The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-10
NAVAL AND MILITARY MOVEMENTS.

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The Steamship Ocean Queen Chartered
by the Govexnment-Furthe Mystert-
GUS Observation-Disclosures also Char
tered to Proceed to the GuIf-Their Pro-
babie Destination and Object Govern
ment Officials On B0ard-The Harriet
Lane-FinaI Departure Of the Steam
Transports Baltic and Illinois, &c, &c.
The expedition of steam transports despatched from
this port to be further increased it would seem by
the ad tion of the steamship Ocean Queen and several
steamtugs
THE OCEAN QUEEN.
There is scarcely any for DOUBT that the
steamship Ocean Queen has been chartered by the GO
vernment for purpose similar to that for which the
Atlantic, Baltic and Illinois have been engaged. Rumor
durr the past few days has spread the intellneuce
and facts would to make the matter certain.
The Ocean Queen belongs to the Southampton and
Havre Steamship Company, at whose office, No.
Bowling green, reporter called yesterday To his
inquiry regarding the rumored charter OF the Ocean
Queen the agent replied that be was aware that
euch the fact and could give information
regarding the matter. Notwithstanding this, certain
it that the large hand bills posles advertising the
intended departure of the Ocean Queen the 4h of May
next which affixed to the bulletin board in front Of
the office of the company Monday last were torn OF
yesterday morning KThe advertisements in the daily
papers, announcing the fact have also been with
drawn
After leaving the agent reporter paid visit to the
steamer ITSELF which he found lying at the foot OF King
street North The dock entirely deserted and no
themselves of the shipping of either
q commercial warke. cargo On board the steamer
all was quiet, except towards the bow, where couple
Of workmen were engaged in making some repairs The
officers and crew shore and but two three per-
Of fha
sell were on board If she has been chartered, the 60
vernment appears TO be somewhat tardy in fitting Der
out
The Ocean Queen is large side wheel three.decked
steamer, with Q vertical beam engine Of twelve feet
stroke launched at the yard Of Messrs Wester
welt Mackay In 1857. Her draught is sixteen feet.
She 2o2 burhen and is constructed Of oak, with
four water tight bulkheads. Her dimensions are
1927 feet length, forty two breadth, and twenty
two depth. She built for Cornelius Vanderbilt,
and is rated Al, with good security against
FIRE. Several passages were made by her between
this port and Southampton and Havre in 1882 She
was hauled Off year and remained at her dock until
the company again determined to bring her into service
ana her passage extensively advertised to take
place the 4th Of May next. Circumstances seem TO
show however that alteration has been made In the
programme that she will ere long follow the expe
diton Of munoned and provsioned transports sent to
the South.
sTEAMTUGs DESPATCHED TO THE GULF.
In addition to the steamships already ordersd to
some Southern destination the precise locality of whi,h
as yet secret the government appears to have adopted
come new policy in sending steamtugs to the Gulf. The
object OF these u.s. like that of the steamships,
what enyeloped in mystery. Rumor and conjecture,
however give the matter two solutions One s, thst
the steamugs are intended to act tenders for the
landing Of troops and provisions from the steamships at
points where the superb draft of the latter would pre-
vent close approach TO the shore. The other Is that
they be employed In transporting and transferring
troops and provisions between the various naval
and military stations aorg the Gulf Both surmises
seem very probable, and may be the case that these
vessels are TO be employed in both capacities.
THE srEAMTUG YANKEE.
eft this port Monday evening" and went to sea in
pany with the Baltic, she chartered for object
ana destination which her owner Russell sturges Esq
liz under obligations disclose government official
or messenger on with sealed dispatches and she
fuel for two weeks consumption lie owner
assured our reporter that few days would cear up the
my stery OF her mission.
The Yankee is very staunch boat, and has been
employed in the Sandy Hook towing business sho is 375
tons burthen, with draft OF six feet and cross head
engine Of eight feet eight inches stroke Her material is
white oak and hacmataok aud dimensions LAG feet length
twenty five breadth and depth She was launched
in November, 1857 lie rated A1, and is commanded by
Captain Hennessy.
THE sTEAMTUG THOMAS FREEBoRN
stpuations were entered into by the government for
the chrterng OF this vessel TO leave at moments no.
tice for come destination unknown to her owner. She
appears TO have been destined to accompany the Illinois
as the Yankee accompanied the Baltic but at the time
the request came for her departure che wa out at sea
engaged in her employment Of towing and did not come
up TO the city until yesterday morning
The Freedom is steamtug OF 300 tons burtheu ana
feet draft She is constructed Of oak, with beam
engine Of feet stroke and is rated AZ She Is COM
manded by Captain Morrill, and launched in 1860
ON acsolnt Of her inability 20 comply with the order
for departure,
THE sTEAMTUG UNCLE BEN
substituted in her stead and proceeded to
Monday night She returned again what unaccount
ably yesterday morning for reason which
porter unable TO ascertain Tie made application a.
Abe ofce Of her owners but they were unable 10 en-
tighten him
THE sTEAMTug JACOB BELL
Application afo made few days since for the
eharerng Of ths vessel 20 upon an erraud similar 10
1hat OF the Yankee, Freedom and Uncle Ben Her own
sre however, feared that the large quantity or coal
which IL would be necessary carry for such voyage
would Increase her draft much ondor trip dan
crous in heavy
THE AGENT or THE GOVERNMENT
Tor the charterng OF the various vessels Is Colonel Keys