The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-14

Secretary Robson writes to representative
Sargent: "Navy Department., Washington,
February 13.-My Dear Sir,-In reply to your
note in regard to the Tennessee and to quiet as
far as may be the apprehension which has been
excited as to her safety beg to say that the
Tennessee sailed from New York harbor at
about four o'c ock on the afternoon of Tuesday
the 18th of January on voyage which had for
its ultimate destination the city OF San Domin
go; that at that time of her departure the COM
mission to which that matter was left bad not
decided whether they would proceed directly
to San Domingo City or first visit SANTANA Bay
or some other port on the northern coast of the
Dominican republic; that if she proceeded d.
rectly to San Domingo City that voyage would
at her ordinary rate OF speed under steam COD
sumo from eight to ten days, which period
would of course be increased if she stopped at
any other port BY the time spent there; that no
advices have been received from San Domingo
City or any other port to which the Tennessee
would be likely to go since her departure from
New York. That there are at this season of
the year no lines of ordinary and regular com
municatiOn from San Domingo City or anoth-
er port in San Domingo to any place from
which we could, since the time the Tennessee
was due at her destination, have received tele-
graphic or other advices of her arrival or nom
arrival; that no extraordinary means of COM
munication were provided and none are likely
to have employed except in case of disaster;
that since she crossed the Gulf stream, prOba-
DIy dUOuG IUc Idtltuuo Vi OO ItRTc6S Hull Ill, size
must be out of the track OF vessels bound for
our ports, and that if her voyage is successful
we cannot expect advices from her except ac-
cidentally, until the return of the Tybee,
which makes the only regular line of cOmmun-
icatiOn, and which will be due in New York in
about ten days.
The Tennessee was a new ship of nearly 5000
| ions burden, carefully and strongly built, is
| larger than any ship of our squadron cruising
in the West Indies, and is as staunch and sea-
| worthy as any ship of our navy. She was
| launched suce the close of the war, and was
| found perfectly seaworthy on long and bos-
| ferrous tip. During the past year she has been
| put in complete order; Der engines and steam
| machinery are of the Ericsson pattern aud
| were in good condition and pronounced satis-
| factory by the officers in charge. She has also
| a full sui. of sail power and would be perfectly
able to take care of herself and make her v0y-
| age should any accident happen to her machin-
| cry, though 10 this event it would of course
consume more time. She is commanded by a
| careful and experienced officer; had full
| petely provisiOned and equipped. She carries
ten boats, among which is large steam launch
We have heard of no bad weather in the lati
tude where she would be likely to be, and heI
route DID not take her at any such distance
from the ports of her own coat and of the
| West Indies that in case of a serious accident
the survivors Of any but the most extraordlna
| ~ disaster would most likely have been heard
| from. Inc stcamer 1yOee le1L New York or
the 1st of February, sailing in the track of the
Tennessee; at her usual rate she would have
arrived at San Domingo on the 9th inst, apG
in case of any disaster to the Tennessee on hel
way or of her nom arrival at some port of thu
Dominican Republic by that date, the new
would most likely have been carried by one
our own cruisers or by extraordinary mea nj
which would in that case only have been EN-
ployed, to Jamaica, whence we might by thi
time have heard by telegraph, that it seems t
me that there is no greater cause for anxiety
| or alarm concerning the Tennessee than TO
anv other ship of GUS navy on the ocean. cha
the absence Of adyces is by no means eviderc
of a disaster, but will be henceforth and unit
we finally hear by regular peaps, each day
stronger assurance Of cafe and successful
voyage, and that the suggestions OF her los
| made without information and mainly wltbou
causes are as weak as they are cruel.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE M. robson.