The New York herald., 1873-11-22
NAVAL PREPARATIONS.

Three Thousand Men at Work I'm the
Brooklyn Navy Yard-The Captain
OF tho Colorado-Thc Departure OF the
Steam Yacht Amcrica-Spanish Opin-
icns-Frcnch Courtcsy-Onicers Under
Orders.
The warlike notes Of preparation resound
throughout the length and breadth OF the Brooklyn
Navy Yard, the music OF the DAY echoes through
the night, and the concert OF patriotic sound is
ceaseess. Even Sunday viii be occupied with the
work In hand, as expedition is regarded as OF para
mount Importance at this juncture. The total
force now employed is not less than 3,00O and this
number VIII be Increased largely next week There
Is ample room tor the employment OF 5000 men in
the Navy Yard.
THE COLORADO.
This noble steam irigate, which stands at the
head OF the lis the finest Of the rst class vessels
OF the navy, has all her topmasts up, and rggers
are making taut and fast her stays, braces and
ratlines with such rapidity that ere the lapse OF
another week she will present the appearance OF
being well advanced for commission. Her COM
mander Will be the present executive officer Of
this station, Captain George M. Ransom, who yes
terday received orders rom Washington assigning
him to take command, on December l, as soon as
his relief Captain r. W. Snuledt reports for duty.
CAPTAIN RANSOM,
who is hale, hearty, fine looking naval hero, 50
years of age has served his country for 35 years,
and is regarded one of the most active and able
commanders in the navy. All through the war ne
served with Admiral Farragut In the Mississippi
fleet, having command of the Kinoe, Grand Gulf
Mercedta and two other war vessels at different
intervals. He also present at the taking Of
New Orleans and accompanied the Admiral TO
| Vicksburg subsequently ne was assigned TO the
responsible duty OF settling up the affairs OF
tae Eastern Gull squadron relieving Admiral
| Stribling at the time whei the two divisions
Eastern and WeStern-were consolidated. The
gushed marx OF special regard vouchsafed Captain
Ransom, but those who are familiar with the spen-
da record @ o. the Gagan aS tine tine 1
present crisis IN preparing tne vessels at tins sta
ti0n will concedc the point that the honor Is well
deserved, and should the opportunity present
itself the CoOradO's commander will secure high
ransom lor the flag. Tne
| forty-tnree guns, cannot be made ready for sea
before January l, 1874. She win be commanded by
Commodore Rodgers and will be divisional nag
| ship. There are no orders at hand TO nt out the
Nipsic, which is remarkable, under the circum-
stances as she IS well adapted for service. 1t is
not true that the flagship Of Admiral Rowan, the
Froic, has gone out OF commission. She VIII con-
time to ny the blue pennant in our harbor as
usual.
Tne Tfgress is dischargtng her stores at the dock
ns p1or III
despatch. There is large force at work on the
| Florida.
! As was stated IN the HERALD OF yesterday,
"Uncle SAM s looking through the mercantile
marine and yachting fleets for vessels to aid him
In carrying on the war. Commerce on the seas
not being very brisk just now, many shipowners
ment by charterng their vessels lor transports,
and several contracts are now pending. The
be used as despatcn boat for the neet in Cuban
waters She sailed from this port yes
chanSer esraay under er AG sne GosDort Navy Yard,
Norfolk Va. The America is barely six months
S na By psn1 or aenry s s@s
the well known stock operator, and partner OF
Fisk Gould. The vessel was built Tor pleasure
yacht, and Is one OF the largest OF her class. Her
lines are upon the most approved models, and her
interior decorations and fitting up extremely ele-
CANT In a word, she is perfect Duou OF craft
and the onicer in command OF her will have
vessel fit for lady's boudolr. She is considered
one OF the fastest OF the American steam yachts.
| Captain Chandler will return to his post that OF
assistant executive at this station, as soon as his
successor is designated he will doubtless be as
Dictator, which is now on her way to the Brooklyn
Yard, where she is expected to arrive, for repairs
| This vessel in which the Spaniards take so much
dry. dock at the Navy Yard. Hundreds OF people
walk about the dock and stare cgriouslyy At the
guard their crew. several OF whom have
Will viii be be- ready to leave ii about two weeks her
| destination being Cuba. Her iron plating is four
inches n thickness above Inc water ne and ~ tnfee rec
Arapiles regret that there should be so much
/ feeling among the people over the "virglnius
affair." but are satisfied that there Will be no
| fgnting when the American government is In pos
session OF all the iacts In the case. As to the
assault upon Minister Slckes, they say that 1t was
only the ignorant rabble who took part in that dis
graceful affair, and that the troops soon drove
| them on.
| About half-p4st three O'Clock the Captain OF the
steam steam gune,oat OF the French Republic rss 1ne
tied the iyceum at the Navy Yard and paid his re-
spects to Admiral Rowan, with whom he had quite
| OFFICIAL CHANGES.
| The following changes have been ordered among
Wheeler, executive officer OF the receiving ship
| Vermont, has been ordered to the Juniata, ana
PhiadeIphia to-day; Second Assistant Engineer
/ Slousson, Gunner 4. j. Waugh and Boatswain A.
NJ. Pomeroy, have been ordered to the Colorado.
Orders Issued Yesterday by tho Navy
observation-disclosures the Men-of-
| War for Cubs.
WASHINGTON, Nov. q, 1878.
/ The following naval orders were issued to-day
Lieutenant Commander Il. O. Meriman has been
ordered to the Colorado as executive on the 26th
! inst.
Eeutenants Richard Wainwright and Lewis A.
Kingsley to report to the Chief Of the Bureau OF
| Equipments, &C., for special duty
| Ensign John B. Collins to recruiting duty atNew
Orleans
| Paymaster Frank @. Cosby to the Franklin.
First Assistant Engineer James Entwistle, to the
| steamer Dictator.
second Assistant Engineer A. F. Dixon to the
| .iron-clad Ajax.
| captain X. w. Shufeldt, from duty as member OF
| the Examining Board at Annapolis and ordered
| as executive at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Decem-
| ber l.
Captain George NJ Ransom from duty as execu-
| tive OF the New York Navy Yard and ordered to
| the command OF the Colorado.
Captain simpson, from the command OF the Tor
| pedo station December and ordered to the COM
| mand Of the Franklin.
Captain william w. Truxton, from duty as In
| spector Of Ordnance ut the Boston Navy Yard on
| December IL and ordered to the command OF the
/ Brooklyn.
| Lieutenant Commander Frederick Rodgers. from
| the Washington Navy Yard and ordered to the
| command of the Despatch.
Lieutenant Commander Frederick Pearson, from
special duty and ordered to the Brooklyn execu-
tive officer.
Lieutenant Commander William k.wheeler, from