The New York herald., 1864-09-21
The Navy.

NOVEL AND SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF THE STEAM
vRaArs NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. INGENUITY rRI-
UMPHAfr-A GRAND GALA DAT Ar PoRfsAoUTH
NAVY YARD-DESCRIrTI0N OF THE FRANKLIN
ETC., ETC.
The steam screw rrigaie Franklin was successfully
launched At the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Fmsevy, Ne.
on Saturday noon, amid large OF people, Tho
launching OF this fine vessel accomplished without
any injury although the risk attending very great
She had but little room, and consequently her Roadway
had 10 be checked that shc should not run on the
rocks or into tho opposite bank and damage herself
Naval constructor NJ Pook Is entitled 10 much praise
for his arrangements for checking the vessel and easing
her into her destined element. The preparations wore
- iohows-IIeavy anchors were placed ahead Of the
snip, 10 which large hawsers secured these were
taken on board OF the Ship while others were laid oil ng
tbe launching ways and carried into the stream form
ing "bight," which was kept upon the surface by
mems q noas Sc that when the ship camo on the ways
sno wss checked by this huge hawser At short dis
tsrce from this blight placed, twenty feet apart
three large ssers firmly anchored end loated upon
the surface BY oss 50 that in event Of tho ship which
weshs 800 tons, breaking the first hight. she would
brrg up IN one oae three remaining Worry m n interest
has been lett 10 tbs launch. and large number OF dis
tneushed naval officers al shipbuilders present
to witness the operation. This is the irss tins any.
thing Of ihe Kind has beea done IN this country.
and MI pock Is TO DO congratulated upon his successful
accomplishment Of very hazardous affair IN Europe
man woad be promoted or decorated for such skin aud
There an ,mmeusc attendance from far and near
10 lauEc the animated presented,
with the tide full the river covered with craft OF all
sorts moving about and the United States ship vandsla
and her tender, the schooner Beaurogerd, both gny
dressed with all their bunting, the blue above and the
blue below" clearly brought out by the bright morning
sun, and the thousands of meu, and children who
crowded The shores all inndswas indeed beautitri
and iEspiriting.
After the launch, Admiral Pearson received his friends
In large numbers ri his residence the yard Including
many prominent citizens and distinguished gentlemen
from abroad. Admiral Pearson has spent tour
at the yard as comnandant; and with many prcsen.
sion and enjoy the always bonnt!iul hospitalit,es
aspsGsea ny ns famy vas resatdea as ana swe :.
gentleman. Captain Bowers, OF the Vanda'ia, ALSO re-
coved and handsomely entertaned large numbers OF MS
friends board his ship The mechanics ut the yard
also served up an immense collation. IN tho new boat
house.
The Franklin will be fed for sea as soon possible
and will probably be sent to represent our interest in
Europe.
The Franklin is 265 feet long between perpendiculars;
2s1 feet the spar deck and 3O6 feet all depth OF
hold 81 "a ect; extreme depth, from hammock rail to
bottom Of keel, 40A ieet tonnage, 1884; weight OF
vessel about $500 toms propeller II feet IN diameter
She is peIce1 for y guns. Her keel was laid In 1853,
and work was suspended on her In 1885, when she was
ready for cauik.ng Work upon her was resumed last
June and hurried to completion. She is said TO be the
finest modelled vessel afoas IN our navy, and was do
signed ana commenced by William l. Hanscom who, at
that time naval constructor in that yard She was
finished and launched under the supervision OF Pook,
the present naval constructor; Charles W. Stimson,
master carpenter.
Twelve war ard three tugs have been built and
launched 10 this yard within three The Kearsarge
wheelers, in 1891 Sacramento screw, aud Sonoma and
Conemaugh side wheeiers 1852 Nipsic and Shawmut,
screws, and Sassacus AID Par iKet side-wheelcr5 IN
1868; Franklin screw, and two steam tugs, in 1854
The Conto0cook stoarA soo3ofwur OF 1000 tons, VIII
be ready 70 launch In about four weeks. So Is 200 feet
long, 40 fee BREADTH 20 feet Deep and will carry twelve
guns She is pronounced OF the finest vessels Of
naval construction.
CHANGE OF NAME.
The gunboat (suppy sieamcr) Admiral, icting volun.
eer Lieutenant b. Caton comrnaudng, viii hereafter
be known the Fort Morgan conlnemoration OF Far
raguts brilliant victory In Mobile Bay aud tho passage OF
the work OF that The Navy Department have
shown good taste in giving this to Of vessels
ARRIVAL or TEE sUTrLY STEAMER APrRoDIrE.
The supply steamer AphrodIte Captain Morgan, from
Pensacola September 12 arrived yesterday She brings
home the following naval officers as passengers:Licu
tenant Commander i. M. Bunce Acting Master G. Cot
trl, Acting Assistant Paymaster Bailey Hascall Acting
Assistant Paymaster T. Barker Lieutenant of Mariuee
W. S. Morse, Acting Ensigns H. Cnrwu, J. W. Monroe,
VIM. Churchili. John White; Gunner VIM. Wilson. Car
pcnter A. o. Godso Saimuker N. Lynch Acting Masters
Mate WIN. X. Whilton. raymasters Clerk I. X. Fitch,
raynssier's stewards Charles Swceny and John VILLAINS
she also brings two hundred and twenty tive
ARRIVAL op THE UNITED STATES sTEALEa BROOK.
LYN
BosTos, Sept. 20, 1864
The United States steamer Brooklyn, Captain A!den.
Mobile BAY via Pensacola September 0, arrived here
to-day Tor repairs