The New York herald., 1869-05-07
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.


|
Dispatches from the European aud Asiatic
| SQuadrOns..
WASHINGTON, May o. 1859.
The Navy Department has dispatches from Rear
| Admiral william RadfOrd, commanding the Eu-
ropean squadron, dated Cadiz, April IL. at which
port ne had just arrived In the Franklin from Lisbon
while the Franklin was ut Lisbon she was visited by
the King OF Portugal ana the Ministers and Repre-
OF the various governments resident at that
place. The Richmond arrived at Carragena, Spain,
March Q, and left about the 10th for Athens The
Kenosho sailed from Lisbon on the 4th OF April
Tor Cadiz' Malaga Cartagena barcelona and
other ports OF Spain. The Guard ert Lisbon on
the 80 OF April for Gibraltar, Palermo, Naples,
Clvita Vecchia ana Spezza. She expected
70 reach the last named place BY the last week OF
| May and 10 remain there until further orders. The
| Swatara sailed from CadIz April IN for PhIladel-
phia The following transfers Of offcers have been
made ~ the squadron:-Lieutenant ii. G. White. de
tacned from the Guard and ordered TO the Franklin
| 70 MI vacancy; Ensign J. L. Stickney, detached
from the Froic and ordered to the Guard; Midship-
men J. +. Moses and T. T. Wood, detached from the
| oWataIa ana ordered to the KenOshO. Rear Ad.
miral Radford reports that ne found at Lisbon the
English Channel squadron, under command OF Vice
AdInlrai sir Ih0mas M. Sym0nds X. q. b. consisting
OF eight large, powerful roncad ships some OF theni
he Is informed having speed OF fourteen knots
under steam alone One OF them. while The Frank
lin was there was sent to the assistance OF a
large timber laden, water0gged ship, and tOwed her
| iHIo poTt apdlHsJ u 5bfOng W1nd. On the 14th OF
April the Spanish iron-cad frigate Victoria sailed
| from Cadlz for Havana. The Spanish government
| troops sent from Cadiz.
| Rear Admiral Rowan, under date OF Whampoa
March reports our vessels of the Asiatc squadron
stationed as f0llows;-The Piscataqua, flagship at
| Whampoa ;the Idaho at Nagasak: the Oneida, Mono
| cacy and lroquois at Hong Kong; the AshuelOt at
| Yokohama; the ArOostOok and Maurnee at Hioge
Japan. The Unadilla Is stationed near FOochO0 and
Annoy, China.
GOsport Navy Ynrl-Shops Being Rebuilt
The Proposed Improvements-vesseIs Fit
ting Out.
NORFOLK, Va, May g, 1859.
Few places completely destroyed during the late
rebellion have experienced greater change for the
better than the GOsport Navy Yard. This yard Is
more familiarly known as the Norfolk Navy Yard,
although 1t is on the opposite size OF the river from
Norfolk and much closer to Portsmouth, being in the
village of Gosport, which IS suburb of Portsmouth
1t WILL perhaps, be remembered that in 1862 when
the rebels evacuated Norfolk and Portsmouth,
they made pretty thorough work OF the de-
structlon OF this yard and the splendid vessels
anchored near 1t. Every building with one or two
unimportant exceptions, was literally left heap OF
stones and perfect tangle OF iron machinery. All
the vessels were burned scutted and repeated ef-
forts were made to ruin the magnificent dry dock,
which, owing to the sOlidity of construction were
fortunately, unsuccessful.
charge Of this post have accomplished wonders since
the latter part OF 1858. when the work OF renovation
commenced. Once more it presents the appearance
of large and thriving naval station. 10 sum up in
few words, the greater part Of the buildings have
been rebuilt, the dry dock has been repaired new
dock engine has been erected, all except two Of the
sunken vessels have been raised and the yard has
been restored to neatness and good order.
Before proceeding to notice more IN detail the op-
eratl0nS here 1t may not be amlss to mention the
hopes that are indulged concerning this yard.
"a 1arn ~
station and depot cannot admit Of doubt. 1t Is
situated on the inland side OF Hampton Roads, one OF
the very best and safest narbOrs In the country and
has very extensive water fr0ntOn stream that will
float vessels OF the heaviest draught 1t Thoroughly
protected by Fortress Monroe and the Rip Kaps
from attack by sea and can be easily fortified against
assault by land. plan has been projected for not
only extending the limits OF the yard, but for
lareing considerably its constructive capacity The
plan involves the erection OF two large snip houses
the extension OF the dry dock SO as to receive the
larger class OF vessels, the construction OF
two additional dry docks, the building OF several
more shops and storehouses, the construction OF a
rlver to give straight line TO the wharves, and
more extensive water front and an enlargement or
Whether all these improvements VIII be allowed
by Congress Is by no means certain. The board OF
ofcers appointed 10y the secretary to visit ana in
spect the navy yards OF the country consisting OF
Admirals Stribling and Lardner and Commodore
proposed improvements very carefully; and IL Il
believed that the board Will recommend the exten-
The following vessels are now fitting out here:
the sloop-0f-war Dale, eight guns, 32-pounders
intended to be used as practice ship BY
for service. She has been extensively repaired and
some alterations have been made on her gun deck |
to facilitate the instructions OF the cadets. There
Is another slOOpof-war mere undergoing repairs to l
be used for practice at the Naval Academy-the sa.
vannah, wing fourteen guns. Both these vessels L
Will be ready for duty about the beginning of next
month.
The screw steamer Lancaster is receiving a gen.
eral ana thorough reconstruction. She was placed |
in the dry dock about four weeks ago anu had her |
bottom newly coppered. She taken out on |
saturday. Her machinery Is now being put in a |
new spar deck and bulwarks are Deng constructed |
and the wardroom Is being altered in accordance |
with the recent orders from the Navy Department
drawing sharper line OF distinction between |
officers OF the line and star and warrant officers.
alterations IN the ocers quarters it may be of i'm.
terest TO your nautical readers TO have idea OF
the new arrangement. The old wardro0m has been |
divided by new bukhead near che after stairway.
The first wardroOm contains the staterooms OF |
the following oficers:-On the starboard side |
are the executive ofllcer, navigation officer, |
senior oficer Of the watch and Officers OF the deck
according rank. On the port side the chief en-
gineer, paymaster, surgeon and the other officers OF
the watch The second wardroom Is being lifted up |
with stateroOms, 10 be occupied by the following
second assistant engineers, and on the port side the
assistant surgeon ana first assistant engineers. Be-
yond the second wardroom a large saloon Is being
fitted up each side for the accommodation OF the
warrant officers The admiral and commaDdant
and fleet captain will occupy cabins on the spar
deck IL Is expected that the Lancaster VIII be
ready for in about two months when 1t is
thought she will be the flagship OF the admiral COM
manding the North Atlantic squadron. she will |
carry an armament Of twenty.eight guns. Her ma.
chinery Is being made here, while her ordnance aud
ordnance stores are being prepared ut the Washing
ton yard
Tie steamer saco Is still laying up here. She had
been serving with the North Atlantic squadron up to
last January, when she was brought mere and or
dered out OF commission. Here also the winnipee
one OF the useless d0ubleendcrs. she Is riding mere
prey 10 the corrosive properties OF the salt water
and the destructive action Of the wind and rains,
The only other vessels laying up here are two
large draught tug boats. the Mayower and Standish
lne latter Is having her boilers and engine repaired
The steamer TallapOosa arrived here this morning |
from Annapolis, took on lot OF stores and started |
Tor New York this afternoon.
The monitor Saugus was towed in this afternoon. |
she Is to go into the dry dock for bottom repairs.
III Is understood that the seminole will also be here
In day or two from Boston. TO be finished or The
steam sloop Gaena which has been lying OF Fortress
Monroe for day or two past has run into the river