The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-09
THE oosPoRT NAVY YARD,


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Irlrrovcmeuts in Machipery and Docls-
Tho Constellation Being Pat in Sca-Goipg
Order-Tho Gunboass Guleua 6ud Saco 10
DO Ship.RiSSed--Other Vessels or War ar
the Yard-Confempluted Extension Of tho
Navy Yard-OAcers ON Duty at the Post.
PORTSMOUTH. ya Sept Is, 1862
40 the resident and visiting public the extensive
and sp.enddy built navy yard, first erected 1920,
at this point seemingly offers but little attraction,
for unless upon business few ever enter Its guarded
precincts; yet, OF the many naval depots belonging
70 tue United States government few eqnal and
none surpass the Gosport YARD, and none can
better repay visitor for an occasional hour
spent in its magnificent workshops. Its
extensive enclosed area Is beautifully laid
out aud kept In admirable order And here can
be seen some OF the finest specimens OF American
naval architecture which, though partially disman-
tied and dsarmed and Idly rocking on the peaceful
waters Of the Elizabeth, give an impressive idea OF
the majestic noatng fortresses OF the stormy deep.
The spacious workshops are filed with the finest
laDor-saving machines known TO naval science.
Elegantly finished latnes OF every size, from that
which executes the ornamental brass work OF the
cabin up to the gigantic frame that, with unerring
accuracy turns and poshes the most pom
derous crank OF the most pow erful propeller.
The clumsy looking ''Samsons'i that with
scarcely perceptible motion drive hole through
o thick bar Of iron, or cut IL smooth as a keen
knife would thin plug Of tobacco. have not time
TO describe the myriad iabor-saving machines well
worthy OF note, and still OF minute inspections;
but must draw attention TO the at once powerful
and magnificent engine attached TO the dry dock.
which totally destroyed at the time OF the Con-
federate evacuation, on the 10th Of May, 1861, and
rebuilt by the federal the fall following
LANGUAGE
and beautiful faish; II must be seen to be appre-
ciated. Nor must 1t be forgotten that 1t was con-
structed III the yard by Portsmouth mechanics.
There are many other things Of great interest be
met with In a stroll over the yard, among which Is
the capacious foundery and the wearranged armory
with Its numerous and unique specimens of death.
dealing missiles
There is now greater display of activity 10 the
navy ard than at any period since the close OF the
war. The number Of workingmen employed in tho
various departments Is over twelve hundred, and
Judging from the OF work at present on hand
the busy season VIII be likely to last until tue
spring. There are three men-of.war under imme-
date repair all OF which WIN be thoroughly over
hauled and reftted Tor service in foreign waters.
The Old sailing sloop Constellation. recently in
seayea ~ sere nn snip a. ~ aug
liner New Hampshire, which has been ordered 70
Portsmouth, n. H., as hospital ship, Is now in the
hands Of the carpenters and Will be put in thorough
sea-gotng condition.. the department. having aban-
doned It's determination to continue her receiving
ship any longer. In consequence this disposition
OF the Constellation the poop deck which was being
built on her for the accommodation of Rear Admiral
Sands Will be removed, spar deck win be added
and other alterations which have been suggested
VIII be made IL ID not positively known what
but it Is generally thought that either the Vandaiia
or Savannah will be designated
Toe gunooat Gaena screwl formerly an iron-cad
but now schooner rugged steamer, which arrived
here three months ago from Boston, route to Join
the West India squadron and was subsequently sur.
veyed aud condemned, is now on the new ways in
the HANDS Of Inc carpenters, to be stripped OF her
copper ana nave every rotten inch taken out OF her,
All OF her machinery has been taken out and re.
moved to the shops and viii be mostly repuilt. Her
repairs VIII De very extensive and viii include new
machinery, new spars aud almost everything else
new from tue Keel TO the manroyal. Tue Galena
Will be shiprlgged.
me gunboat saco screw. which has been lying at
the docks in ordinary since her return from the
coast OF Mexico two years since, has peen ordered
to be lifted out immediately for sea- and Is now
IN the dry dock fairly reduced to her ribs with 100
wofkmen driving rapidly ahead on her with their
WORK OF repair and renovation. The machinery OF
the Saco nearly all the Shops to be worked over
and improved; an entire complement OF new spars
Is being gotten out for her at the spar shed ana
Ike the Gaena sne wnl be full shprigged ia order
TO work under canvas altogether at sea and save
tine expense Of burning COAL For the Saco, as well
as the Galena and Constellation, q full comple.
ment OF ships boats Will be constructed
which includes Darges cutters gigs ana din
geys, and judging from the samples already IA
process Of construction, they win be the finest lot
boats ever turaed out this any other navy yard
In the United States Ii Is a matter of peculiar
pride the beat building in this nenona establish
meat. Ihe best worknien are EMPLOYED and eyefy
officer that visits the station speaks OF the beauty
and excellence OF their WORK. No officers are named
for the above ships yet. At the docks aud at the
naval anchorage below lie several other vessels at
tached to the yard, which are varously used. The
New Hampshire. three deck seventy -four, re-
st. Lawrence, marine barracks; Jean sand special
servlce Periwinkle, Snowdrop and Standsh laid M
to an sxtegs Ve saS 70 the & looking
national establishment at period in the near
future, have an been completed unner the super
lntenoence OF w. NJ. Spear, civil engineer OF the
yard, and have been sent to Washington TO Law
before Congress next session. The water front or
tue proposed extension runs up the Elizabeth river
- over a hall mile from the present limits OF the
yard and on The land side the survey Incorporates
those populated districts of the city or Portsmouth
known as Gosport and Newtown. In the opinion OF
the Board Of inspection, which consisted OF Rear
Admras Striollng Lardner and Commodore lee
mere last spring 70 ascertain the condition of the
yard It's capacity Tor building and repairing vessels
ana what IS waited TO reader it efficient In tllne
OF war; Gosport Navy Yard Is one OF the most
important naval auxiaries in the whole country
ana should be double IN size, with AT least another
workshops and store buildings, capacious rolling
mills and every other facility Tor working SIX or
seven thousand operatives and turning out a
thoroughly equipped ironclad every month or two
Us superior eeograph cal location. ample ha rDor
exemption Of the latitude from the seventies
OF W., WINTER, an recommend the suggestions
board are all at the department In Washington,
ready TO be submitted TO Congress at Its next ses.
slon, when an appropriation WIN be asked for ant.
hcient funds to carry out the proposed Improve
ments Whether all these improvements will be
anoWed Oy congress Is by no means certain, but
should the designs OF The Board be carried ont the
navy yard here will be the largest establishment
used Tor naval construction In the world. Already
II stands next In size, Greenwich, England alone
being larger.
rue following are the officers at present on duty
on this station:-
ADMIRAL or THE PORT.
Rear Admiral Joshua K. sands.
NAVY YARD.
COnntdnfdnt- Commodore A. III. Ktlty.
Erecuttre OGicer-Captain Edward Donaldson.
chtel o. 0fdnonce-Captan George II. Cooper.
Ndctgdt0n OWcet'-Captain Francs IL. Baker
commander ~ 0te fdrd-Captain Thomas Patti
son.
claef or Equipment ana Recluiting-Captain $. p
Qusckenbush.
Cfttef Eng,ueer-Henry H. Stewart.
Nupot COMMUNICATIONS E. Webb.
Va ~