The New York herald., 1869-05-16
FOREIGN MEN.OF.WAR In PORT.

rVhLlUN MLN-Or. An IN HVHAas
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Arrival Of the French Frigate Semiramis and
Swedish Corvette Geae-Their Dimensions,
Appearance, Armaments, Voyages and On.
cers-Interesting Particulars.
The spacious harbor Of New York Is sought for as
lounging place OF the naval cruisers OF the world
At times the men -ofwar Of every cline have found
anchorage IN its waters and their officers pleasant
wanderings shore. They have come from the
frozen climes OF the North, and climes where
earliest histories are strongly imbued with
the nueS OF the Orient; from the lands
OF the Arabian Nights and OF the adventures
Of Snbad the Sailor. They have invariably
fingered here this arena of stirring, practical fe
as long the utmost latitude Of their orders
allowed them TO- In this harbor have been the
naval representatives Of countries where the King
OF Ice Is always supreme; where fOgs are always
natural; and where burning sands, green cases.
tinkling caravans, mosques, fountains and bazaars
are found-from lands Of mysterious religious
rites, from lands
Where the olive and myrtle
Arc emblem. Of deed; &c :h.. are done S in in, their %
Now melt into sorrow madden with crime.
These representatives have ever been welcome
and an instance can hardly be recorded when men,
of-war have cast anchor under the shadow Of this
city but what the kindest receptions, in many
the fair fame for hospitality which the metropolis
has achieved ana deserved.
or late, however, naval visitors In this port on
board large and unique craft have been but few.
Within six months occasional vessels have spun
into our broad bay but their stay has been but Tor
few days at the greatest. Yesterday, in great but
favorable comparison with bygone months the
anchors OF both French and Swedish naval We ssels
were dropped or ''cast" within biscuit toss Of
Castle Garden. These crafts respectively here
noted
THE FRENCH FRIGATE SEMIRAMIs.
This vessel Of the imperial navy, although not new
to our citizens has always been welcome visitor.
Its officers are, without exception, tried nautical
gentlemen, who have previously found safe ports OF
refuge in many Of the more important harbors OF
the world, but atterlv have been on duty among
the West India Islands, where, as belonging TO the
flagship they have exhausted period OF two years.
Recently its officers, OF whom Rear Admiral Baron
Megnet, the commandant OF the French West India
squadron is chief, received the genial pleasant OFF,
cia missive that they were relieved and In obe-
dience to this order they are homeward bound to
the shores OF sunny France" to be relieved and the
ship lad up.
As the Semiramis lies at anchor or pier No. 2
North river her proportions and armament attract
many observers. She went into commission on the
1st OF June, 1867, and the 1sn Of that month left
Rochefort one OF the strongest fortified places in
France proceeding directly TO her port OF destina
ton stopping howeyer IN this aroor r FOR %s view Jew
Indies, where among the several ports where French
residents are to be found she mas been protecting
their interests and upholding the name OF the EN-
pire.
particularly as a specimen OF naval architecture,
but she has the evidence Of being commanded
by experienced naval officers and gentlemen whose
tastes commendable IN divers points, The Semi
ramis built OF WOOD 275 feet long, 45 feet breadth
OF beam 81 feet depth OF hold, and Is about 1000
tons burden. Her motive power consists OF two
in diameter and strokes OF piston OF feet inches
Her armament consists OF thirty guns, both
smooth and rife bores capable OF vomiting forth
solid shot and shell OF enormous weight N0twith-
standing Q clumsy, bulging bow, and the almost
total absence OF fine architectural lines, 1t Is claimed
that this craft can accomplish nine and ten Knots
Everything on board gives evidence OF high de-
gree OF discipline; every rope Is In its appropriate
kitchen floor, tue side arms Of the crew FURNISHED
brightly and the brasses Of the machinery glisten-
ing like mirrors.
During the period OF her cruise In the waters
peatedy visited the many ports which the interests
OF French citizens demanded Among them have
been Martinique, Les Saintes, 81. Domingo, 81
Martin Jamaica, Havana and Santiago de Cuba. In
these ports respectively, she has remained at anchor
for weeks and months when necessary, nt repre-
sensitive OF LA Belle France"
HER OFFICERS.
The officers OF the Semirams are as follows:-
Co,nmonder-ta-Chter or West india squadron
Captdin IN Comyndnd-Pasquer de Franchien.
CdDtdin Of Ff'igote-Guy0n.
ItryD,dstes' of Mdr1nes-Surlense.
PdyIldster QT Ndrdt DtUtst0tt-Curiauit
.SuT0eon--Vesco.
DoriOr-Bocharde.
Assistant DoctOf--Audajer.
Lieutenant ana cher or Stdf-Guerin Duvivie.
Lieutenant and Aide. de-Cdmp-De Cuverille.
Ensign and Aide-de-Cdmp-De Lagrene.
Lieuiendnts-Nicho, Duchet, Moye, Pajot de Mar
cheval DE Lapierre, Raoul.
Adiptrdps Cterk-Dusser.
Assistant Cierk-Boet.
Chief Enqfneer-Mongen.
MidshtpUlen-Chann, Jacquennis lie Long, Csan-
tic, Buffet, Chandehorde, Gilbert, Guenr.
THEIR RANK.
Many Of these gentlemen representatives OF
the nobility OF France, but contrary to peculi
tons in this country some OF these officers are APP
pointed from other than the higher classes Of so
ciety, n the Emperor Napoleon has made II a dis
tinct point OF his reign that the laurel wreath OF q
naval officers position Is within the reach OF any
meritorous lad IN the empire and such of these as
are this vessel were found to be gentlemen OF cul
ture aud intelligence.
THE FRENCH WEST INDIA SQUADRON.
The various vessels OF that are portion OF this
squadron and that have arrived with the frigate
semiramis In the waters OF the Spanish MAN, are
the tenders D'Estrees, Commander des varonnes,
six guns; Bouvet, Lieutenant de Montpezat, tour
guns, and Curieux, Lieutenant Izarn, four guns.
These have been acting In concert with the dag