The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-03-26

tle UCspolJ Navy Lara: anu the HrSJ
thing in the line of improvements, which
we noticed after entering, was NEW
TIMBER SHED, which is to be erected near
by, and just to the southwest of the ma
rine barracks. The foundation of this
building has been laid, and portion of
the main pillars raised but judging from
the rapidly with which its erection is
progressing, we think that it will not be
long ere it viii be completed and ready
for use. While we were here passing
around and making examinations, the
roll Of the drum fell upon our ears and
we turned and hastcned to see the
DRILLING Oh THE MARINES,
which was just commencing upon the
lawn in front Of their barracks. We
stopped and saw them 90 through a va
ricty Of manmuvres. We should think
that it would we'll repay the solder-lov-
ing ladies OF Portsmouth to walk over
there any Of these fine, pleasant mornings
and see the drilling of the marine corps.
The stroll, we think, would be no injury
whatever to health, but would rather
have tendency to invigorate both the
mental and physical system. Then pass
ing on, we noticed that the piles are
being driven upon the rivers edge, just to
the east Of the Boat-shed for the erection
of new
PROVISION sToRE-HoUsE,
or rather q Bakery, for such we believe it
may be termed, as we understand that
the bread, crackers, &C., for vessels going
to sea, arc to be manufactured in this
building. We passed on to the
Dry DOCK,
in which we found the United States
sloop OF war Saratoga, having been taken
in for tae purpose OF giving her general
over-hauling and re6tting. A goolly
number Of men We're engaged in taking
the old copper from her bottom. We
then hurried on to notice the
New NATIONAL FOUNDRY
which was completed but 4 few days
ago, and in which the first mouldings
were cast on Saturday last. Among the
first castings, we noticed pair of TASKS,
together with number of smaller arti-
cles. The main building is without any
wood work whatever, the roof being of
iron and slate, together with the windows
and doors; it is ire-proof, and upon
the whole, is very substantial build
ing. tits thirty feet high, two hundred
feet in length and one hundred and four
feet in width. For the purpose OF rails
ing very heavy and unweildy masses Of
iron &C., there have been erected three
cranes each Of which is worked by steam.
There are also two cupolas, which are
sufficiently large to cast fifteen tons Of
iron at blast, and are supplied by two
of Mason's blowers thirty-two inches in
diameter, they are driven by means Of an
underground shaft one hundred and for
ty feet long, from forty-horso power
engine making eighteen hundred revo-
buttons per minute. This engine is q
beautiful and mastery piece of work, in
which q large quantity OF fuel is saved
by means Of 'cut of" Every thing
about it is said to work to perfection. A
substantial railway laid ppon stone is
now being run throughout the building
50 as to carry to any part thereof, quick
ly, any heavy casting. Now we arrive
at the worst Of our trip. We, curious
to know something about everything,
determined to make al
ASCENSION UP TIE FOUNDRY STACK.
Soup we started. just behind a friend
who accompanied Us, but sooa he was
out of sight and hallooing out come on
for it was as dark as Egyptian nlidnight)
and on we followed until We began to
feel little strange-thought we were
high enough, therefore started back feel
ing for each step and then ace hallooed
out to our friend "como on" Having
assembled as near as we can guess about
1875 feet; we reached the ground with the
determination never to go up that stack
again. We then visited the
SAW MILL,
but found the planks, &C., to be flying