The New York herald., 1873-12-19
PREPARATIONS AT KEY WEST.

| A Government Machine shop and Pow.
der Magazine Being Ercctcd-Condition
Of the Dcfences-Thc Infantry Bar
racks. r,Fe.
KEY WEST. Dec H. 1873
| The neglect OF the government OF its southern
coast defences could hardly be made more palpa
BILE than in the instance OF Key West now the
most important OF all points. in the last HERALD
letter reference was made to the wretched condi
tion of Fort Taylor and allusion to the arrival Of
men TO work in & ## -. e
THE GOVERNMENT NAVAL MACHINE SHOP
Upon the arrival OF these men, under command
OF Chief Engineer Zieger, the machine shop which
was supposed TO De in condition to repair naval
vessels which might put IN for repairs,
was found in q wretched and almost useless con-
dition. The boilers and forges were rusted and
worn, the pulley bands nearly all rotten and there
were no facilities for moulding and casting new
foundry had been just completed. 1t is true but it
was as empty OF machinery as an old hull. Active
operations were at once commenced; ; the old
lathes were repaired, partly new boiler moved
in, seven forges renovated, and in the remarkably
short space OF four days repairing on the worces-
ter commenced. To-day they are prepared for all
kinds ofrepairlng.
ARRIVAL OF MORE wOREMEN AND TOOLS
This morning there arrived detail OF 16 work
men for the machine shop, and they were immedi-
ately put to work. There was also received by
the engineer in charge large invoice OF tools, and
there are more, together with valuable machinery
en- route. Repairs are going on In every war yes
sci in the harbor, all having suffered more or less
n the recent severe weather.
THE NEW FOUNDRY,
which is brick building, 40 by 20 feet inside dmen-
sons is being RAPIDLY fitted up and in weeks
time will be ready for castings and repairs for the
ployed. which will be increased 100 as the neces.
sites occur.
ESTIMATES FOR NEW POWDER MAGAZINE.
By orders frem tn, Bureau OF Ordnance, CON-
mander Benham, of the Saugus, has surveyed the
island for large powder magazine, and estimates
have been made for the building OF it and tor
warded to the bureau. II is not thought, how
ever, that immediate action will be taken, as the
fort magazine is amply sufficient, and it has been
suggested that some OF the old Confederate "tur-
tie backs" now lying idle at New Orleans could be
towed into the inner harbor and turned into float
ing powder magazines. BY replating their low
shelving sides they could be made almost If en-
tirely bombproof -
THE INFANTRY BARRACKS
are located at a point which commands a wide
view over the sea, and as far as the accommoda-
uon of the officers and men is concerned the
mament looks out upon the Gulf in large central
area or court running down to the water, but In
its present condition it would serve as poor pro-
lection in case OF war The guns, submitted as
they have been for a long time to all atmospheric
conditions, are rough and red with rust, and no
doubt are almost wholly unfit for efficient service
The light arms OF the Infantry, however are as
good as any In the regular army, while the soldiers
daily subjected to regular drill. Still the easy
communication from the North, by single steamer,
coud equip these barracks to an exceedingly
formidable point. The last steamer brought with
IL for
FORT TAYLOR
very large supply or powder, shot and shell, the
ammunition being the best and heaviest known to
our service. Additional ammunition has also been
sent for the two sand batteries. and men are en-
poyed constantly in rendering them safer and
more formidable defence TO our long Florida coast l.