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

Affairs AT the Charlcstowu Navy Yard-The
Work Going on Activcly-Thc New ships
Commodore Rodgers to BIO Relieved TO
Command the China Squadron.
BOSTON, Oct. a. 1869.
do not know whether It Is owing to an anxiety
70 prepare our naval forces for any eventually that
may arise, or whether 1t ia merely the Inauguration
Of o new system OF keeping the navy In complete
order at all times instead OF allowing It to dete-
rorate 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 OF busy stir ana activity
much resembling the days Of the rebellion, when a
new navy was being created ana 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 IL So too IN the New
York and Philadelphia yards where an unusual
number OF men are at work and great number Of
vessels being lifted out for active service at sea-
Even the Kittery yard, in Maine Is daily growing In
importance In consequence OF the inability Of the
large yards to accomplish the work imperativey
demanded OF them. All this is encouraging, II we
are to have a 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 ct the most un-
fortunate period that they could possibly select.
serrano and his ministry are forever performing
some act 10 draw or the attention OF tho people
from their own weakness, and to unite them on
their side when thin 60 look bad for them. The
nuA
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
tainiy true mat the spansrds would ike to light Inc
Americans even II they were to receive terrible
defeat Taat y thing they never dreamed o. ana
OF The future. This being the case, and although
such q war would be 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
that IL by means In the highest state OF efficiency;
but all is being done now that can be to get IL
into tocrable condition. The navy OF the future IA
yet 70 be built and Is 10 be hoped that - Fox and
some genuine men-0f-war built that shall be fast,
comfortable and thoroughly efficient
In The Cnarestown Navy Yard they are fitting out
the steam corvette Alaska, and she IL 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 q large,
roomy ship, and promises to be one OF the bost
cruisers In the service Her propeller can be hoisted
4,
60 under sail alone she will doubtless prove
very fast under canvas, a. her model Is beautiful
knots without pressing. AS yet her Officers have
not been ordered 70 her. The corvette Nantasket,
seven guns, finished, and her officers have been
ordered TO her. Lieutenant Commander Il. p Lull
Will command her. The other officers thus far ordered
are Lieutenant Cyrus W. Breed; Masters George
A. Stone. A. .. wycof and WIN. ii. Everett; Passed
Assistant Paymaster, Henry +. Wright aud First
ment Of officers viii soon be ordered, and the ship
will be placed In commission before the 1st Of
November lhe Nantasket is o regular clipper built
craft bearing heavy battery, and promises to be
that ' has ssr been invented, and she Certainly H
regime the old-iashioned speaking trumpet
seems to have gone out OF date, and instead or
that useful instrument we have tin tubes running
be whispered. A bell aflxed IN the tops is con-
nected by wire to the deck, and attention Is thus
called 70 the tube when an order Is to be given:
The binnacles are towering monuments OF brass and
mahogany. and the compass for obtaining ranges,
scss ne rom 1 20
and striking features are TO be observed the
deck OF this craft, and II she does not prove to be
an extraordinary vessel there 10 no virtue In new
the doube-turreed monitor Terror late Aga.
nna s'sr sp % s sss aaS
her powerful battery may be needed, The
OF q foreign squadron. The celebrated frlgate
Niagara, built BY the late George Steers Is being
torn to pieces, to be built up again a. broadside
iron.oad that being the only use she be put to-
She will, doubtless, make . tremendous lighter, as
she has speed and size. The corvette SHENANDOAH
second rate ten guns 10 In the dry dock. being re-
planked and thoroughly built up. she was always
popular cruiser. The corvette Tic0nderoga second
rate nine guns, Ii receiving extensive repairs, and
will soon be ready for The corvette Worces.
ter thirteen guns, second rate late Maniteu IL well
advanced, aud will be ready TO 20 into commission
In about six weeks She Is Of the same class as the
Albany and Severn, The corvette Monongahela,
ten guns Is expected here tomorrow In tow OF the
Tallapoosa: but as the yard has ~ much work
to the Portsmouth Klery yard for speedy repairs
The store ship Supply Is ready for sea- She viii take
supplies to the European squadron; and II Is under
stood that Commander Oscar Il. Stanton Will be
ordered 10 assume command OF her. the storeship
Guard Is expected here to discharge her cargo OF
olive oil for the steam machinery OF the navy She
has just arrived In New York from the European
squadron Commodore John Rodgers Is 10 be re-
lieyed OF the command OF the Charlestown yard by
Commodore Charles Steedman, the 18TH December
next Commodore Rodgers Will be promoted TO
be Rear Admiral before January, and viii proceed
In February, In the frigate Colorado, 70 take CON-
mand OF the China squadron.
But Will reserve for another letter other naval
news OF interest to the public, including On account
OF The court martial now IN session on the case OF
Lieutenant Commander Secly, which has attracted
some interest throughout the country
Court Martial Of Lieutenant Commander
seeiy.
BOSTON, Oct. is, 1892
Thu nf nj