The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-19
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
Condition of Affairs at the Brook
lyn Navy Yard.
The Work in Progre~-vessels Fitting Out and
Those on the Stocks-What are serviceable
and What are Worthless-The
Iron-clads Of the Navy.


Quetude long observed in every portion OF these
government quarters will continue for some time to
come, no doubt. although many newspapers and
scores Of individuals who should know better have
Of late prated about the possibility Of this country
having war with Great Britain or Spain. Some
have gone so far as 10 maintain that vessels were
being rapidly fitted out for such contingency, and
the government intended aggressive action with at
least one nation. This Is just the reverse Of the
truth 80 far as the matter Of preparation at rhis
naval station is concerned. There Is not the slight
est vibration In the atmosphere leading to any other
concuslon yet it may not be inappropriate at this
time, when the public mind Is more than
usually exercised In regard to the condi-
ton of the country's neet and Its ability
to cope with dangerous enemy, to look facts In
the face and state them AS for the vessels at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, there are some serviceable
enough for ordinary work and cruising, but the
number that could 60 into battle and not be sunk at
the inception OF the contest Is very few. There are
more rotten and worthless vessels ON hand than
sound ones, ana consequently the unavailable prop
erty Of this kind exceeds greatly the available. 1t
is disagreeaoe thing TO say that much OF the sub
lime talk heard In some 0cial circles about the fine
trim OF ''our navy" is all bosh, and they who use
this style Of language do 1t with hidden meaning.
Such is the case, however. and more know 1t tnan
suVro wiz GA ia w ooHiuSIOu ouu COupuo lIVm yCoI
to year the interesting "Navy Register" II the
majority OF the war vessels at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard were required by the department in an emer.
gency It would be found that many would take
weeks to properly 1T them FOR sea, and some could
not be put in condition for active service at all.
The IrOquOis, that has been laid up for weeks to
repair boilers and overhaul machinery, Is IN fair
way OF soQn being completed, and will, probably
be ready 70 leave for her station In the East Indies
by the last Of the mouth. Several OF the roquois'
Oncers have reported and her crew ID in readiness
to be transferred from the Vermont. This ship. 1t
viii be remembered, was regularly fitted out In
Philadelphia, and went into commission there last
autumn for service, stated. 1t was the Intention
to despatch her at once, but for want OF another
craft she was put into Vice Admiral Rowan's recep-
ton feet, and, while cruising about Sandy Il ook,
awaiting the opportunity to do honor to Duke
Alexis, broke down, her boilers being utterly worth.
less until patched Taen she was put out Of COM
missiOn-o1icers, crew, stores and equipments, all
laid up-and they went to work at her; and now the
vessel is ready to leave for Chna Corea and the Far
East to protect American interests First class pre-
tecuoni
The Madawaska, formerly the wampanoag. the
vessel that conveyed the Commissioners to st. Do
ming0, Is heing prepared to receive new engines OF
the compound principle. Those first pat In her
were designed oy Mr.. Ericsson, and proved ponder
GUS failures. CHIEF Engineer shock, acting head Of
the Bureau OF Steam Engineering during the ab.
sence Of Chief James W. King, who was IN Europe
obtaining elaborate statistics from the English and
French services for the benent Of the American,
dered those being made, and much Is expected from
them. II Is TO be hoped disappointment Will not
follow. When the Madawaska win be ready for
active service It ISN'T IN the bounds OF possibility to
the Hartford, reconstructed and changed to q
doube.deck ship, Is being slowly fitted out for
have been Overhaued, and, without doubt, Will be
serves able. With the present force now ut work
s nos Dc IN q o SO INTO
The sloOp.ofwar Portsmouth. fitting out 70 take .
equipments, TO the United states ship Lancaster,
stationed at Rio Janeiro, and return with the Oh
Portsmouth Will carry but one or two guns, and not
sixteen or seventeen as formerly. Her repairs Tor
The steam lrgate Minnesota. being rebuilt, is in
well advanced state. After leaving the hands OF the
constructor she could be made ready WITH large
force 10 forty days Her engines have been over
hauled and new boilers built. This portion Of the
work could be completed II required IN thirty days.
and plated with three aud half inch iron, the
yard roting and rusting This worthless craft they
vice. being designated for harbor and coast de-
fence The truth about her Is that, ike all wooden
vessels sne 10 going to decay and is 30 slow that IN
an emerGent case she could not get out OF her own
way. Fer any service her machinery and turrets
would require considerable work, and her bottom
As with tie Roanoke so with all. or nearly all the
monitors In the navy. IL sounds large TO say the
mdaDle list, and all Brotner Jonathan's foes should
tremDe ut the mere mention OF It. What these iron.
clads amount to Is just nothing. One or two nave
been fitted up OF late for service In cuban waters;
bat recent trials have proved their lneclency. the
Mahopac's decks have settled SO much It Is doubt
rumOred the Canonlcus Is in the same miserable
plxat. Pretty show, indeed, to defend our large
ciies ny these noating c0nnsl Four of these lrou-
cads are on the stocks, unfinished and r0tting and
ru6ting. FOrty.twO are laid up Gin Ordlnary"-and
tnas means negiect ana rum at last Twelve OF the
never noated alter launching account OF defective
construction aud model Isn't 1t rather Illuminating
to think Of this Not one OF the fftyOne r0n-cads
can 20 to sea and become cruiser, although some
OF them nave been "dry.nursed" through expert
mental summer trips.
The monitor Colossus, on the stocks at the yards,
Is not hopeiessy rotten as has been recently stated.
Her condition Is fair and she NAV be saved II taken
In time. IL would require six MONTHS with very
large force, to finish her, II the WORK OF DER COM
pietlOn should at once begin.
Inc steam slo0p Java, now on the stocks. Is rot
ting fast. she could not be launched nor would
she stand caukng. Der appearance Is rather for
midaoe, but, IKE many scarecrows, Will ever re-
Tne Old torpedo boat lying in the yard will DO
turned Into coa osrsemthat is nsr hull Is found
on yesterday, and within day Or TWO her machin-
cry Will be removed.
Inc Sioe-Wneei war vessel ousquenauna, IL ID
rumored, Will soon 90 In dock and De altered to
propeller.
The Guerriere win be sent from Norfolk to the
Brooklyn yard 10 be put 0ut'of commission.
Inc Swatara WIN be sent from the same place to
DC repaired and refitted mere.
the officers on this station earnestly trust that
Congress Will pass the bill authorizing the cOnstruc
ton oil the proposed new frigates. They GO so, as
the navy OF tue United states require the vessels
few more years inaltentl0n by the authorities
and this boasted country OF ours Will have neither
ships-Of-war nor onicers and seamen,
A FoRMIDABLE ENGINE OF WAR.
To THB EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In the issue of the HERALD of the 10th instant yOur