The New York herald., 1873-11-27
ADMIRAL PORTER IN NEW YORK.


The Commandcr-in-Chief OF the Navy
on Tour OF Inspection-ffe Takes
Look mt the Spanish Iron-CIad and =
Yankee Torpedo Boat.
Admiral Porter arrived IN New York by late
train on Tuesday evening from Philadelphia,
where he has been for a day or two inspecting the
progress OF AFFAIRS in the Navy Yard. Yesterday he
visited tho Brooklyn Navy Yard also, and spent
some time there with the officials, during which
Secretary Robeson also arrived.
At six O'Clock last evening HERALD reporter
called on him at the Gilsey House, where he IL at
present quartered, and, upon introducing himself
to the Admiral. mad brief conversation upon the
objects Of his visit and the state Of the naval
preparations now going on. The Admiral Is an ex-
ceedingly easy, oI-hand, unpretentious sort OF
man. and as the reporter made himself known the
distinguished sailor looked up, took OF the spec
tacles he had been using to read some letters and
said - suppose you have come to see me on q
search for some news, chr" 49,
1"well, yes Admiral. and to get some Of your
views on the question or the day, which IS, OF
course. naval preparations and the war prospect"
''Well, sir, to tell the truth, you know about as
much as do about what is going on, and have no
opinions to express, unless I repeat those which
have already on one or two occasions given the
HERALD. pve been away from washington for
two or three days and have heard nothing from
that quarter, and have had my time SO taken up
In the interval that l actually have not read
newspaper for two days. AS came in just now
bought HERALD, which intend TO look at BY and
II believe You have been to the Navy Yard to-
day, have you not, Admiralf" interrogated the re-
porter. Nr r. .
around there. Everything looked quite busy and
Affairs seemed to be progressing very wei. came
% a S the ons aa
how far the work was advanced on her, and
found things generally satisfactory
'Will the work at the Navy Yard be continued
with Its present activity 2" asked the reporter.
~ suppose It will but Of course can't tell any
that respect. TO show you how little know about
1t, ] can't tell You how many men they have at
work there, for ! didn't happen to inquire. l
as she appears afoat for had understood that she
was anchored or the Battery. The rumor was IN
correct however, for she is st in the dry dock at
.Did you examine her in the dock ~
mo- didn't attempt to examine her. didn't
go aboard-merely took brief LOOK at her out
'.she has rather light armor plating has she
'Ir's not very heavy one-only four inches, I
understand, was the Admral'sreply. II shouldnt t
ta1o dniaK mat would amount to very enectiVe
"Have you made any estimate, or can you give
me very nearly the figures OF the number Of ships
Ut BuuS tndt COulu Uc DIOuSHL IutU dCtlfe ScfSiCC
II the last resort is needed in the present compca
tions2 mean to ask, what force you could have
available, say by the end OF next month"; for emer-
gent purposes" inquired the reporter.
mo, have nOt,n replied the Admiral. "That Is
matter that almost anybody can estimate very
nearly. Our navy is about what it has been Tor the
last seven or eight years. and suppose we might
have nearly the whole strength ready pretty soon.
You see we have not been building any new ships,
SO that its numerical or aggregate strength is not
altered materially from what it was; and, 80 lar as
you have already published them. The
TACT Is l have got nothing to state to
you that Is new. l have given my opinions
to the press already, far Icare to give them,
Tor don't like to put my opinions too freely In
been very much occupied lately, SO that have had
very little time to shape opinions / have been at
tending to business affairs.n
Alter few further remarks OF an unimpOrtant
nature the conversation terminated, and the Ad-
miral left to Join several gentlemen who were
waiting Tor him.