The New York herald., 1873-11-26
NAVAL PREPARATIONS.

Orders Have Not Been Count rma nded
mt the Brooklyn Navy Ynrd-The Work
Goes Bravcly On-Opinions OF Officers
Upon the subject of War.
The news from Washington, published in the
HERALD yesterday, to the effect that the Secretary
of the Navy had ordered that all work should be
suspended on board the iron-clads and monitors,
had the effect Of causing CONSERVATION among the
mechanics who were looking forward to a con-
tinuance OF employment. Among the officers OF the
station the feeling OF chagrin was very great, as
they had hoped that there was "buslness ahead
this time." AS the day wore on and neither mails
or telegraph brought intelligence enecting business
in the navy yard more hopeful outlook dawned,
and the warke work went merrily
on in each and every department.
None OF the orders transmitted to officers,
detaching them from shore duty and
ordering them to ships were countermanded,
despite the published information OF the Navy
Department concerning the revocation OF orders
Indeed, In every department the work went
bravely forward. A number OF men were taken on
in the morning, but the outside pressure for en-
poyment continues very great and hundreds
stand about the Navy Yard gate the live-long day
waiting for opportunity to talk with this "boss"
or that prominent politician" and solicit his aid
in procuring work. The total force employed is
2,eo0 OF which 542 are in the Steam Engineering
Department, 800 in the Equipment Department and
25O IN the Ordnance Department, the balance being
absorbed by the Provision and Clothing and other
Bureaus.
The Colorado has her top gallantmasts up, and
her rigging Will be completed by Saturday. There
were 450 men occupied IN fitting her out yester-
day. Coaling is progressing rapidly the bunkers
being full Shot and shell are being stored in the
magazine night and day. Painters and carpenters
Ud N kprc m
the sides while the decks are being scraped and
cleaned.
The Minnesota, which Is destined to be the
divisional 1agship OF Commodore Rodgers, has lis
men at work. The Florida has SO machinists and
number OF carpenters at work. Her pent hous-
ing was undergoing demolition yesterday.
The iron three -turreted ship Roanoke is in the
hands OF John Roachs machinsts, there being SO
men engaged in overhaulng her machinery. The
and other woFx 20 - ooer makers
The store ship Supply, Captain Babcock, will
come up to the yard to-day and Will 60 out OF CON-
There very large innux OF visitors at the
yard yesterday, and Mr.. Nipple, the gentleman
to the requests OF applicants for the privilege or
exploring the wonders OF the Navy Yard. Captain
Ralph Chandler will resume his post as assistant
executive to-day, having returned from his trip
south with the steam yacht America.
REINFORCEMENTs.
on Monday afternoon the mail steamship which
sailed for South America carried orders to Rear
Admiral Strong, OF the South American squadron,
states soop-ofwar Lancaster TO Key West. Fla.
and report for further orders This is important
as It shows an intention on the part or
Cuban waters to such an extent, that should an
early aggressive policy be decided upon by Con.
gress next week, neet win be available.
CAPTAIN RANSOM,
the executive officer OF the yard was happy yes
terday morning upon not finding anything in the
Washington mails TO defer his hopes OF early as
suming command or the noble ship to which he
has been assigned-the Colorado. He expects to
be relieved on this station, on Monday next, by
Captain X W, Shufeldt When questioned upon
the change OF the situation, he remarEed:-s1The
prospects are not perhaps, what would wish, but
the chances for war are by no means over" His
individual views most decided upon the issue
at stake, and his record warrants the assertion
that in the event OF hostilities he will win honor
for the navy and promotion Tor the Colorado's CON-
mander.
CHAPLArN's OPINION.
Chaplain Dorrance who is one OF the Oldest per-
sons In the navy, was one OF those with whom the
writer conversed upon the war question. The
Chaplain is on the retired list, and is in sentiment,
In keeping with his profession, a man OF peace.
There will be no war, sr,'' remarked the Chap
lain. mo war; sir. This agitation OF the question
has come to some good, but IL Is great pity that
1t should have been permitted to die out so soon,
we were preparing our ships and putting them in
good condition II this work is to stop here, then
the interests OF the navy Will suner. Our ships
were sadly IN need OF repairs. That which they
have undergone during the past two weeks Is very
good, as said, but we should keep 1t up until the
western congressman open their eyes to a con-
sciousness OF the TACT that great nation such az
ours should have navy to protect our CON-
merce.n
Tne Naval Constructor, Mr.. Hanscom, saws he
station Mr.. Yardly, the secretary OF Admiral
Rowan. did not anticipate any stoppage OF the
work IN hand, and could not account for the news
paper despatch TO the contrary from WASHINGTON.
VIEWS OF LIEUTENANT.
neuenaAt Win whom the reporter talked