The New York herald., 1873-12-01

bonr the frlpate Colorado large force Of ringers
were engaged In putting the finishing touches on
the rigging the lower and topsaiyards all being In
place. The battery Is nearly all on board and "A
hours will suilce 70 provision her. Crossing over
20 the cob dock the writer made his way TO the
spar deck OF the receiving ship Vermont.
Mate Gainsford, who had the deck, was
just giving the order to boatswain's
mate to call all the seamen on deck. The
boatswan's shrill whistle rung out instantly, at
tracing the attention OF the blue jackets oeiow,
and with a hoarse voice the summons was given.
"You hear, there beiowl Lay aft on the port gang
way OF the spar deck all the seamen in the SNIP"
Up tumbled the boys, and taking their positi n as
told, responded to their names, which were called
until about $50 OF that class were told on. Ihen
the ordinary seamen were piped ON deck ana up
wards OF $50 were selected IN rotation. Next came
the landsmen and boys, until 400 men, an to.u
ior the crew OF the Colorado, and
win probably &c. on board their gallant
Ransom has drawn good crew, Judging from q
physical standpoint Many Of the sailors are OLD
man of wars men, and they expressed themselves
az quite fortunate in coming in for the Colorado,
while those whose names were not reached on the
roster deplored their luck, tearing assignment 10
monitors which are very unpopular among tne
"shellbacks.n The draft in question leaves but $50
men on the receiving ship, which Is under COM
Tne recruiting clerk OF the Vermont, II. +. Pat
terson, reports that the number OF men received
daily Is about 20, on an average, OF whlcn number
street. heretofore the government has been las
tidious in the selection OF men, reJectlng
landsmen, as rule. On Saturday night
orders were received from WASHINGTON
TO .ship all landsmen applying when.
ever found physically qualified" Ihe unemployed
young men desrous OF sea service nave thus an
opportunity afforded TO trough itn in the navy
with prospect OF active service ahead. Com
mander Merrlman, the executive officer OF the
Colorado, inspected 1.-THE draitn and made ar
rangements Tor selecting his petty officers.
Machnsts were working on the Florida, Mn
nesota, Dictator and Roanoke all day.
The ArapIles, Spanish iron-clad. has all her re-
dock at the yard to-day. she Will then take her
battery on board. her guns are now lying on the
saluting dock, near the battery.
The general sentiment expressed by officers with
whom the reporter Conversed was that
we are nearer war now than ever before.
They contend that the Spanish Ministry has n o
OF tile Virginius the surrender OF the prisoners
and the salute oil the American nag in Cuoa. 1t
viii, therefore, be necessary, they say, for Uncle
Sam TO step IN between the Spanish soldiers ana
the Cuban volunteers and settle the dispute by en-
forcing the concessions, such as they are, OF the
CASTELAR, government. They assert that the present
teaching these fellows snch lesson as they will
not soon forget. Great anxiety is expressed as TO
the actual effect OF the news OF the .socalled con-
cessionsr or the Madrid Ministry IN Cuba.
Work on the Tennessee is progressing rapidly at
Roache's iron works, in New York.
Among the applicants for shipment on board the
Vermont yesterday were 80 negro landsmen and
sailors VINO were marshalled by one Mathews,
shipping master, the result OF days recruiting
around Greene and Thompson streets, New York,
and Crow Hull, Brooklyn. They unfortunately
reached the ship just as an oruer had been de-
liyered to stop recruiting for the day. Five min
ntes after the departure OF the coiored squad,
however, the order TO go on recruiting was given.
They viii be taken to-day, should they pass the
requisite examination.