The New York herald., 1873-11-24

large supplies OF equipments and other stores.
which are now being daily shipped to points where
most needed for the fitting out Of the vessels des-
tined for Cuban waters.
THE YARD BEING RECRUITING RENDEzvOUs,
a large number OF applications have been received
by the executive officer who is In charge OF the
recruiting Most OF those who desire to enlist In
the service are landsmen, but this Is not the kind
OF material required at the present juncture, and
as consequence they are rejected. All good
sailors who may present themselves are enlisted at
once. The colored element seems to be unusually
patriotic the number OF those who daily apply.
wishing to serve their country as COOKS, sculions,
walters, &c, being sufficient to man irigate. The
force OF marines has been increased to such an
extent by recent enlistments that the barracks Of
the corps are inadequate to accommodate the new
recruits which has necesstated the temporary
occupation OF the chapel at the yard for quarters.
detachment OF seamen was taken on board
THE RECEIVING SHIP RELIEF
yesterday. The Relief Is one OF the Oldest vessels
OF her class In the service. She the storesnip
OF the exploring expedition OF Commodore wilkes
to the Southern hemisphere in 1s3S-42. She has
been housed over at the yard for some time, but
the housing is to be and she VIII be put In
commission to sail for Key West.
VESSELS AT THE YARD
The Shawmut, screw steamer, carrying three
guns, Is being caked and will be ready to sail in
q few days. There are three iron. clad monitor
rams at the yard-the Mon.auk, two guns the
Plscataqua, one gun, and the Hero one gun Az
yet nothing has been done upon these but II the
necessity arises they will be put in complete
order and be used as a guard for the patrol
on the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
for which service they are eminently adapted.
These vessels, while capable OF effective service for
harbor defence, not suitable for sea service.
The Montauk, which figured frequently In the late
war, has numerous marks OF her engage ements,
her turret and deck showing many deep indenta-
tions. Torpedo attachments will be placed
ON board OF each OF these vessels II their
services should be needed. An important feature
with these vessels is that they can operate with
their torpedces at night Large vessels In making
attack cannot move with safety at night in riv-
ers or harbors, ignorant as they would be OF the
channels and OF the location OF distinctions. Lying
at anchor the little monitors, under cover OF dark
ness, could approach them almost unseen, and use
with deadly effect their submarine destructives.
Independent of these monitors the defence or
Washington would be doubly assured by the use Of
channel torpedoes and elaborate distractions now
ready Tor use, the fortifcanons already existing,
and by the adoption, If called for, of additional
water batteries.
Busy Sunday at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard-Thc Colorado Coa!ing-'sDon't
Give UP che ship"-spanish Caution.
In accordance with the spirit and letter OF the
old axiom, Necessity knows no law" the Sabbath
was not one of quiet, peace and rest at the Brook
lyn Navy Yard. While the good people OF the City
OF Churches were vending their way to their re-
spective houses OF worship In the morning rep
resentatve OF the HERALD made his to the great
naval depot and presenting his pass for admittance
to the officer OF the guard at the York street gate
was duly admitted to the precincts OF the yard.
The first object which attracts attention is the
steam frigate Colorado which lies at the dock at
the loot OF the main street In the yard. Eere, on
the dock, was noticeable the tall figure OF
Rear Admiral Rowan, who, in the PLAIN
garb OF civilian, was standing anu
giving instructions to the chief Of the
equipment department. Stepping on board the
frigate the writer met the gallant commander,
Captain George NJ Ransom executive officer OF the
yard, who is pushing the work forward on her
with all possible despatch, with view to having
her ready 10 60 into commission the day Congress
meets-December l. one week from to-day. There
were two coal Darges on the starboard side OF the
| Colorado, from which fuel was being hostcd and
! emptied into the capacious bunkers OF the noble
ship. On the spar deck large number OF riggers
were making taut the "Iuttock shroudsn and
other gear, .Slngng SANS (OSa lnS), dS was Wit
tlly remarked The gun carriages are all on board,
and the planking oI the decks has been newly
secured with rosin. She viii probably receive her
battery OF IS guns on Saturday next On the
combing OF the quarterback is tile memorable
motto OF Captain Lawrence-"Don't give up the
Ship" American sailors never surrender, but the
words are appropriately inscribed a reminder to
recall tue glorious annals OF cur navy.
On the Minnesota's machinery there were men
employed but in no other part OF the ship. There
was also force OF machinists ut work on the
Roanoke and on the Florida. This latter vessel
Il
| She ls now lying at the dock, near the Swatara.
Her housing VIII be taken on to-day, and she can can
Admiral's flagship. the Floc, is ancnored In the
stream of the yard. She win assume greater i'm
| portance as the harbor fleet grows In proportion
| to q war footing. Admiral Rowan is exceedingly
reticent upon all subjects connected with the BUSH
ness OF the yard The monitor Dictator arrived last
| evening, ana work Will be commenced on her this
| morning. There are about 400 'blue jackets" on
| board the receiving ship Vermont. Religious SER
vices were held there yesterday by the chaplain OF
| the ship. Recruiting for the marine corps has
been resumed.
The Captain OF the Spanish iron-cla steam soop
| OF war Arapies lying on the dry dock at the yard,
| yesterday made minute and thorough inspection
OF his ship and the progress OF the work OF putting
} on the iron plates She will leave here early next
| month Tor Cuba. There divine service on
| all the officers and crew assisted. They have be-
come very strict with regard 10 the admission of
visitors, allowing nobody on board but officers in
war between the two republics but that the
Spanish authorities were correct in their treatment
OF the Vlrg1nius. One thing Is certain, they have
grown more noisy and patriotic on board the
spaniard, and are given TO cheering Justify when
ever their nag is hoisted at the peak.
In the workshops OF the yard mechanics were
busy "nailers," ana not since the war hurry for
the Union has the sabbath stiffness been so ruth
essly invaded upon this station.
Philadelphia Navy Yard-Thc Manhat.
tan and Povvhatan LeSt-Thc Terror
and Cana ndaigus Progressing.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. %, 1873.
The Navy Yard people have been doing wonders
and can claim the credit OF having sent the first
monitor to sea. the Manhattan left the dock
yesterday and went to Fort MiffIn to take In her