The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-15
SALE OF GOVERNMENT STEAMERS IN
CALiF0R MA.
The Vanderbilt, Which Cost S3,0OO,O0O,
Would Not Bring Over $4,000.

From the San Francisco Alta, Feb. @.
The sale Oithe United states government vessels,
advertised to take place at the Navy Yard at Mare
Island, came Off at noon yesterday. large NUM-
Der of gentlemen representing the leading ship
ping and mercantile firms, took passage on the
New World, at quarter past seven O'Clock yester-
day morning, to attend the sale. Owing to the
early hour at which the vessel left, the attendance
was not as large as was expected.
The weather was very misty, and consequently
those on board were oohgea TO remain WITHIN tne
stomach, on account OF having LETT home without
partaking OF the usual repast. This, however, did
not last long, as the breakfast bell sounded, and
those OF the party who were affected by the COM
FUNCTIONS OF an empty stomach repaired to the
saloon, where their appetites were soon appeased.
The remainder Of the party passed the time In
the cabin by talking OF the sale of the vessels,
stocks and the grain market, and .guylng' and
chatting each other about the sale. This was car.
red on IN the most pleasant manner, and was par
tcipated in by all with the best of feelings-Cap-
knew about ships vessels oil any kind Eldrldge.
asking why the services Of tugboat had not been
brought into requistion to tug the vessels down
from the yard. These and thousand other pleas
antries were INDUCED In until the vessel reached
the Mare Island Channel; In passing through the
lighthouse tender Wyanda was seen to the LETT and
directly abreast OF the Powder Magazine, getting
up steam. The jamestown, Nyack ana Dakota
lying further up the stream ana close to the
construction department or the yard, while the
monitors MOnadnOck and Comanche. together with
stream c or South vallejo The New World landed
her passengers at her wharf In South Vallejo when
the gentlemen who had taken passage in order to
attend the sale went on board OF the Lively, the gov
eminent steam launch, and after quarter OF an
hour arrived at the island. The preparations
made Tor the party on the part OF those IN charge
of the island were very meugre, as It was almost
impossible to find planking enough to form gang
way suc.e WIZ" e,e 70 Tau" perso MI dan-
the party under the guidance Of Major POok, pro-
ceeded to the vessels, where the sale was to take
place. some three hours were employed In exam
ming their condition, and every possible defect
that was existing became known TO all. AT half
past twelve O'Clock the party repaired to the VAN
derbilt where the sale was to take place. Several
Navy Yard officials were present, besides large
number of residents Of Vallejo who had attended
more perhaps rom motives OF curiosity, j. D. Ed
ridge acted rs auctiOneer and stated that the fist
vessel that he should offer for sale was the Resaca.
OF the third class, and when In service carried
guns The appraised value OF the Resaca Is $4,000
currency. The first bid offered was that OF NJ d.
Boruck, VINO bid $4,000. lively competition then
ensued between parties, and she was finally
Knocked down at the sum OF $4,000 to the firm OF
GOodall, Nelson 4 Co. Twenty per cent OF the
money was Immediately paid by the purchasers,
ana the remainder Is to be paid on the adjudication
The Vanderbilt. OF 3ls7 tons measurement, was
next offered for sale. Three years ago sne was ap-
praised by Captain q. ii. Baldwin &C 1000 tcur.
rency). Since then everything has been taken out
of her down to the hammock hooks, until she Is
absolutely Woodworking lett but her hulland ma
ss4soc currency. The highest bid offered FOR ner
Yesterday was $4,000, at which sum she was with,
drawn. The bidding was by no means actlve, the'
miserable appearance Of the vessel having dis
spiriting effect Great disappointment was mani
tested Dy all at her neglected look. The first bid
offered was that of Mr.. Borck at 100000 This was
followed by q bid from Calvin Page OF $35,0O0.
This bid was increased $3.50 by Mr. Boruck.
Small bids were then made until Mr.. Page
bid $4,000, when the bidding rested until
Mr. Hanscom bid $4,000. The Vanderbilt was
accordingly withdrawn. Mr.. Eldrdge did his
very best, but he could not raise the figure
named. The efforts OF the talented aucti0neer
were well illustrated by the great advance he re-
ceived over the appraised value oil the Resaca. The
terms OF the sale not distinctly advertised by
the commandment, and when bidders were upon the
ground they were then flrst informed that twenty
per cent or the purchase money was to be paid
down. The sale was badly announced and the ves-
sells should not have been sold at Mare Island but
the sale should have taken place in 'front.' OF the
Merchants Exchange, in this city. Mr. Eldridgc
eel tainy deserves great credit for his abOrs In be-
half of the interest Of the government.
Alter the sale the san Franciscans visited the
various departments OF the Navy Yard anu np-
peared to be well pleased. The kearsargc and MO-
hlcan were in the construction department. Inc
latter vessel having been condemned, u now peing
torn to pieces. Some five hundred men are eH-
ployed In the construction department az present,
and 1t Is expected that the number VIII DE greatly
Increased in few weeks. Alter visiting tne va
rious points OF interest about the island tne san
Franciscans assembled at the Bernard Rouse U!
Vallejo where a sunptuous dinner was pro'ioeo
A.