New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-14
MARINE AFFAIRS.

TRIAL TRIP or THE U. s. STEAMER hERRlMAcE.
Tho new war-steamer Merrimack will make trial
trip from Boston this week, and will put into New
York or Baltimore, as circumstances may require.
THE FERRIS OF WHALING.
The bark H. l.. Barstow of Mattapoisett, Mass
whaer, was cruising off the coast of Brazil, and on
the I4h of December d school of whales fallen in
with. At l2 c'cock the mate, David Dexter and five
olhers manned boat and struck large sperm
whale They gave him all the line, and het took it and
more too for ho away with the boat and crew, an
when the excitement Of the chase somewhat over,
the bark not in sight TWAS now about o'clock,
and the mate hauling in what line he could cut and
commenced searching for tho ship He continued the
search that night and the next day, but seeing nothing
Of her. and having only little bread to cat, he shaped
his Or the coast of Brazil, which he reached on
the morning of the Eth Early on the morning Of the
Esd Mr. Dexter came into the hsr6or of Rio Janeico,
and found shelter on board of the United States fgate
Savannah Meanwhile the bark cruised after the mis-
sing boat four days. and finding signs of her, gave
her up for lost So important part of the ships com
pany being gone Capt Luce decided to give up the
cruise and on the 25th inst. into this harbOr.
His surprise at the appearance Of Mr.. Dexter and the
boats crew all safe and sound hardly be conceived
it was Ike life from the grave.
So fat a. New-Yolk is concerned observe that
our sugece.ons in reference to pettionng Congress
for steamer to relieve vessels in distress are being
acted upon. TIC Commercial Advertiser OF ast even
ing says:
1.-The Board of Underwriters and large number
of merchants and shipownorS have prepared memo
rial TO Congress and TO the Secretary OF the Treasury
which we learn will be forwarded this evening, asking
that the Government will purchase suitable steamer,
possessing adequate speed and strength, to be en-
ployed IN supplying aid TO distressed vessels on the
coast or in the vicinity during such severe weather as
the present. The memorial speaks OF the steam-tug
Leviathan a. one that is suitable and on be obtained
at reasonable price, ready equipped for the service
We cannot doubt that Congress will grant the prayer
of the memorial. There are, we believe at the pres
ent time. about 80 vessels over DUE many OF them
heavily freighted with living csrgocs Such meas
rs that suggested by the memorialists should be
promptly taken
Some Of the above vessels sailed early as the lat.
ter part Of last November and not few of them have
been out over seventy days. There good reason for
believing that large feet of passenger slips from
LIVERPOOL is TO the westward of the Banks, unable
to got in from head winds The destitute condition OF
tie people on board must BE- truly deploraoie
The BARK PRlSTIS.
The bark Prists, of New-York which was aband-
oned at sea by the captain and crew on on the 10th OF
January, and reported to be in sinking condition.
was fallen in with by Capt. Podger, OF the schooner
Samuel Bolton on the 29th ult., in at $40 i5, lon
12o e. The Prists had her matches of, and she was
floating upon the water apparently perfectly tight
Capt Podger says that he could not board her on
sccount OF the dreadful stencil coming up the hatch
way, aud he len her upon the ocean.
TIE NAVY YARD.
The ssesm.ftigae Mississippi is about to be fitted
up for sea after lying dismantlcd in the WaAabOut
since last Summer. An order was received some
weeks AGO 10 have her thoroughly overhsued and re-
paired AZ soon as the weather moderates or the ice
breaks up in the river the steamer will be hauled up
TO the dock aua ne work will be commenced his
VII give work to about three hundred shp-carpenters
csulkeU, spar-mskers, joines and laborers. She Is
seo 70 have new boilers, and her machinery VIII be
.sSsa out Tor repairs This branch Of business, when
'e Tie Yard, will also give employment TO
uOn'ees Of men. The storeship Relief Is loading
NtPse' Tor the American squadron on the Brazil
'N'n, her officers aud crew have already reported
:" iOt duty. Lieut.. James w. Cooke has
a&1gneo 70 her command, and she viii probably
.Au iron the Navy YsrdOa the Goth inst Those hsv
os hieods on that station can Communicate with them
@i. vssse Letters should be directed to the
LYeeun. The Arctic bark Release is still in