The New York herald., 1869-11-21
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
Reports of the Sailing Capacities of Vessels |
Recently Overhnnied and Put in Com- |
mission.

heceuiIy ONtIuuulcu aHu Kut IA SOuAs
mission.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1869.
The Navy Department has recently overhauied
and put TO sea a number OF vessels which were par
TALLY abandoned by the last administration as un-
seaworthy and useless for naval purposes. These
vessels are the Resaca, Nantasket, Severn, Junata
and Swatara. To-day the department received
communications from several OF the commanders or
these vessels, showing that since they have been
overhauled and, IN some respects remodeed, they
not only good seagoing vessels, but remarkably
fast under either canvas or steam. The following
from the commander OF the Severn, Is specimen Of
the reports which have been received:-
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP SEvERS,l
Orr BATTERY, NEW YORK, Now Is. 1869.
SIR-I hereby forward a particular report OF the
action OF this sup on her recent trial trip. The
three hours ana three hours against 1t. she was
put under double reeed topsals single reefed ditto
dragging her screw at rate OF eight and quarter
knots for SIX hours; uncoupled nine and half
knots for six hours. The ship has been under sail
and steam, making 1875 knots. Ran un-
der steam alone, with forty-ive reyou-
York bay under topgaant sails and steam, taking
OIL the real fifteen Knots; log move IN rapid
succession The distance from sandy HOOK to the
measured mile-twelve mlles-was run IN forty five
MINUTES against s,,sr strong eeg N sss saes ka2ts
the WIND. The ship was got under way or the
Hook under canvas, and performed as wen as the
Sabine would have done under the same circum
stances.
take this opportunity OF expressing to the de-
partment my congratulations on the success Of this
nne ship. am confident that she could run across
the Atlantic with fair wind and steam IN less time
tnan any Of the transports now crossing. Under
sail she Is quite capable OF sailing round the world
harbors. To-day the Cunard steamer Nemesis
had to be turned round by a tug-a COM
S.b ssd KIN s .as steamers
conildent 1 could have cauted this ship without
aid sum up by stating that the Severn can now
make from nine to eleven knots on bowline, No
leeway work, easy IN open water, without steam,
and with steam can make fifteen knots, and that
spe IS faster than any have sailed in some n.ty OF
l am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- r. i. LOWRY, Commander T. s. N,
Commanding United States Steamship Severn.
To the Hon. GEORGE NJ. RoBESoN, Secretary United
States Navy, Washington, d. G.
The names of the officers detailed by the Secretary
OF the Navy as a board to examine into and report
upon the differences between the line and stafr of-
cers OF the navy have not the Secretary says, been
correctly published. The following list. which Is cor
rect, has been furnished by Secretary R6beson:-
President. Commander NJ Smith, Chief Of Bureau
for Equipment aud Recruiting. Members-Com-
uon; Commander A. L. Case, Chief OF Bureau OF Ord
nance; captain Daniel Ammen, Chief oil Bureau OF
Yards ana DOCKS; Naval Constructor john Len,nall
Chief OF Bureau OF Construction; surgeon William
Wood, Ghief OF Bureau OF Meelcne and surgery; Pay
master e. 4. Dunn Chief OF Bureau OF Provisions and
Clothing; Chief Engineer j. w. King. Chief OF Bureau
OF Steam Engineering; Captain William Reynolds,
United States Navy; Surgeon n. PlnkDey, United
States Navy.
II viii be observed that the Board is composed OF
five line officers and five STAFF officers 1t was pur-
posely arranged, that there might be no ground
Tor complaint when the decision Of the Board on the
vexed question at issue is announced The Board
meets on Monday next, and they Will have their
| report ready when Congress meets. 1t is
expected that the report will be accompanied
by bill to be submitted TO the Senate
and House Committees on Naval Affairs which 1t Is
| thought Will meet the approval OF both houses. The
Secretary OF the Navy. Admiral Porter and all con
cerned are anxious to have the matter settled o.
1 soon as possible.