The New York herald., 1873-11-14

but is at this moment wharfed here at
the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where she is
undergoing very thorough repair. have
spent the greater part OF the day In
examining the vessel and In visiting the different
supply stores from which she is TO obtain all the
requisites for her cruise. The scene is one OF
great energy and activity and the parties in the
varied departments OF the yard are bringing all
their energies to bear for her rapid and perfect
equipment Since the war she has been very ma
terialy changed in her makeup iron beams hav-
ing been substituted for those formerly OF wood
As may be presumed, when the statement is made
that this work, instead OF being performed by gov
ernment workmen, was done by 0utsldecODtractors,
she has never been exactly what she ought to be,
and at present Is suffering from leak in her bow.
The fault, however, is very slight. the difficulty
easily remeded, and she may really be said to be
IN CONDITION TO STEAM OFF
at moments notice. Internally and externally
she Is being extensively 0verhauled, and the rooms
OF the officers and crew, which, in ships Of this
kind, are located forward instead OF aft being
cleaned, furnished and put in ship shape. The
decks are being cleared or all their unnecessary
encumbrances, while coal, provisions, ammuni-
ton, shot and shell are duplicated, parts OF ma
The Manhattan Is O. Of sne Monit"T Glass; having
capacity OF 500 tons, Her decks are Of SUFFICIENT
elevation mt 70 enable her to carry her own coal and
usually accompanies oil vessels OF this kind This
elevation relieves her OF much OF the awkward and
homey appearance OF ordinary monitors, and rem
ders her proportionately more seaworthy.
HER TURRET
united present soiity OF twelve inches In thick
ness. The turret Is OF the revolving pattern, and
for purposes OF offence and defence she Is armed
with two immense guns OF fifteen inches bore.
She has already on board 175 tons OF coal, and by
Monday next she win be completely appointed and
ready TO start out on her voyage s0uthwar
THE hANHATTANS HISTORY.
The craft has always been regarded as the most
unfortunate or as the sailors term it, the most
lucky one that ever went anoat. She was con-
structed by Secor h Co., OF New York, In the year
1864, and Immediately after her completion she
put to sea than leak was discovered, and she was
brought In TO the wharf OF this Navy, Yard and
this hasty repair she was tOwed to Pensacola, and
had been there but two days when she caught fire.
rns or IN the the were psn
stricken. BY great energy and presence OF mind
upon the part of the officers, however, the matches
and, though considerable destruction was wrought,
the monitor herself was not materially injured
day or two alter this she proceeded to Mobile. and
in the great fight there did very magnificent SER
vice. on her turret are two heavy scars, one OF
peculiar shape, caused by q gancing ball, and the
other, deep and round, caused by ball which
struck her lull and fair.
THE GUNBoAT AJAX,
Is also undergoing repair, but she Is in condition
which renders 1t impossible for her to turn out be-
fore the expiration OF three months. Her decks
are III udu COHulbOu, anu ner JuTTct lOT Tue pres
ent has been removed. Both vessels will go to
Norfolk. the Manhattan at once and the Ajax as
soon as possible. They have been ordered there at
this early hour SO that In ease their services
needed they can be away from this port where
movements are often materially prevented by the
ice, and thence be summoned wherever required.
The officers who will command the Manhattan are
as folOws:- rsfe4g N#
COTlnldnder-Arthur r. Yates
ErectHiUe OGicer-Richard p. Leary.
LteutendntS-lsaac HaZett and $. w. Terry.
AGsters-N. +. Mason and N. f. Niles.
Assistant PdvnlaSter-G. A. Dearing.
Assistant Sstrge0n-E 2. Derr.
EngtneerS-First Assistant Henry Snyder; Sec
ond Assistant, Ii. h. Rh0ades.