The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-25


Anxiety Concerning the Monitors Ajax
and Dictator-PrecautIOns of the Navy
DEPARTING nt-The Evoluttons OF tho
Eleventh Day.
ON BOARD UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP WABAsH,)
FLORIDA BAY Feb. Is, 1874. !
The mail from Cedar Keys brought word from
the monitor Ajax, regarding whose non-arrival
some serious apprehensions were beginning to be
entertained. The welcome news that she was
riding safe in Tybee Toadstead, and was taking ON
coal to complete her voyage, spread rapidly over
the feet. Such news almost seems to spread with
the wind. The startling information from the
Navy Department which the Fortune, Lieuten-
ant Commander Green, brought from Key
West, directing that two vessels be sent
in search OF the Dictator, rather dampened
the feeling OF joy. Among all the grades
Of naval officers the suspense felt deeply, for
there was none who did not have at least one
friend board the craft. feel at liberty to write
the true state Of feeling, for by the time this ap-
pears In print the question of the Dictators safety
will have been definitely settled. In my despatch
tonight shall go no further than to give the alb
solute news, for know how many SAD hearts one
little word could make II sent by me over the
wires to the HERALD, and as far as am personally
concerned should rather get ''beaten" on the
news Of her loss III such dire calamity should
befalD than to cause even one pang OF anguish to
q mother, wife or lover, by giving currency
to any OF the dreadful rumOrs that are
liable to get anoat. The missing vessel has
been picked to pieces at the dinner table Of every
ward room mess In the neet Her "Overhangn has
been declared dangerous, her deck beams weak
her steering gear deficient. No one SO poor in his
knowledge Of the craft but can now find weak
points In her construction. There is one very
worthy and notable exception, however, and that
Is Fleet Engineer ROBBIE, who asserts, in spite OF
rumors or facts. that the Dictator is safe, and in
every way able to take care OF herself One voice
like this will stop o world OF ill.timed rumors.
Admiral Case exercised the very utmost despatch
In sending the Brooklyn and Wachusett OF because
OF the importance OF settling all anxietes Of mind
regarding the Dictator at the very earliest mo-
ment Both vessels were under way In less than
half an hour after the Intelligence was received.
THE ELEVENTH DAYS EvOLUTIONs,
on the sixteenth day Of the cruise, Wednesday,
February Is, passed OF smoothly. The dawn came
clear and beautiful am told by an ofhcer OF the
ton to s'turn out" before eight O'Clock, at which
time the coffee Is served Every prospect OF as
warm a day rs yesterday was my mental weather
prophecy as l assembled to the spar deck, just as
weighed at nine, and the feet stood out on
the usual westward course In columns OF
divisions" the same formation in which they
anchored on Tuesday evening. The next signal,
columns, from the right Of division vessel; fleet
right obliqne; right vessel forward" Although
the several divisions are formed In columns the
erect OF the signal Is to form the fleet into column.
The line OF bearing Tor ell the divisions being the
right vessel In EACH IL Is readily seen 10y consult
Ing The last diagram IN YesterdaHs letter. that tRe