The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-22

ing used by officers, and very comfort
any very unpleasant recoecons OF his stay IN Port
Louis number Of dungeons at the very foundation Of
the walls Of the city are se o. ve, ~
She erye pe Of the work. and are naturally very dark
damp and gloomy. Leh. Lnds ITS way N DIM lines
air NAV be supposed gain 70 the horrible vaults
where State prisoners frequently kept They have
not been EMPLOYED that purpose for long time and
are now used az sorehouses wood The streets of
Port Louis and crooked but like all French
streets, well paved with Belgian pavement An ar OF
confirmed quiet and stiffness pervades the town, and
would imagine walk its almost deserted Streets that
the quaint old town taking long nap from which
il would be difficult awaken IT, The few peasants that
one meets Gathering along their heavy clumsy wooden
sab shoes 10 strengthen the impression That
ACTIVITY and life were soon take final leave Of Port
Louis and give it up TO eternal quiet and rest.
Oar Rochcfort Correspondence.
RocxFoRr, Oct %, 1885.
Visit Of the Frolic TO RocAstovt-The Navy Yar-Iron-
Cads and Torpedo Boat-Incyease in the French Iron
clad Squadron-TAe Brandy Trade Of Rochel&-DeatAd
Surgeon Alingham, Of As Fsolic, HIS Funeral, &C.
Handsome Conduct Of the French A,aAorities-La Ro-
cAelIs, de-
The Froc arrived here on the 2lst from Torrent and
ST. Nazare having been anchored in the latter port for
four days. it being found impossible account Of the
low state Of in the Loire TO ascend 10 NanteS Our
very excellent consul at Nantes Mr. John do Ia Mon
soon as the arrival Of the Froc that port made
known TO him. and with HIM he brought the best pilot
on the river But after full consultation, it deter
mined that would be exceedingly dangerous to attempt
to carry the ship Nantes consequence of the shoals
and bars in the II possible to get the ship
up it would require several days TO return SO the idea
was relinquished and Admiral Goldsborough and staff
and many officers Of the ship visited Nantes by railway
ST. Nazaire is comparatively young as a commercial
town II was not until the failure Of the efforts Of the
engineers 10 improve the navigation OF the river TO
Nantes that began activity in a commercial
line II had been miserable fishing town, famous for
sardines changed its character and felt
the life giving impulses Of trade when it was made the
principal port Of the Loire The Emperor Immediately
began extensive improvements to make the harbor
OF the fret in France Immense basins or docks have
been constructed capable Of admitting vessels Of the
largest class The entrance to the huge basir which is
constructed in the most massive and elegant manner,
all the facing being Of stone, is furnished with i'm
mense locks which closed at high tide, thereby
keeping the water the basin at about the height
all the time II s occasionally allowed TO flow out TO
keep the fresh and sweep out such refuse as may
collect therein. large number Of ships were lying in
the basin receiving dlschargng cargoes, which are
transported inland by the railway. Among the vessels
there the immense and powerful steamers belonging
to the French line between St Nazaire and Mexico The
port is to be the French of the projected line
Of steamers between France and Norfolk, virgina-a
line that exists az yet only on paper Eventually
st. Nazaire will become port only equaled by Havre
and Bordeaux and perhaps in time will surpass the lat
ter II has all the qualities Of good harbor, and must
become great port under the impulse Of the present
ruler OF France There here already extensive ship
yards and works. and some splendid specimens Of
al Tho pprh
company owning the Mexican line Two largo steamers
ore now on the stocks will be ready for launch
ing The city itself Ii rapidly becoming little Paris
The new portion Of the city Is well laid out with wide
streets running at right angles, well paved and lighted
The buildings are constructed OF the light yellow stone
much IN vogue in Paris and the architectural style 10
not unlike that prevailing In the capital There are
some very cq}s and hotels already in operation and
numbers OF private residences already built or In pro-
Of construction, which would not be dscredt TO
the finest city in Europe The entire shipping interests
Of Nantes must soon 70 st. Nazae, and OF the
residents Of the latter place win doubtless live TO
their city grown TO magnificent proportions, with COM
merce that shall extend 70 all portions Of the globe
came around TO hs port, where she now lies, the Ad
mira and sta joining her here having come across by
Rochcfort is one Of the secondary naval stations OF
France II is situated the river Chorante about ten
miles from ts mouth, and seems TO have but one ad
vantage az naval station II Is secluded, ouof the
way place, rarely visited by foreign vessels Of war or
merchantmen the latter using Rochelle az port
Of entry But the river Il exceedingly and very
Notwithsiandipe these serious drawbacks, Rochefcrt
turns out large number Of men-o war One large iron
clad corvette Of the Heroine class carrying fifty or sixty
guns has just been launched and is now receiving her
iron. large troop ship and transport for horses are
the stocks beng rapidly pushed forward to com
petiop Orders have Just been received TO commence
the construction Of three iron-cad corvetes, 10 be
completed as soon M possible ] may here observe
ron-cads be built at once and completed at the
first moment The number is large but the object OF
this immense and sudden augmentation OF the French
clad apI of hnc
known. Something rs evidently on foot which time
alone viii develop OF the truth OF the above statement
there is the least doubt have II from several
sources entirely reliable IN aaotheT year the Empcrors
feet Will he stronger by nj least ten twelve iron eads
Of the mort modern design When they are 70 be used
any may conjecture, but no one seems TO know.
Perhaps may them the North American coast
distant daya conDpe that regarded by those
who the present temper Of the Emperor az In
wise improbable But Of the results Of engagement
between the best French iron-clad and an improved
double turreted Monitor no one who has seen the two
would doubt Ny faith 10 pinned 10 the hfteen-nch
guns.
designed for the purpose Of destroying ships by tor
pcdoes II is long vessel, in shape not unlike Wnans
cigar boat constructed Of "copper" and capable 10 said,
OF great speed The great principle involved in the non
descrpt that enabling II 70 operate for long time
under No one s permitted 70 60 on board, lest
the great should be and the interior Of
the affair is grand mystery 10 outsiders believe
government have plans OF the vessel which II some
mysterious way eded into their hands and the secret
carefully kept from foreigners here well known IN
Washington. The boat Ia sad TO be complete SUCCESS,
and promises TO effect entire and radical change IN
marine warfare SO the French tay with do not know
what truth.
Outside Of the navy yard Rochefort presents
little OF interest Il pretty little French
city, Of modern build, nicely laid out and in
q pleasant state Of cleanliness ls commerce 10
in brandies entirely and very extensive Chorante,
little port three miles above the town on the river OF
the Same name exports an immense deal Of cognac and
Rochelle brandes 10 England Tho brandes sent 70
America 90 from Rochelle though the commerce during
the rebellion has been very small. IL 10 now revivng
rapidly large quantities OF the favorte drink OF the
South being shipped and the merchants are greatly
encouraged During the rebellion all their sympathes
with the SOUTH but that business Is revvinr,
and they that II the North with whom their IN
tercss lay they have become immensely loyal in their
sypaths and regard the United States as the country
after all
Since We arrived here Captain Upshur, Of the Frolic,
has received advicos from Mr. Edward Las, our Con.
sular Agent at Cherbourg conveying the mournu intel
gence Of the death Passed Assistant Surgeon James
] Allnrham Of the Erolc in the Marine Hospital at