The New York herald., 1869-12-29
NAVAL INTELLlGEVCE.


The United States sloop-ofwar Albany steamed up
TO the Navy Yaro from her late anchorage OF the
Battery on Monday evening. she viii have new
Dowsprit built aud ioretopmast put on her after
which she will be again ready for cruising.
The sloop-of-war Benecia. Captain Nicholson, Is
lying ouietiy at the buoy on the "Cob Dock,n Navy
Yard, where She will probably remain for a month
yet.
The ron-clad Miantonomon is also in commission
at this station and likely to remain unemployed for
some time TO come.
The morning return OF the commandant shows that
there 2907 men employed in the several depart
ments OF labor ia the yard. The vessels fitting out
and undergoing repairs are six in number The
most advanced OF these Is the splendid steam frigate
Colorado intended for the East India squadron,
which Ill be IN readiness for commission by the
latter part OF January. Captain George ii. Cooper
has been ordered TO report for command OF the Colo
rado on the LIST OF January, 1870. No other officers
as yet have been detailed for her.
The storeship Guard Is undergoing pretty gen
eral oyerhauling ana Will be ready for sea in about
three weeks time. She will accompany the Darien
surveying party, carrying supplies, &C. she Is
stanch sailing vessel, and was until recently at
taohed TO the Mediterranean squadron.
The fourth rate soop OF war lantc Ia on the dry
dock receiving needed repairs. She VIII be ready
for service the LIST OF February. Her destna-
ton has not been determined.
The steam irlgate Guerrere, late nagship OF the
South Atlantic squadron, which went out OF commls-
sion last summer, has had new spar deck built
upon her and other alterations are being perfected
with view TO having her available for sea by the
beginning OF March next She carries an armament
OF twenty-five guns
The fine Old sidewnee steam sloop- Of war Susque-
hanna IL being altered into a propeller. she has a
very good 1--we oak frame ana the change IN her pre-
sent arrangements will admit OF her carrying a bat-
terry OF twenty-five guns. she IS not ordered Tor sea
immediately.
Tne Tennessee. formerly known as the Madawa
Is having spar deck built upon her and other alter
ations are being made which will add greatly 10 her
accommodations
A new feature has been iDaugurated in the work
Ing corps OF the Brooklyn Navy Yard, pursuant to
recent instructions OF The Navy Department which
WILL II is believed, operate most advantageously TO
the interests ol the government IN the urtberance
OF JudlcOus system OF economy In labor and ITS
cost. Commander Benham has organized force OF
w0rkmen termed ''Lhe ordinary corps,n consisting
OF fifty men, These latter are employed for the
purpose OF moorng and unmooring vessels Ia ordl.
nary ana otherwise Tor hauling ship alongside the
dock, for dsmantIing, NC, and doing such
work ~ was heretofore performed Dy aborers
and riggers VINO received from So TO s4 so per
oieln. These men are not regularly enlisted but
they sign an agreement to do such work as may be
required OF them, and receive as compensation
twenty dollars per month and u ration. Tney are
quariered temporarily on board the Vermont, but
VIII shortly be assigned TO other vessel which
will be set apart specially for Their use. THIS ar
rangement enables the equipment department to
dispense with the services O1 several iabOrers and
Others, and furnishes body OF men at low rates
who can be made available as "hre brigade" at
night, IN The event OF an emergency for their SER
vices being required as Such One objection with
several good old seamen, who would fain stay
ashore and join this latter branch OF the ''nome
service,n lies IN the fact that the wages are TOO
small.
The threc-turreted IRON clad Roanoke has so far
advanced IN being fitted out that SIX lifteen-lnch
guns, her tu armament will be put OH board III the
course OF to-day.