The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-20

The Naval Preparations or England.
fwoowch (Dec 81 correspondence Of London chroncle
In consequence Of the threatening aspect OF the relations
between this country and America the most unusual ac
tvy has prevailed during the present week al the ssve
raj departments OF tho Royal Arsenal and Dockyard
dors Superintendent Sir W. E. NcoIson directing that
the whole OF the artisans and aborers employed ~ the
steam factory department. who have recently boon re-
srcted TO quarter time, shall resume working iu
day time formerly. Forty additional shipwrghts and
laborers this day at the dockyard, and tho
number Is to be Increased to one hundred curing the pre-
week return has been presented to tho Admiral
~ OF the number OF steam vessels available Tor inme-
date SERVICE and the Devastation Is TO DO immediately
commissioned for the North American waters.
The Vesuvius lust rebuilt At Depford II also 70 get
ready for commission.
The Melbourne hired steam vessel this day shipped
immense amount OF munitions OF war at the Royal Arse
AMI will complete her cargo with Armstrong guns,
small arms, &C. for Canada.
Tho workmen ~ the Armstrong guns factories and AZ
other departments OF tho Arsenal arc now employed by
night as well a. day.
| tho premises Of Messrs. Westwood Baiie, London
yard OF Dogs this day conveyed down the river
by the steam vessels African and Adder TO Chatham for
Immediate completion.
plymouth (Dec q correspondence o1Iondon Chronicle
In confirmation OF what stated Monday, respect
ing the imaginary assertions In the London Herald STAN
ddrd &C.. about tho Warrior being sent to Annapos, we
may observe that the alterations to DO made In her
steering apparatus and other defects also which require
be made good expected to cause hor detention at
Several ships are named at this por. as having been
| ordered 10 be bro ght forward for commission.
Besides the Shannon, 81 ard the Euryaus, 81, which
nearly rugged and equipped ready for service, the
Highayer 81 Esk, 81; Sutej, 61 Volcano, 3, paddle,
and others recently dsmanted after return from foreign
service, are to BIO again prepared for commission.
Portsmouth has not been behind in evincng that pa
trioc spirit already talked about in other naval ports
in the event of Various rumors have been circu
lated about to-day respecting officers to command certain
ships Taking them for much as they worth, we
fully believe that neither officers will be found
wanting should day OF ribulation come far as this
port u oonssrned.
From the Manchester Guardian, Dec. s.
The 0rphsus 81 is being ted out for foreign scrvice
aud with regard to the Warrior tho London TIM says
aWhat may ultimately be done with the ship WILL Of
course doend upon the nature Of the reply which may
be received by her Maestys Ministers from the Cabinet
at Washngton.o
IN addition to the Orlando, 81, nearly ready. the
following ships ofwar at Davenport are Vered to be
prepared for soa:-The steam frgate Phoebe, 81
enc; the screw steam sloop Perseus, III and
the paddle vessel Styx, o. Three hundred
and sxtyeght additional shipwrights, &C., required
at once for this backyard.
The london Ne,os OF tho 4th inst has been assured
that orders issued Monday by government 70
pat ten frgates into commission, and to man them i'm
| meda,ey."
The excitement in naval circles respecting the Ameri-
can difficulty, says tho London Times, increases hourly.
Officers Of all ranks and OF them holding high dock
yard appointments said to have eagerly offered their
services the Admiralty should matters turn out for tho
| war