The Portland daily press., 1864-09-19
Visit to Kittsry Navy Yard.
LAUNCH OF THE FRANKLIN.

quite company of Portsnders we started IN I
the p. s. & p. cars Saturday morning, the |
band of the 18th U. S. Infantry, stationed at
Fort Preble. going up with US TO perform mu-
sic on the occasion.
At every stopping place accessions, were
made to our number, and when the cars
stopped at the Kittery depot some three hun
dred passengers left them to witness the |
launch. fft xF
The road to the Navy Yard was crowded
with all sorts of yehicles-from the splendid
carriage to the coal cart--crowded with pas
sengers, and pedestrians lined the sides of the !,
road all vending their way thither. The band
escorted the passengers from the cars, and |
took their station on a platform erected on
the bridge where they discoursed splendid
music. 40 - SIS ass
The sight from the Navy. Yard was grand
one. From 5000 to 10000 people had assem-
bled in the yard, on the bridge and covering
every surrounding point OF land which would
afford good view OF the launch. The water
was crowded with boats full of passengers
The receiving ship yandalia was gaiiy dressed
with flags from deck to truck, and everything
wore an animated appearauee.sH YsN88AI
aus THE LAUNCH.
The launch was the handsomest one that
ever took place from that yard. At five min
utes before twelve O'Clock. the key block was
knocked out from under her and the noble
ship Immediately started-sliding down her
ways gracefully into the water, amid the
cheers OF thousands and music by the band
| In launching SO large q vessel with such sue
cess, in so marrow space, great credit is due
to the Naval Constructor, Mr.. Pook, who has
thus overcome one OF the greatest obstacles
in mechanical skill. 1t was said that she
would 60 over to the bank on the other side
OF the river ii not checked within twice her
length; but she had not slid more than one
hundred feet from her ways before she was
handsomely checked, and her anchors were
dropped. The moment she started she was
christened by Mrs. Wise, wife of the chief
of the Ordnance Bureau, who was among
the ladies on board.
After the LAUNCH was over the crowd was
invited to partake Of capital collation. which
uhu UCCn p1CpAiSu III tuC new poae-hOuoC
building. A dance on the upper floor Of the
spacious store house, which had asren tasteful
y decorated with flags, took place In the after
noon. Az l.t.se.t.a
Not the slightest accident occurred to mar
the pleasure of the occasion.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE FRIGATE.
The Franklin is 265 feet long between per-
pendiculars; 2SI feet on the spar deck, and
BOG feet over alt; depth of hold p IL feet
extreme depth, from hammock rail to bottom
of keel. 46 1-2 feet; tonnage 1854; weight Of
vessel about 2500 tons; propeller 81 feet in d.
ameter. She is pierced for so guns. Her keel
was laid in 1858, and work was suspended on
her in 1856, when she was ready for caulking
7 Work upon her was resumed last June and
hurried to completion. She is said to be the
dnest modelled vessel afloat 10 our Navy, and
was designed and commenced by William l.
Hanscom, who, at that time, was Naval Con
structor in that yard. She was finished and
launched under the supervision Of S. N. Pook
the present Naval Constructor; Charles w
Stimsou, Master Carpenter. -f-s $50"
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE YARD.
Twelve war vessels and three tugs hav,
been built and launched in this yard within
three years. The Kearsarge and Ossipee
screws, and Sebago aud Mahaska, side wheel
ers, in 1851; Sacramento, screw, and 'Sonom
aud Conemaugh, side wheelers, in 1862; Nip
sic and Shawmut screws. and Sassacus an,
| Patuxet, side wheelers, in 1853; Franklin
screw, and two steam tugs, 10 1864
The Contoocook, steam sloop-of-war OF 2oO
tons, will be ready TO lannch in about fou
weeks. She is 200 feet long, 40 feet breadth
20 feet depth, aud will carry II guns. She il
! pronounced one of the finest specimens o
naval construction.
The Piscataqua, Illinois and Minnetoka
spar-deck sloops-ot-war, 2200 tons burthen
2l2 feet in length, 40 feet breadth, aud % fee
depth, will be ready for launching in about
eight months. These vessels are calculated
for heavy armament. They will each carr,
two 100 pound rifle guns, sixteen 0 inch shell
guns, one go 10. Parrot and two 30 Id. Parro
guns and two "a ID. howitzers. 80
Probably two or three more Of the larges
class steam frigates will be built at this yard
The iron-cIad Agamenticus lies at the whar
in the yard and is nearly ready for sea-
Thousands went on board OF her Saturday ant
every one was astonished at her vast strength
She is 260 feet long, So feet wide and 10 fee
deep. She Is coated outside with 1--WE plate,
OF iron, each OF one inch thickness; has two
turrets q feeteach in diameter and 10 niche.
| aarrxinu tnn x froh He,
tonnage Is about 1900. She has two engines
and two propeilors--the latter ten feet In di
ameter.
The iron-clad Passaconaway will be ready
In about eight months. Her length is 1928 feet
breadth 81 i-2 feet, depth is 2 feet, tonnas,
1900. She has two turrets "A feet each inside
diameter, 10 inches thick, each carrying two
20 inch guns. Her armor Is Ia inches of iror
on the sides and three inches on deck.
The steam irigate Colorado. of the class Of
the Franklin, but not quite SO large, is at the
yard taking in stores.
The screw steamer Albatross Is repairing
and nearly ready for sea.
Steam irigate San Jaeinto will be ready for
sea next month.
Side wheel steamers De Soto and Toga are
waiting Tor repairs.
Side wheel steamer Merrimae-gritish built
captured while running the blockade, then
purchased by government and fitted up for
the Navy, is ut the yard; having put in there
to take in provision aud coal.
The Yandslia is there, being used as a guard
and receiving ship.
Schooner Bea1reguard, q captured block
ade runner, is being fitted up for blockade pur-
poses. s"s
- OFFICERS OF THE YARD. s
There are about 2lo0 men now employed in
the yard. The following is the list OF officers
Commodore-George +. Pearson.
Ordinance Officer - Capt. L. M. Colds
borough.
Executive Officer--Commander A. hurry.
Naval Thomas l.. Tullock.
i al Coz Lob