The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-26

The Mysterious Spanish Gunboats-Triai Trip
Of "NO. 4" Observation-Disclosures Position o.
the Administretion-ss They Sail 20
The Spanish mosquito boats again. They have
been buzzing about the OF Secretary Fish, sting
ing the tender skin OF willy diplomats touching the
gentle susceptbiites OF Mr.. sumner and have been
worse than the locusts OF Egypt-a pest generally.
Let all hands 90 down to the foot OF Thirteenth
street. North river, AMI they will there behold this
troublesome swarm yclepr the Mosquito Fleet
Within three months time everything that
can be seen at the Delamater Works
has been accomplished toward pushing
these singular specimens OF marine architecture to
successful completion. Over 500 men are now
employed on the vessels, and the whole scene in
their vicinity Is one Of activity and animation II ia
something it Is true 10 be proud OF in the annals OF
American shipbuidng that a foreign government
should seek our shores as a fitting quarter wherein
to construct, arm and equip nota Of the magni-
tude OF thirty craft. Yet the question occurs did
not Spain make this contract with American con-
struct0r with that subtle diplomacy That has long
distinguished her foreign relations, DID she not
believing that these gunb0ats were to be used IN
American waters. ana that their building
and even their departure from this port
would not be imDeded by the adminIstra-
ton, take fresh confidence IN ordering thirty
Insignificant, and IN naval view, very ordinary
vesseiss IL must seem 30 to every rejecting mind
In the nrst place take survey OF the gunDoats
their dimensions, capacities for offence and defence
ana the probable service for which they are des-
tined.
THE GuNBOATs.
Now lying at the foot OF Thirteenth street, on the
north side of the pier, fifteen OF these marine
insects, with their bows turned towards all points OF
the compass. Painted lavender color. with a full
length fore and aft OF 1O5 leet ana OF tonnage less
than 200 burden, whi en- Is the capacity OF a small
sized canal boat, they present the appearance OF a
very petty SQUADRON, when even compared with the
hermaphr0dite dOube-enders that made conspi-
cuOus failure in the late war. The very fact that
they have been constructed in so short time,
M nhanf Of mir liar nndA and
their striking ttleness furnishes enough assurance
that they can never be other than mean guerias in
a general naval combat, and OF course they
liable to be met in this manner. The boats are not
named, but are numbered from one to fifteen conse
Cutlvely
An examination of any one of them reveals the
characteristics OF al. for they sister vessels.
With moderate breadth OF beam in proportion to
the length, and q very shallow depth OF hold, the
lines OF the hull are not OF course marked by any
degree OF beauty, nor do they snow that any part
cuar style OF model has been adopted. The bows
have little inclination, the stern post being almost
perpendicular. About the stern the lines resemble
the mind quarters OF a beef. and break ao-
the area very cramped, as may be
fire room, just forward of amdshps furnished with
horizontal tubular gunDoat boiler. built at the Del
amater Works. Just abaft is the oscating engine,
ther aft can be found the cabin. AS this apartment
is designed to accommodate several officers with
state rooms, 1t Is evident that Spanish economy has
contemplated some reduction in the human frame.
AS a human habtatOn these quarters are rldicu-
iOuSlY small. Above decks ascend TWO Spar5, the
foremost and mainmast, with rake that calls TO
mind the East India privateers The smoke stack Is
an ordinary funnel, stayed to the same angie as the
spars. The vessels when complete, will carry only
fore and main sails 0re and aft salls, with TWO ga
tOpsails and jiU
The armament to consist of 100 FOUNDER Parrot
rife, mounted as pivot gun forward. The white
and live oak OF which the craft are built Will vibrate
somewhat under the recoil of these monsters.
THE TRIAL TRIP OF NO. YESTERDAY
Gunboat No. started yesterday afternoon on her
trial trip up the North river. She assembled the
as 90 "a a nni w r nn
admirably and her success for the purposes Tor
which she was designed being complete. The reve
was on the scent TO detect any seward tendency OF
the scOw, and 1t IS needless TO without success
hour without a null pressure This trip established
the value OF the initial boat, whatever that may be-
though, for the designs aimed at everything sought
has been accomplished.
THE UNITED STATES MARsHAL's POSITION.
Marshal Barlow Is tranquil. change has ''come
DER the spirit Of his Dreams" He no longer looks
pale and detected the relative interests OF Spain
and Cuba. Some three weeks ago q dark-eyed
patriot OF the land OF Isons made him a cOmmuncs
ton, IN which, representing his agency with the
spanish Minister he said that no attempt on the
part of the owners would be made to clandestInely
remove the vessels from the harbor. This gentle
man then repaired to Washington, and, 1t Is sup
posed has since been in correspondence with Secre
tary Fish There Is certainly no evidence abroad
that the Spanish government desires the gunboats
leave, IN defiance OF the Cabinet at Washington.
The impression prevails that no power on the part
OF the authorities deain the boats, and there
no reason Tor doubling Its good sense when 1t IL
that Jul TeldtiouS Will opdIu
that Cuba Is not belligerent and other friendly
point is threatened with their attack. 1t Is probable,
then, that each OF these funny craft will sal upon
their completion, which Will be inside Of q month.
No law can enjOin tnem
For whatever service they are destined II can
hardly he TRANSATLANTIC; for good breeze and a
high sea would bury them IN Davy Jones locker.
more puerile fleet as q weapon OF offence was
within the indignity of any nation 10 project,
the lot OF any builder to construct. But fifteen
more are 10 be added to the swarm, and their con-
strucuon is rapidly going forward at Mystic Conn.
Harmony.
the Navy Department, and is In charge Of she
nota at the Delamater Works.