The New York herald., 1870-12-19

most unenviahle notorieu by issuing the most
insane orders TO the division Of the squadron under
his command. l understand that some report has
been made to the Admiralty that he his really not at
20 be entrusted with 30 important y command at
such, such crisis as the present put you may res. a.
because he Is the Fret Lords brother-ln-law.
WOODEN VESSELS.
The ships OF the old 1ying squadron, some OF
which have only been In commission under TWO
years, are found to be rotten. Ths does not speak
well for 'laving up' splcndid wooden frisates for
years; yet the number or fine old liners, should
say-as some oil them have not hOisted the penna at
Az others perhaps have been n cohn.sIn hn IN 'wo,
harb0rs OF Portsmouth. Keyham and the Medway--
Is alarming. These vessels are iancheu and are at
moorlngs in tne harbOr5 Tor years, r0tting 1t
always appears TO me q matter or surprise, when
passing these fine old wooden vessels which cluster
the arbors. that they ATE considered obsolete in
these days Of armor plates, lron-clads and steam
rams that they are not sold Then again. the question
arises the DAY TO return when naval battles shall
be fought on board wooden shpss 1t is the opinion
OF many that u VIII return; and converting with
old blue-lacket5 as 70 the snip tney would rather
go 10 sea IN and Inc vessel they would prefer to fight
on beard, the general reply ~, "Glve us wooden
ship; master, belh Tor lighting purposes and for
comfort; as II shot once gets into OF them 'ere
iron collins 1t III take the dey himself to get 1t out
before IL has done lis Work.n
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
Returning to the dying sqIa.lron; the one Just
arrived Is bens paid or. The new one Is being
@ commissioned as las. as they can draft the men,
pymouta IN the cary part OF the ensuing
month, when the sgnaaroa will be In
hFSHtcu uy tHc Ut lUe lutLcr
port, and proceed 10 seaabout the 10th prox IN All
probability making . course for the West inues.
the ships comp p)slng the squadron will be-
Narcssus, screw steam friGate, 35 guns, 1906
tons and 400 nomtna! horse power.
fiagsnip or Rear Admiral +. B. PGgct Seymour,
G, H., Captain w. cuafington.
lmmortate, screw steam frgate, % guns, 3,O5o
tons, goo nominal horse power. Captain +. w. Sul
van, Z. Is.
Cadnlus, screw steam corvette, 10 guns, I,4es
tons, 400 nominal harse power.
N0age iron screw corvette. cased with wood, 8
guns, 2.322 tons, $40 nominal horse power Captaln
~. G. Seymour, and two other vessels not vet se-
ected-in all probability one or the sloop and the
other of the corvette class.
IEeS-CLADS.
The Vanguard, fourteen guns, double screw ar
arrived al Lisbon aud now on her return, having
compercd her sea trits with every success and the
vessel by this cruls has obtained the confidence or
all on board. AS an Instance OF tue loose way in
which The ships are sent 70 sea at some OF the ports
Few days ago small, craft OF the gunb0at class
was s.gnalled, "pr5ceeu TO sea,r ana on making
through one OF the intricate channels at the en-.
from the Admiral ordering her detentlsn. AT
The port lew could understand the reason
OF the last signal, however the truth crept
out. she was going to sea with every chance OF
meeting SUCCESSION OF gales down the Channel
without having been pui nough her trials with all
her weights on board. l venture TO say mad such
occurred In any other navy than her Britannia Ma
an important piece OF duty would suffer the mlldest
punishment or being kicked out But not so IN this
glorious navy. 1t VIII probably result In a court of
inquiry and the official be enloied to be m re care
lu for The future. Two new gunboats or the stancn
class are to be launched at Portsmouth on Monday.