILE, unobtrusive, devoted Christian. For many
years before his death, his chief delight was in
religious services and in the conversation of
pious friends Though constitutionally fearful
Of the struggle at the dissolution, yet Christian
grace enabled him to conquer the last enemy,
and to welcome him as friend. For weeks
he looked death in the face, and his eye never
quailed, nor was his faith shaken.
be- A correspondent Of the Richmond Dis
patch, writing from Norfolk under date of the
18th December, says:
"There is q great deal of activity in the
navy yard at present. From fourteen to if
teen hundred pairs of hands are daily plying
their tools either in the construction and re-
pairs Of ships, or in the proper equipment and
repair of the yard as a dock and naval depot.
To keep this work going on vigorously and
spiritedly, the Government has to pay out in
gold and silver about fifty thousand dollars per
month, which affords some relief to the com.
mercial stupor in which the fever left the two
places.
As naval affairs wear some degree of interest
to all classes of readers, it may not prove tedi-
GUS to yours, to enumerate the number and
condition Of the ships at this, the Gosport
yard.
The Pennsylvania ship of the line is in com
mission again as the receiving flag ship of the
station. Pending the fever, the stately craft,
the ST. Lawrence, was receiving ship. She lies
off in the stream now, awaiting the disposition
of the Department.
The Colorado and the Roanoke are still on
the stocks, monuments in strength and beauty,
to the constructive skill of Constructor Samuel
Hart The Roanoke will be launched to-mor-
row, which will be quite gala day in the yard
aud in the town. After the launch the remaining
portion of the day is given as holiday to the
employees who enjoy it to their hearts con-
tent, over turkey roasts and bivalves in every
style, washed down with liquid which is con-
traband of peace in Maine. The Colorado will
be ready for a launch before a great while. |
These two mammoths of the deep are two of
the six propelers authorized by Congress to
be built
The Plymouth, after undergoing thorough re-
pairs to hull and decks, has been foated out of
the dock, and is ready for her masts = and
market"
The Portsmouth has succeeded her in the
dock, and will be extensively overhauled and
repaired.
The Princeton has been ordered to repairs.
She is the most piratical looking craft in the
whole navy and associated with the dreadful
tragedy of the "peacemaker," very suggestive
of the "fying Dutchman" or any other Inflated
ship
The Rartan, noble specimen of naval ar
chitecture, is repaired and could be got ready
for a cruise in short time.
The Marion is dismantled and lying along |
side one of the wharfs. Her future is quite un- |
dermined.
The "Old States" as she is called, once the
handsomest vessel that carried gun, lies off
in the stream, the headquarters of the gallant
Lieutenant Murphy, Of the Ordnance Depart
ment
The Columbia lies dismantled of Craney
Island.
The Columbus and the Delaware, two old
"74s," lie where they have lain long time,
near the mouth Of the dry-dock, their huge
black hulls looming up like floating fortresses.
The brig Perry is lying up, and the New
York, seventy-four gun ship, commenced
many years ago, is still the silent and solitary
occupant of shiphouse A.
Hunted by an Assassin.
According to a correspondent of the Lynch
hnr q