The New York herald., 1869-04-29

intention was TO hitch the rudder on the bow, un-
ship that at the stern and steam up or down the
river without turning. These steamers are the As
cutney, Shamokin and Talapoosa. The two former
are rottng away In dgnifed ldleness, too slow and
unwleldy for carrying freight too unsteady ior
pleasure trips too worthless to sell and TOO costly TO
break up; but the latter with the help OF some add
tionai machinery, has been rendered seryiceaDle.
and Is used for Transporting stores from dinerent
parts OF the country to the Navy Yard and for the
pleasure excursions OF the President and Secretary
| OF the Navy she Is elegantly fitted up for the
| accommodation OF the distinguished passengers,
| WIN splendid dining saloon, cabin, staterooms,
nathrooms, &c, with elaborate provisions for the
culinary department and fine promenade decks.
| she Is commanded by Master ID. G. MacRitche, who
was selected @ @ or this pleasant kind OF duty on &C.
knowledge or coast navigation.
When visited by your correspondent the Talapoosa
was al ready 10 cast Off her hawser, the
Presidential party should come on board the lower
deck was partially covered with freight for New
York, among which were a number OF boxes con-
tanning furniture, marked "5ideon Welles, New
York city," To do justice 10 the naval authorities it
should be stated that pleasure excursions are never
INDUCED In unless the excursionlsts intend TO go
the whole length OF the voyage, which Is invariably
on government business; so that the public stores
and services OF Officers and men are not used to
minister to private enjoyment.
The workshops OF the yard are beginning again to
present lively and busting appearance. The force
IN the machine shops, cham and anchor shops, roll
ing mill, &C., has been lately augmented. The
Ordnance Department at this place Is the largest in
the United States, great deal OF work being done
here that is not done at any other navy yard. All
the fuses and percussion primers FOR supplying the
featuring fuses and primers is Kept a profound
secret and person is admitted to the laboratory
except those VINO are accompanied by one OF the
ordnance officers. Through the courtesy Oh Leuten-
ant Commander Howison your correspondent was
permitted to witness the different processes neces-
sary to the construction OF a simple fuse, which Is
shaped very much like cylindrical brass plug. 10 be
screwed into the shell after the latter IS charged with
powder: The processes are nine In number, as fol
lows:-Makng the explosive composition, cutting
the paper for the cylinder rolling te paper cylinder
loading the cylinder. cutting on the ends httlng the
charged cylinder into the fuse stock, charging the
waterproof caps, inserting the caps ana finally
stamp ping on the top the length Of the fuse.
Among the interesting machinery OF the ordnance
Department here are several not TO be round i'll any
other part OF the country. one IS Rodmans iron
tensil machine for testing the strength OF gun metal
specimens OF metal are placed in the machine. ana
instruments are attached which show tile exact de-
gree OF force required TO break by direct tension, to
bend, twist or penetrate any KIND OF metal what
ever Then there Is Rodmans pressure gauge for
testing the force of the gases generated py the ex
ploslon OF powder Here IS a small composition
gun cast in spain about the year 1870, which was
used by CorteZ in his conquest OF Mexico This gun
oscoses the fact that the leading and most success
fu feature IN the construction OF small arms In our
day known to the first manufacturers OF fire
arms, for II loads at the breech. AT The top OF the
breech where the vent should De Is square opening
| TO the bore Of the gun Within this opening Is d
piece something In the form OF fiat iron, having
handle by which to lit II out and put II IN. TO load
the piece the nat iron taken out, the cartridge
was placed in short barrel in the flat iron pushed
tight against the back, In which was a vent hole,
| the cartridge was pierced with a vent wire,
the fiat was placed In the gum showed forward
so as to leave space about two inches wide be-
tween the back Of the at iron and the butt OF the
gun BORE and metal wedge was inserted to Keep
the cartridge box III Its place. The gun was then
fired by pouring powder on the wedge and Irn2 1t
with match or lnstOck.
large foundry for casting heavy ordnance has
been recently erected. IL Is pressed brick edice,
presenting quite an imposing appearance, and Is
provided with all the necessary machinery for cast
ing fifteen inch guns. Orders were just received to-
day to get the foundry in readiness for work. which,
| It is thought will be commenced within two or
| three weeks.
During the past fortnight board Of officers. con.
sisting OF Captain Reynolds, Commander Nicholson.
Commander X. X. Breese. United states Navy and
Captain T1ltOn and Lieutenant Reed, OF the Ma
rine Corps has been In session at the yard for the
| purpose OF selecting a breechoading rlie to be
adopted In the navy.
The ordnance Department Is now engaged in get
ting up the armament for the Lancaster, Citing out
at Norfolk, ana the ammunition for the Saugus and
the Mahopac.