New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-29
NAVAL PREPARATIONS IN EARNEST


AN EXCITING DAY Al THE BROOKLYN NAvY-YARD-
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT ORDERS STORES FOR
10000 MEN.
Yesterday morning Rear Admiral Melancthon
Smith, late Superintendent Of the Philadelphia Naval
Hospital who was formerly the commandment OF the
Brooklyn Navy-Yard visited Vce-Admiral Rowan, and
had long and private conference with him. 1t is ru
mOred in naval circles that Admiral Rowan is TO be
given squadron in active service, and that Admiral
Smith who is on the retired list is 10 resume his old
position as Commandant
This probable change is understood 10 meet with the
hearty approval OF Admiral Rowan who is known to be
an advocate OF active measures in the Cuban matter
1t understood that number Of naval Officers OF
high rank retired. who have offered their services
10 the Department, will be assigned 10 commands on
the vessels preparing for sea in the various
yards. The which was current at the yard yes
terday that the Government, In view Of probable hos
tties had decided purchase large number of YES
sells TO used Transports was the cause of great salts
faction 10 many officers on waiting orders. Capt
shufedt visited the yard yesterday and had conference
with Admiral Rowan. Capt Ransom is busy engaged in
superys eng the remaining preparations OF his vessel
the Colorado. Commodore Rogers is talked OF as the
commander Of the Minnesota.
Midshpman Charles Terrell has been detached from
the Supply and placed waiting orders. He was sent
home on the Supply, from the European squadron, on
account of i'll health Boatswain VIM Winchester re-
ported yesterday for duty on the Colorado.
The order received by telegraph at the yard yesterday
morning from the Bureau OF Provisions In Washington
10 have stores for 10000 men got ready to be shipped at
a moments notice, caused intense excitement and
famed the war fever 10 blaze II was the principal
tonic of conversation among officers and men, and
served TO strengthen the idea that the preparations
which have been so actively pushed forward mean
nothing less than war The magnitude of this order
NAV he eomprehended when II ls shown that over
100000 pounds OF bread $1,000 pounds OF butter, aud
other stores in equal proportion arc included In this
reouston The contracts for this Immense quantity Of
stores have been awarded and no time will be lost IN
filling them The Brooklyn yard is thesgreat depot for
the distribution Of stores and s capacity VIII be taxed
to its very utmost I'LL this vast order At present the
snunly Department filing former requisition for
stores for 25OQ for three months and Long DOCK
has been scene Of great activity, and lighters have
been constantly engaged III landing provisions brought
over from this city
Orders we're received at the yard yesterday to have
lsncn gun and OF Ead's steam gun carriages got
ready TO be placed Admiral Porers torpedo boat
Alarm Alb ocloek yesterday afternoon she was towed
NV tug over TO the Morgan Iron Works OF this city,
where her machinery will DO put H. The date OF her
completion is not definitely known The order 10 de
osh the IN the poop cabins OF tue Coorado
audi Minnesota and to place Elk inch guns In the space
thus gained revoked yesterday and the sserooms
are TO be replaced much to the satisfaction OF the car
no,ters and ioipers The plan of having linch stern
chaser on the poop decks OF these asnamed vessels mas
not been changed.
large gang Of painters were hard at WORK on the
Colorado yesterday, and all her Dnelncn guns nave
been nut on board floating derrick lies alongside.
and the extra spars are being placed on board The
proectes are all on board and the remainder OF her
battery will be taken to-day. aud she will not leave
the dock TIL she sails for Cuban waters. Her CABIN
furniture Is nearly all board and the ofeers quar-
tiers begf 10 look decidedly comfortable.
Nearly 200 men at work on the Minnesota, In the
various departments Her copper sheathing Is nearly
finished The swatara IL TO be hauled away from her
moornes athwart the dry dock today, to enable the
Spanish ironclad 10 be taken out, II she IL ready AT
late hour yesterday afternoon the repairs on the
Arapilss nearly finished All the plates had been
put on and only little wood work remained 10 be done
The feeling at the yard that the Government will order
her detention dispatches ~ that effect looked for
hourly. Prominent naval officers say that 10 would be
downright folly TO LET her to and that IN the pres
en inefficient state OF the 10 would be like grinding
knife TO cut ones throat Work the monitors goes
OIL necessarily The brass tubes for the Diotators
boilers sTe oil board and largo force OF steam, cd