The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-30
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.

NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON, August 90 1861.
Actiriy at the Washington Nary Yard-The Men Employ
ed-The Ordnance Found,y--The Work Done There
The Iron neutrality-suspicious. Of Shot and Shell-
Daily Arrival Of Marines, dc.
At this yard the unparalleled activity prevails.
Capt Dahlgren and his officers almost delugcd with
business while the former alone beseged with callers
on business of public, private and curious nature
There are employed in and about the yard between
fourteen and fifteen hundred men not including marines
and sailors portion of this force is engaged in active
operations both night and day, including Sundays.
O course the ordnance foundry is the peculiar instu
ton Of the place. The casting of guns at this shop often
witnessed by large crowd of eager spectators not
cepng droves of officers widows and Of the ninth
generation The employees of this shop commence their
daily course of labor ut five O'Clock in the morning and
tinue with very brief ntermisson for dinner, which
latter is carried to thcm), till seven O'Clock in the
ing The number thus employed is forty four portion
Of these mould and cast gun generally a twelve
pounder) during the above specified working period each
day.
1t is roughly estimated that between three and four
thousand twelve Founders, and five hundred other sized
guns have been cast in this building since its construction
Next to guns the casting of shot and shell occupies the
greatest amount Of attention.
In the ordnance foundry (referred to above sixty -four
rlhed shell arc cast on an average each day Twelve
ana sixty eight Founders also manufactured in largo
numbers. Here they make boat carriage work and
position straps for rcd guns Only of the latter
prepared in day. Fuses also attended to- OF these
six hundred and forty Eight made in day On this
work nine persons employed which are more
boys The modus operand is thus :-One does the
moulding and casting, three make The 'scores
hoes while the remainder scrape and brush away the
adheriag sand.
Al the iron foundry about fourteen thousand shot are
castper day inclusive Of all sizes kinds from canis
ter to fifty Founders. days work single ndivdu-
al is, Of canister eight hundred fifty pounders twelve,
and OF grape one hundred.
In various other places throughout the yard The
ing and casting OF implements Of prosecuted with
great vigor various scales to suit the
capabilities OF each respective place. Owing this pc.
cuarity, it would be matter Of almost utter impossi-
bty for reporter to obtain accurate information of
total weight OF shot cast this yard during the period of
one week, or even the lesser time of one day.
Tho rapdity with which shells are finished or and
boxed up, at the Shell House. is astonishing compared
with times gone by.
The ordnance and machine departments the scene
OF labor night and day.
The lofts of tie buildings In the yard have been
turned into kind OF quarters for the marines These are
here in exceedingly large numbers and the cry is stili
they come" Physically, they as fine a set OF
men as one was wont TO at this yard prior TO the
war; YET on the WHOLE they are hardy SET and
evnce unusual amount Of quickness cssc percep
ton.
Everything that ia necessary TO keep ship in repair or
build new one is being prepared in abundance.
A great number Of anchors are on hand, and what Is
more, great number are being made. To make of
frgate's anchors (our, each weighing between seven
and eight hundred pounds, it takes about month.