The New York herald., 1869-04-29


and the proper placing OF her masts; the build
ing OF spar deck. Then 1t is to be hoped that she
viii both steam and sail 10 the advantage Of the
government TO which she belongs.
NAVAL PERSONALS.
The resignation or Rear Admiral joseph Smith as
Chief of the Bureau OF Yards and Docks is accepted
to take effect the 1st of May next and lie will
nent court now IN session In the Navy Department.
Captain Daniel Ammen, by direction OF the Presi-
dent, has been appointed Chief OF the Bureau OF
Docks and Yards to take effect on the 1st OF May
Fleet Surgeon j. NJ. FoltZ has been detached from
the European squadron and ordered home. Surgeon
Charles Diversified Is detached from rendezvous duty
at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Ton the 18th of May
ana ordered TO the Franklin as Fleet Surgeon OF the
European squadron.
Lieutenant Commander wm. c. Wise is detached
from the Saugus, with directions to hold himself in
readiness for duty on board the Miantonomo.
Surgeon John Z. Sper is ordered to the Naval Rem
dezyous at The Philadelphia Navy Yard on the 18th
OF May next.
Passed Assistant Paymaster r. b. Rodney and
Assistant Paymaster Frank Bissel are ordered 10
the Philadelphia Navy Yard tor examination for pro-
motion
5. b. Chittenden, OF Brooklyn, has been appointed
a member OF the Board OF Visitors 10 the Naval
Academy. vice Cornelius Vanderbilt, declined
Increase of Working Forcc-Monitors
Saugus and Mahcpac Fitting Ouf-Cnsting
al Heavy Ordnance to Begin-PrOpOsed VOy-
age of the President and Party.
WASHINGTON, April 25, 1869.
At tbe present juncture OF national affairs the
movements recently inaugurated at the Navy De-
partment possess an unusual interest TO those de-
sirOus Of Keeping themselves well informed of pass
ing events. At the close OF the great rebellion the
immense number Of vessels in our navy which were
suddenly bereft OF active duty became source OF
great anxiety to the venerable head or the Navy De-
partment. How to get rid OF them was question
which formed the constant theme Of his
thoughts during the day. and which took the shape
<vl.t
BY dnt Of incessant cogtaton on this momentous
subject the worthy Secretary at last evolved scheme
OF selling them of. The plan was put into opera
ton, and the rap OF the auctioneer's hammer was
heard In most of the maritime cities OF the Eastern
seaboard, until merchants found themselves amply
supplied with cheap vessels steamboat companies
felicated themselves profitable bargains, foreign
Powers reoiced in the possession OF first rate Amer
can iron nclads and the United States Navy was left
with the shattered odds and cnds. comparatively
few OF the vessels that were retained being IN good
seagong condition Our magnificent ,ron-cad feet
was distributed among the several navy yards in
the country, and there permitted to lay exposed to
the ravages of time and weather, without sufficient
care being taken 10 keep them III good repair.
When Admiral Porter was appointed an assistant
to present Secretary OF the Navy he resolved to
do something towards restoring order amid tins
general chaos, and began by lnstituting much
| needed reforms in the personnel OF the navy and
| by making more udicous assignments Of officers.
Before this work was fairy inaugurated, however
| the complexion OF our foreign relations indicated
that active service for the navy was among the pro-
liabilities OF the day. IL became evident TO the Ad-
miral. who has had long experience III detecting the
brewing OF a storm that there was sharp necessity
to look allow and aloft. and prepare TO meet what
| ever emergency might arise Consequently, the past
| two weeks have witnessed busy scenes In naval
| circles Orders and Instructions follow each other
IN rapid succession from the ONCE OF the secretary
the different naval stations throughout the land.
Al the Washington Navy ard, which Is one OF
the most important construction yards IN the coun
| try, the impetus given TO the workshops by the
| recent fitting out orders from the department is
beginning 10 be visible. The force OF workmen has
been Increased 10y the addition OF upwards OF hun
drel hands. The monitor -augus Is being prepared
| for sea aud supplied with large quantity OF fixed
ammunition. The new foundry Is being prepared
| ,or casting guns. New furnaces and rollers are
beino erected for manufacturing sheet COPPER and
| increased activity Is visible on every hand.
| At the present time the following officers are on
| mandant: Captain T. II. Patterson, executive
| officer; Commander j. {. Davis, second executive
Davenport. navigation officer: Commander X. X.
| Breese ordnance officer; Lieutenant Commander
4 IT, l.. I0wison, assistant ordnance Oiflcer; Gun
| ners T.. and G. stewart on ordnance duty;
| Commander J. II. Gihis chief OF equipment
| Payraster A. ". Russell, chez Of provisions and
wnams, q sarSeoH Z. e. G. Dannins as assistant 81 sur
geon: W. II. Shock chief engineer-thls officer has
been ordered the yard Tor duty. but has not yet
| reuOrtedl--C. Ii. Lofnr, chief engineer OF ma
! chnery: W. II. King, hrst assistant engineer, aud
| G. W. Sensner first assistant engineer, assigned TO
| duty here ia connection win irOn-cads.
In front of tne cuardhouse at the entrance TO the
| yard. the guard was drawn up waen your CORE.
| that some pcrsopage was expected VINO welded
more power and carried q greater allowance OF
dignity than your correspondent; lor the guafd was
trebled IN number and each man was ~ neat as
! though lust unpacSed from bdndboN, the whole
! platoon beng decked IN their gaudiest
| ana most gtterng uniforms. one two
| questions solved the whole mystery. The
prcsideui OF the United states inc secIetay OF the
Navy, the gallant Admiral acting as he assistant ond
| ana u nuInDer Of friends accompanied 10y Nrs.
Grant the children and several lady friends, were
expected ~ embark on me steamer laapOOsa ~ the
| ward for pleasure trp 20 New York and Boston.
OnpassinG farther through the yard other prepara-
tlors TO receive the distinguished party were visible.
The officers arrayed In fun uniform with epau
lets belts and swords. and deail OF men stood IN
readiness TO IRE salute from battery OF twenty.
AZ the docks we're lying several iron-clads steam.
ers and ugboats The first one visited was the
SaugGs, which was brought up FOR repairs
about ten days ago. THIS vessel is OF the
monitor class, with reyoving tnrret within
guns The machinery IS being oyerhaued asd
put IN good running order. the portholes IN the
,sIet are being widened and tue vessel + reeelyng y
expected that she win be ready for service by the
middle OF next week. The officers have been ordered
10 report and coal provisions and ammunition VII
be taken IN as soon a. the repairing s 1nshed. The
| Saugus VIII be commanded by Commander James
T. fyne. Her supply OF ammunition VII consist M Of
shot, six spherical steel shot, ten cans OF grape anu
ten OF canister besides twenve i've iIiuct snes, ,o.
! Mahopac, similar In sue and construction to tue
saugus. The Mahopac VIII be hauled IN Tor repaiis
| when the Saugus IL finished. At present her
machinery L. disconnected. and the valves packed 10
| preserve them from injury during the winter.
/ ORDERS have been given 10 put her machinery IN
/ running order and wait further instructions. The
| Mahopac IL also armed with two 15-inch Daghrens.
Near the Mahopac Il the veteran monitor Montauk,
whose turret bears the scars OF numerous actions
She also viii need great deal OF repairing 10 III her
for active service. No orders have yet been received
for her renovation, but II Is believed that all the ser
yiceable ron-clads will lie refttcd.
| lust outside OF these monitors are two light
| iraught iron-C Cads-thc Casco and Chino. These
vessels were constructed "a experiments IN the effort
| 10 secure an iron-cad that would carry as heavy
! ordnance as the original style Of monitors and be
! able 10 navigate shallower waters. They proved
failure however, for when they received their guns,
etores and ammunition their decks were sunk foot
4 or two beiow the waters edge. An attempt was
made TO turn them 70 some account by cutting away
the lower twothirds OF the turret and converting
the vessels into torpedo boats Even these altcra-
t,.,ns athnlinh they kent the docks ahnYe Mnter.