The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-16
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

Affairs AT the Chnrlcst0wn Navy Ynrd-The
Work Going on Actively-The New ships
Commodore Rodgers TO DO Relieved 10
Command the China Squadron.
BOSTON, Oct IA, 1862
J! 10 not know whether 1t Is owing to an anxiety
prepare naval forces for any eventually that
may arise, or whether 1t is merely the Inauguration
OF new system OF keeping the navy in complete
order at all times, instead OF allowing 1t to dete-
riorate and decay that such extraordinary activity
is displayed in all the navy yards OF the United
States. For one or the other reason the Charles
town yard is the scene OF busy stir ana activity,
much resembling the days Of the rebellion, when q
new navy was being created and kept in q state
OF efficiency. Nearly three thousand men are en-
gagged now In laboring In the various departments
OF the yard; the docks are filed all the time with
vessels undergoing repairs; the machine shops are
alive with artisans, and in every place we observe
evidences OF ceaseless toll and jealous activity At
no time since the war has so much been done,
and the amount OF work laid out promises little
idleness In the future This Is so. too, in the New
York and Philadelphia yards, where an unusual
number Of men are at work and great number OF
vessels being fitted out for active service sea.
Even the Kttery yard, In Maine, is daily growing in
importance In consequence of the inability Of the
demanded OF them. All this is encouraging, If we
are to have q brush with Spain. an event likely
to be precipitated for any cause at any
moment by the hotheaded Dons, who are
sure to do the most foolish thing at the most un-
fortunate period that they could possibly select.
Serrano and his ministry are forever performing
some act 10 draw Off the attention OF the people
from their own weakness, and to unite them on
their side when thin gs look bad for them. The
Cadiz and Malaga ''revoltsn last winter were mere
schemes to consolidate their power, and now that
real revolution is threatening the dominion they
are just as likely to declare war against the United
States as to do anything less POPULAR for 1t s GER
any true that the Spanards would like to fight the
Americans, even II they were to receive o terrible
defeat. That is thing they never dreamed or, ana
OF The future. This being the case, and although
such war would be q thing to be regretted, 1t Is
point as well as we may be- 1t Is no secret with
persons familiar with the true state OF the navy
but all Is being done now that can be to get 1t
into tolerable condition The navy OF the future Is
yet to be built and II Is to be hoped that Fox aud
sherwood are now out OF control, we shall have
some genuine men-of-war built that shall be fast,
comfortable ana thoroughly efficient
In The Cnarlestown Navy Yard they are fitting out
the steam corvette Alaska, and she is now almost
ready for her crew. The Alaska Is a second class
screw and, ike all the vessels now being fitted out
ship rugged carrying twelve guns She Is large,
roomy SNIP and promises to be one OF the best
in the service Her propeller can be holsed
60 under sail alone she will doubtless prove
very fast under canvas, as her model Is beautiful
Knots without pressing. AS yet her Officers have
not been ordered To her. The corvette Nantasket,
guns. ls finished, and her officers have been
ordered to her Lieutenant Commander L. p Lull
will command her. The other officers thus far ordered
are Lieutenant Cyrus W. Breed; Masters, George
b. l.. Brud and George A. Badly; Enslgns, Charles
A. Stone. A. o. Wycofr and VIM. ii. Everett Passed
Assistant Paymaster Henry T. Wright, and First
Assistant Engineer, John Roop. The full compile
m N n I'm ani
will be placed In commission before the lst Of
November. The Nantasket is o regular clipper built
that has 6ser been invented, and she Certainly n
queer Uadsr the
seems to have gone out OF date and Instead OF
that useful instrument we have tin tubes running
from deck to the tops, through which orders are to
be whispered. bell affxed in the tops is con-
nected by wire to the deck, and attention is thus
called 10 the tube when an order Is to be given.
The bnnaces are towering monuments OF brass and
mahogany and the compass for obtaining ranges,
placed on the poop deck, WIN serve TO distinguish
the Nantasket from any other ship adoat. 0tner
and striking features are TO be observed on the
deck OF this craft and II she does not prove to be
an extraordinary vessel there IL no virtue In new
the double turreted monitor Terror, late Aga
mentious sister ship to the Mla ,n1oa
she can be on her way to any point where
her powerful battery may be needed. the
OF a foreign squadron The celebrated frgate
Niagara built by the late George Steers, is being
torn to pieces, to be built up again as a broadsde
ironolad that being the only use she can be put to.
She will doubtless make q tremendous fighter, as
she has speed and size. The corvette shenandoah,
second rate, ten guns, is In the dry dock being
pianked and thoroughly built up. She was always
popular cruiser. The corvette Tlconderoga, second
rate nine guns, is receiving extensive repairs and
Will soon be ready for sea. The new corvette Worces
ter thirteen guns second rate, late Mautou Is well
advanced, aud will be ready TO go into commission
In about six weeks. She Is OF the same class the
Albany and Severn. The corvette Monongahea,
ten guns, Is expected here tomorrow In tow OF the
Tallapoosa: but az the yard has as much work
now as eau be attended TO she will be at sent
to the Portsmouth or Kttery yard for speedy repairs
supplies to the European squadron; and 1t Is under
stood that Commander Oscar f. stanton viii be
ordered TO assume command OF her. Tho storeshp
Guard Is expected here TO discharge her cargo or
olive oil for the steam machinery OF the navy. she
has just arrived In New York from the European
squadron. Commodore John Rodgers is TO be re-
lieved OF the command OF the Charestown yard by
Commodore Charles Steedman, the 18TH December
next Commodore Rodgers Will be promoted 10
be Rear Admiral before January, and VIII proceed
In February, In the frigate Colorado, 10 take com
mand OF the China squadron.
But Will reserve for another letter other naval
news OF Interest to the public including an account
OF The court martial now IN session on the case OF
Lieutenant Commander Seey, which has attracted
some interest throughout the country.
Court Martial of Lieutenant Commander
Seeiy.
BOSTON, Oct. u.s. 1859.
TO-