The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-30
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
Reports from the Narragansett In the
South Pacific.


South Pacific.
CALLA0. Peru, Jan. 6, 1873.
The United States steamer Narragansett, Com.
mander Meade, arrived at Callao, Peru on the
1st 0fJanuary, 1873, in sXtynve days from Sydney,
Australia. She had pleasant weather most OF the
way over, as she passed north OF New Zealand, and
she made the voyage Of 5000 miles under canvas
entirely-the screw not being once lowered until
four miles from san Lorenzo. Two days out from
Sydney the whaling bark Germany was slgnaled
bound west-sOuthwest
The Narragansett went into commission in Octo-
Der, 1870, at Portsmouth, N. H. and sailed soon
after for New York. where she was some time de-
tanned as flagship to the Port Admiral. In March,
1871 she sailed from New York for this station
since which time she has been necessarily cruising
among the various islands of the North and South
Pacific ana the Coral Sea as far as the coasts of
New Zealand and Australia. Traversing this i'm
mense field she has surveyed and examined some
Of the portions least known, and looked into the
existence of numerous reported dangers
Many places have been visited where our
menof-war had not touched for many years.
and some places where the flag OF a United States
ship of war had never been shown before. Through
out the cruise the health OF all has been good, and
there has not been an accident, death or casualty
Olany kind, Notwithstanding the long, arduOus and
varied service the vessel has performed. Since
leaving New York AIS days have been passed at
sea-an extraordinary amount OF sea duty, never
before exceeded in the history OF our navy During
this time the ship has sailed nearly sixty thousand
miles, almost entirely under canvass, has surveyed
fifteen harbors or Islands and examined numerous
reported dangers.
Treaties have been made as at Tutuila and
treaty stipuatOns enforced, as at Apamama, in the
Gilbert Islands, where promised indemnity Tor inu
ries innicted and American property destroyed was
collected without any resort to force OF arms, and
simply by making firm demand, coupled with the
force it. With all this duty the exercises have
been constant, but so divided as to tall lightly
and easily upon the crew, who miss their accus-
toned drill and exercises when the weather Is
adverse.
This ship at sea, with everything set allow and
made all sail again in three Misunderstanding
sail from royals. She can double reef her tOpsails
in two and half minutes from the order IN royals
she can shorten sail, shift all three topsails and
make all sail again in fifteen minutes. In port
with royal and Opgallant yards across she has had
her yards and tOpgallant Tnasts on deck In one
minute and twenty seconds all her lower yards
and tOpmasts down in Jour ana half minntes-all
ataut again IN sixteen minutes and royal yards
across.
1t takes four minutes to send up topgallant
masts tOpgallant and royal yards and loose sails,
and all boats have been manned and armed for
service in less than five minutes. 10 prepare to
extinguish fire never takes over one and half
minutes after the crew reach their quarters, and
she can prepare for battle by day in two and half
minutes and by night In i've minutes; All this
any previous notice OF the character OF the exer-
else being given. She has badly beaten in exercise
case where competition was going on, the Nara
gansetts light yards and topgallant masts we're on
deck before her opponents topgallant masts were
'unfdded" even, and this was the champion ship,
too, at least she claimed TO be until the Nara
gansett beat her in every exercise
The Narraganset, besides her battery, carries a
torpedo attachment, and Is manned by seventeen
officers and 1888 blucjackets and marines. The
period OF service oil all the marine guard and OF all
the petty Officers expires within lew months,
when they hope to be relieved. Most Of
the crew shipped for the cruise out OF the men
comprising the crews of the wrecked Arctic whal-
ing ieet and many men are shipped as ordinary
seamen who are well able to do the duty Of able
bodied seaman.
The following is list OF the Narragansett's off,
ceTs:-
nldnder-Richard w. Meade
Lieutenant CO0tntdnder-A. H. Wright (cxecu-
tive Officer.
Lteutenants-Z. l.. Tanner (navgator), +. d. Tan
sing.
MdSfpr-H. D. Handy
MidshipHlen-- George A. Calhoun acting watch
0fllcer), NJ. +. Wright, w. j. Ray ana +. H. Lc-
favor.
Passed Assistant Pdvn,dster--G. II. Grlfing.
Assistant SuryeOn--H q. Eckstcin.
First Assistant Engfaeey-J Is. Carpenter.
Ghiiner-J e. Foster
observation-disclosures Savage.
Cterh.s-T. X. McGren and George b. Reinman.