The New York herald., 1872-10-19
OUR NAVY YARDS.
Glance Over Brooklyn, Boston and Portsmouth
Navy Yards-The improvements and Pro-
posed Changss-Naval Orders and
Vessels Awaiting Commission.

Navy Yards-The Improvements and Pro-
posed Changss-Naval Orders and
Vessels Awaiting Commission.
After long absence, your reporter visits the
Brooklyn Navy Yard with much personal In
terest, akin to pleasure. for he has always been
treated with courtesy and pOsiteness from those
Ia authority, from the Commodore to the youngest
masters mate; and TO see once more familiar faces
aud renew friendly greetings are more than worth
the trip over tho East River, to say nothing Of
jottiag down naval Items Of those land the duties
they are az ne has known for years. rs
the entrance or the yard has little changed. Old
Captain Waugh stlll stands at his post, weather
beaten veteran OF honor ana honesty and faithful
services. The big tank house Is on the right, but
behind Il may be noticed an engine house, with all
the latest styles OF steam fire engines. Horses
ready harnessed, and water warm, five minutes
would find these powerful appliances at any part
OF the Navy Yard ready to put out re with seventy
five pounds pressure or steam; and, wonderful for
the time OF old Ohauncey, could he come back, the
telegraph wire has been placed. with flre alarms,
at half dozen stations, 90 that directions where
to 60 are given when the fire Is 1rst discovered.
Around the mastering house you observe that the
unsightly ooDble stones have been removed; a
bright green grass ana beds OF flowers greet the
eye-a most pleasant change. and the onicer who
did 1t deserves many thanks. The mastering
house, or civil engineers' offices. has gained a
story and savors now OF the Shanghae style,
though, doubtless, 1t is fat with internal busi
ness The heretofore unsightly anchor park, with
anchors lying nat on the ground, has been ar
ranged with o tier OF fine anchor racks, upon
which the anchors, large and small, from
10000 pounds to 100 pounds, have been
closely hung, occupying much less space and
This was one OF the improvements OF the yard done
under Rear Admiral NJ Smiths command and at
the suggestion Of the former equipment oflcer.
The large receiving store s now principally 0Ccu-
pied by the Equipment Department.. The Con-
struction department has one lower wing. The
but the latter will soon remove to their commo
diOus new machine shop. over by Flushing avenue
and opposite the foundry. eaa-aaea Is
Is the order OF the day with the various depart
ments. The Paymaster's, or Provision and Clothing
glneer Department will soon follow. Next the
Equipment Department will occupy the entire new
ssructon @ Department ar me s viii n due due time mo move to
their own building. grea III e4fg
The Yard and Dock Departments have been very
busy and recovered some twenty-five acres from
the water towards the Naval Hospital. A substan-
tial fence has fieen built along the new avenue,
a highway to Williamsburg W or OF East Brooklyn.
Across this newlymade ground at the dock lies the
steam fr.gate Guerriere, one Of the unfortunate
vessels OF the navy, twice ashore In one cruise and
after the second one large sums were spent upon
her to get her to the United States Here she is
highest bidder. At the Cob Dock, nearly opposite
where the Gucrriere lies, may be the formerly
MUoH-TALKEDoF wAMPANoAd. 89
now called the Florida She was built very long
400 feet-and narrow, for great speed. Mr.. Isher-
wood placed In her geared engines OF immense
position off New York to Charleston. s. c. In TWEEN
ty-four hours, at rate exceeding twenty knots an
hour. She is now @ housed In and awaiting orders.
class, former machinery by Mr.. Ericsson, now pro-
nounced failure, and q derrick Is removing her
compound engines. The Tennessee is certainly
fine looking specimen Of naval architecture; but
when you look across to the stanch and good as
dock, with the calkers busy upon her
sides, one naturally thinks she would have
and sea qualities. opposite the Minnesota lies the
three turreted iron-clad Roanoke, now receiving
a fresh coat OF paint. One can hardly think land
yet it Is so) this iron-clad was formerly the sister
ship to the Minnesota, and bore herself well
lor cruise or two. Now, with her impregnable
turrot, she Would destroy her sister ship in mas as
many minutes as she has guns-three Of tifteennch,
three 250-pounder rides. .#a3a.o.
THE PORTSMOUTH.
In the Dry Dock lies the once beautiful sloop-0f-
war Portsmouth, now fitting for surveying ex.
bly, equipped, and with steam cutters to seek those
islands and shoal, which the ship cannot get near.
Commodore SkerretC Is TO command the expedition
and the broad Pacific Ocean Is before him for new
discoveres-a three years. cruise Of excite
ment and chance to place his name be-
charmed roll Of honor. Where Is the navl-
gator who does not envy him? The Portsmouth
will be ready in about a month. Among other ap-
pliances she has Normandy condenser placed
on board by the government under the supervision
OF Mr.. Albert Gray, which at any time Will supply
the crew in distant with 1000 gallons OF fresh
water In twenty -four hours. Her crew will be l2G
oil told. tIt. .a. .rf
THE wHARvEs AND DOCKS
Of this navy yard unusually clear, and but little
work appears In progress. The frame is nearly
up of a new steam sloOp-O-war, to be named the
Swatara, and the w0rkmen appear to be busy or
her. The Java, weather-wOrn, Is housed over, and
the New York still lies In the shiphouse. Surely
they might put her in the water and let the Empire
State have one vessel anoat ana In commission
named alter her. Beyond the shiphouse where the
New York Is may be seen the
hN4 BEAUTIFUL FRIGATE HARTFORD,
just commissioned. She presents busy scene witt
the numerous sailors about her receiving boart
her stores, rigging being put In place and rope.
roved, and what appears confusion will soon resu
in order and system such as only can be found OF
name c; the Hartford and he she ls linked with th
/ fame Admiral Farragut won, bis fav0rit6 ship
| which be steered to victory at New Orleans, P0r
! Hudson, vicksburg and Mobile. He who command
her may well b6 careful 2{ Ats charge, for she !
dear to the American people and Is -place9 slde ,!
side with the Constitution. The Hartford has
twenty-pounder rtnes, In the latter part OF Octo
Der she sails for the East Indies via the Suez Canal
And wifi be Admiral jenkins flagship OF the Asat
suuadrOn.