The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-19
THE ARCTIC SEARCH EXPEDITION.
Fitting Out tho Juniata NJ the Navy
Yard-Preparations Rapidly Progress

Yard-Preparations Rapidly Progress
ing.
Whatever may be said OF the lethargy which oc-
casf0nay marks government work at the Navy
Yard when hitting out vessels for important expe-
ditions there can be no doubt whatever that the
task entrusted to the oficers and OF the United
states steamer yuniata has far been executed
with remarkable promptness. From morning till
shutdown yesterday the preparations for the cruise
to Disco to rescue, If possible. the remainder Of
the crew OF the Poars, were carried on with great
zeal ana 1t was evident that time being
lost In completing the arrangements suggested
by the Navy Department. The heavy arma-
ment having been removed the day previous
Commander Braine took the Juniata to the Navy
Yard yesterday morning at nine o'clock, ana tho
work OF preparing her for sea was commenced
without delay. First OF ALL she was sheathed with
iron, which, although 1t might have been some
what thicker, will to protect her against the
Ice which she must encounter in the vicinity OF
Disco. The coal bunkers were prepared and
arrangements were made by which additional
quantities Of coal could be carried In bags the
spar deck. II may be mentioned that the United
States steamer Congress, prior to leaving for
Disco, IN July, 1871. received, exclusive OF
the coal put in her bunkers about ninety
tons OF hard coal, six hundred and seventy
i've coal bags, eight cords or hard wood
and twenty-five tons Of Camel coal. The Juaiata
q much smaller vessel carries over 1000 bags
and about five months provisions Her capacity
will altogether be pretty well taxed, and when the
preparations are completed there will DO little
room for quadrilles on deck. She has been pro-
vtded with extra steam launch, which will
prove very servceabe In the quarter for which she
Is bound
The appearance OF the vessel yesterday was
very animated. The Junata had Q day or two
before been the very pink OF neatness, but the
n IN w iGh thn In ooks.
ON deck, and the introduction Of coal
pretty craft. The men worked with energy the
entire day, and fore and ait feeling OF harmony
anticipate the voyage with pleasure Tor aside from
tine sx and s undergo st strong 3n
Juniata at Disco would bring relief to many
longing and weary heart. About one O'Clock Vice
Admiral Rowan, accompanied by the chiefs Of the
board the Juniata and were received by Com
mander Braine with whom they spent some time
in consultation relative to the fitting out OF the
vessel. The crew has been selected with great
care, and IT Is no exaegeration to say that .
ALI to enter neay to U
humane spirit OF the undertaking. and the public
may feel assured that nothing will be left undone,
so far as intelligence, herOism and ability arc
cerned, to carry out the great object in view.
Commander d. L. BraIne, commanding the Juni-
was born IN this CITY, and from the "Oncial Record
OF United States Oncers living IL appears that he
May 80, ls4e, and was attached to the Home squad
ron during the Mexican war. He was detailed for
duty during the well known engagement OF Ava.
Adams. lie was subsequently transferred
to the st. Marys, OF the East India squadron, In
1S49-50. He was afterwards attached to the steam
sOop Sarana, OF the Home squadron. Having lett
the Naval Academy he was promoted to be passed
midshipman and was subsequently attached to the
soop st. Louis, OF the Mediterranean squadron.
His promotion TO master in the navy occurred in
mi no
lieutenant lie was engaged in the coast survey from
1856 to 1857 He was afterwards transferred to the
sOop Vincennes on the coast OF Africa, where lie
remained until 1860. He commanded the steamer
Monticello, OF the North Pacific blOckadng
squadron, in 1851, and had . sharp engage
Va, May ID, 1861 lasting one hour and fifteen min
utes being the llrst naval engagement OF the war.
He subsequently attacked and captured the forts
gagged the enemy at Kemerkerk Wood, exchanged
shots with their gunDOats and dispersed with effect
rescued the twentieth Indiana regiment when sur
rounded by the enemy. In November, 1861, he
gagged and silenced the battery at Federal Point,
N. e. and dismounted one OF the guns. The subject
OF this sketch was commissioned a lieutenant COM
mander July 10, 1862 and during tine two years
well and Fisher, where he commanded the
Pequot In 1866 he was ordered to ordnance
duty at the New York Navy Yard, and was commls
stoned a commander in July, 1866. He subse-
quently commanded the steam soop Hartford,
fagship OF the Asiatlc squadron, and IN 1867 COM
squadron. In 1868, and during the following year
he performed equipment duty 1T New York. Lieu
tenant Commander Edgar q. Merriman, who en-
tered the service in 1857 is the Executive Oicer Of
the Juniata, and Lieutenant Dc Long the Naviga-
tor. The medical department of the vessel Will be
urgeon. The names OF the other officers have
already been given. The Captains and Pay
masters clerks on board are Messrs. J. j. Marbury
have the Juniata ready for sea on Friday evening,
but 1t Is probable she will not sail before Saturday