The New York herald., 1873-11-24
NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
Affairs at the Washington Navy Yard
The Stores Of War Material on Hand
Progress OF the Preparations-Defenc
of tine Capital.

Progress of the Preparations-Defenc
of tine Capital.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 1873.
The preparations OF the government to meet any
contingencies that may arise out OF the Cuban
complications being pressed with the utmost
vigor at the Washington Navy Yard, as well as at
other yards along the Atlantic coast. Before the
late civil war the Navy Yard at this point one
OF the most prominent, some Of the larger rigates
OF the old time having been constructed here.
Among these might be mentioned the Brandywine,
famous for having carried Lafayette back to
France on his last visit TO this country. During
the war the exposed condition OF the Navy Yard
at Norfolk and the proximity OF the Washington
yard 10 the Southern coast devolved upon 1t new
and important branch of naval work. New shops
OF large capacity were erected for the purpose OF
carrying on the manufacture OF the various descrip
tions OF naval machinery including iron gun car
riages OF the latest patterns, marine boilers
engines, &C, vast quantities Of which were turned
out to supply the necessities of the Diockading
squadrons on the extensive line OF the South At
lantic and Gulf coasts. large foundry also
structed capable oil turning out any quantity OF the
largest castings required for ships OF war. Some OF
the largest lathes IN the United States are TO be
found in the machinery department. Tne labora-
tory has the capacity to turn out an immense
amount OF its peculiar work. There are also two
large ship houses, one provided with a marine
railway. Since the war, with the exception Of
short intervals, but a comparatively small amount
OF work has been turned out from the yard.
sufficient force has always been kept engaged upon
such work as was absolutely necessary to the
igencies Of the service.
MATERIAL ON HAND.
At the close OF the war the government found
itself in the possession OF enormous quantities Of
material OF war, which were further increased by
the dsmantlement oivessels put out OF commission.
Many guns OF the heaviest calibre. including
PARROTS, nine, eleven and fifteen inch Dahlgrens,
nowi,zers and broad mouthed mortars Tiers OF
snot and shell were stored In the Navy Yard, the
guns and shot being regularly painted and other
proper precautions being taken TO preserve them
from the effects OF time and temperature. All OF
this material is available for immediate USE The
powder magazines are abundantly stocked with
that explosive compound
REVIVAL OF OLD sCENEs.
The quiet routine which has generally prevailed
at the Navy Yard for the last eight years has been
broken in upon by the stirring note OF warlike
preparation, and the ceaseless hum OF activity,
everywhere arising, recalls TO mind the daily
scenes during the late rebellion. The fires of the
ioundry are again burning, constantly turning out
castings which are being shipped TO the Northern
navy yards. Fixed ammunition from the labora
tory is being constantly shipped and
orders to manufacture $4,000 shells have
just been issued. orders have also been
issued for the immediate manufacture OF
large numper OF new gun carriages
for guns Of the heaviest calibre. In the ordnance
shops additional howitzers are being rapidiy COM
pleted, and complete equipments, incIuding 'ra"s,
handspikes and ammunition boxes are beine turneu
out for the Gatling guns to be used on shippoaru'
The boller works are busily engaged 10 the con
struction OF new boilers so as y DC prepares iol
.emergcnc,ea me s,oretouses Se sull nlled with