The New York herald., 1872-10-28
FARRACUTS OLD FLAGSHIP.
Inspection Of the United States Steamer Hartford
by Board Of Inspectors, Prior to Her De-
parture to Join the East India Squad
ron-The General Condition of the
Frigate, Equipments Provi-
sion and Safety Apparatus.

The United States steamer Hartford was1recenty
inspected OF the Battery by Board c,f Offcers
preparatory to her going upon three y.ar's cruise
on the Asiatic Squadron. She is commanded Dy
Captain William F. Spicer, and upon Per arrival on
the East Indian station she will be tle flagship Of
Rear Admiral Jenkins, now in comm and there with
his nag on board the Colorado, Which vessel the
Hartford goes out to relieve. Tho Hartford is the
wOrld-famous nagship OF the gallant Admiral Far
ragut q naval hero Tor Americans to be proud or,
and than whom the world has produced no supe-
ri0r. This will be the second cruise, since
the rebellion war, OF this vessel to
the East Indies, and Jacky on board the scar
marked vessel well expresses it when he says
'Shipmates, guess John Chnaman will think
Uncle Sam oEly has one or two vessels, as they
send this old barkey often to the same station.
For my part, my lads ana to my mind, she is worthy
OF nothing short OF u Mediterranean cruise, with
gallant POrtcrs nag at her main.o
The BOardOf Inspectors evidently most thoroughly
understood their work and went ut II with notice
able will and expertness. Each took different de-
quarters, were carefully inspected. The guns and
all their working parts and gear were most critically
up TO see that they were properly fitted and of
good material; even the fore and art sails were
,ss N their WeatSss ws sarnr 9ss %as @
amned, also the boats and lie apparatus
provided. and the patent boat-detaching ap..
well. All officers in charge OF different parts Of the
vessel were called upon to state any defects OBJ
served. The magazine and shell were critically
looked after and the regulations relative to their
construction carefully examined. The gnnner's
mate informed our reporter that they can be flooded
and yet not inJure the powder contained in the
tanks, carefully is each tank made The provisions
were all tasted and examined, and all articles,
either cooked or uncOOked found below the re-
qured quality, were ordered to be removed from
the ship and those OF good quality substituted The
clothing for the sailors and marines was inspected
and compared with regulation articles, and all
causes for complaint were carefully inquired into.
Indeed the construction, engineer equipment, navi-
cation and medical departments were inquired into
with great care, and Jacks estimate of the i'm
pOrtance, value and duties OF the Board OF Inspec
tors Is well summed up thus:"l say Bill, It's evil
dent our Uncle not only provides a good, sound
barkey for us, but he sees that she's we'll
fitted and found, and that the officers sent to
go with us know their work. or rather guess this
Board OF Officers would soon find 1t out. |, for my
part, sees the difference atwiX now and
twenty-five years ago, when scurvy laid us out so
often on long voyages. Plenty OF p0tted meats,
tomatoes and vegetables amt 'er going to let Old
Scurvy send us to Davy jones' locker" test
was made OF the capacity OF the ships boats to
carry all the officers and crew in case OF necessity
the ship should have to he abandoned, and they
were found SUFFICIENT in number and size, with some
little crowding. The inspection passed OIL with
credit, and the Hartford was found properly and
carefully equipped all OF which the Board will duly
rcpOrt.