The New York herald., 1869-12-12
THE SPANISH FLOTILLA.
Preparations for DcIarture-Scenes at
the Foot of Thirteenth Street.-The
cautions Against Raid-De-
scriptiOn of the Vessels.

The Spanish gunboats are rapidly preparing for
sea- and eighteen OF them win leave in q snort time
for Havana. These have already received nearly
their entire outfit, few hours only being necessary
TO complete them. All lie together in the dock be-
tween Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, with
planks extending their decks, afrording pas
sage above the bulwarks across thirteen OF Them.
The scene at this place yesterday was OF the most
animated description. Several OF the gunbcats
had steam up, and o large force oi work
men were busily engaged in putting The
finishing touches on the vessels while gangs OF
laborers were hurriedy conveying furniture,
parts OF rigging hammocks, coils OF hose and other
equipment on board Carts heavily loaded with
coal were detached from the horses, hosted by the
derrick our over the gunpoats and dumped into the
hold, and cords OF dry pine wood FOR starting fires
were swung over the heads OF the spectators and
workmen in a similar manner. A number OF young
Spanish officers from the Pizarro were all day
scrambIng the gunboas to inspect their future
quarters, and everything was conducted with
degree OF hustle and excitement that brought
vlvidly 10 mind some OF the scenes about the
wharves during the late war. The presence OF the
gun carriages on the vessels gave quite warike
aspect affairs, and 1t was not diGncult TO imagine
the dissatisfaction and uneasiness OF the Cubans at
the hurrying preparations.
A large crowd OF spectators was present through
ont the day, attracted by the report that of the
Clnboats would go out on trial trip. The smoke
issuing from the tunnels OF some OF the vessels
encouraged TINS belief; but 1t seems that fires were
only kindled to get the engines in perfect working
order preliminary 10 their departure. Previous
trials have satisfied the Spanish officials respecting
the gunboats and II Is not probable that any OF
them VIII leave the wharves until all OF the
eighteen are ready TO proceed TO Cuba. These
Will be oihcered from the Pizarro which brought
thirty-sx officers for this purpose. Engineers
boats reach Havana they Will receive their guns,
ammunition, crews and full complement of officers
sparched the remaining twelve viii De speedily
completed. 1t ls understood that the whole num-
per- thirty in all. were contracted for with Mr.. Della
mater for $500, 000 in gold
The contract for these vessels was signed on the
80 OF May last and on the 10Th the first kee was laid
The first gunDoat launched June % ana the last
on September 3, at which time fifteen OF
the vessels had received their engines and
boilers. The gunboats ares all constructed
compactness and convenience Their dimensions
are lo7 feet in length on the water line, - 1eet
inches BEAM 1eet depth OF hold, and feet II
inches draugnt OF water The lines are full at the
bow in order 10 afford space and s0lldity for the
ran a low, heavy timber bulwark, lined with sheet
iron and provided with water ways. has been substl-
The ub stay dispensed with in order to admit OF
the gun being fired on line with the keel and in
Ns stead are two separate stays attached to the
DulWarkS, one on each quarter. Under canvas a
temporary jb stay is secured to shacke boted TO
the outside OF the stem. The engines very
powerful for their size, and the twin screws rest in
adjustable bearings OF new and peculiar character.
Ine coal bunkers are located each side OF the
boilers and extend forward and aft CT the cenre OF
dlsplacement- The magazine Is between the engine
room and cabin, and IN addition to being lined with
lead aud covered outside with sheet ron has three
different appliances for oodlng case Of re. The
quarters OF the crew are forward OF the boilers ana
next 10 the shell room which Is located under the
DOW gun Inc armory Is entered 1rom the CABIN and
has racks for thirty carbines, thirty revolyers
and number OF cutlasses, ilatchets pixies &C
Arrangements are provided Tor carrying 100 rounds
for the pivot gun. The cabin Is handsomely fur- |
nished and the gunboats, with their raEnQ masts |
and wire rigging, look more ike pleasure yachts |
than vessels or war. TWO trial trips have been |
had-0ne IN September TO West Point and the other
IN October. AT the latter trial the gunpoat ran from
Fourteenth street 10 l29h street ana return making
the frst run OF 5sl statute miles against the tide IN
thrtytwo minutes thlrty-ilve seconds, and return
Ing in twenty nine minutes thirty-hve seconds-a
total OF IL 81 miles slxtvtwo minutes ten seconds
Captain Rafaei oe Aragon has Represented the
Spanish government III experimenting The con-
structlon of the gunooats
There is stlll considerable apprehension Of at.
tempt by CuDans to lnJure or destroy the gunooats,
and every precautlon Is taken to prevent any sucn
casualty large number Of watchmen sre kept
constantly on duty, and IN addition 10 the Spanish
war steamer which lies with her oroadsdes bearing
on the gunboats a tug, with hOwitZer on board IS
OF the vessels IL lS impossible Tor any serious
damage TO be done TO the gUnDoats, however bold
the attempt might be and there Is every probability
that all OF the gdnboats VIII soon be on duty crus-
Ing around the island OF Cuba.
The CuDans seem 70 have abandoned all hope OF
preventing the departure OF the gunboats and
speak despondenty OF their cause These vessels,
they say, VIII encirce the revolution as vita an
Iron hoop shutting out all assistance and stipg the
young republic. Their chief trouble il, however, at
the attitude assumed by the JlIed States IN re-
leasing the gunDoats, and they argue that no re-
lance can now be placed upon any Official action
oelDg taken on their behalf.