The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-13
BROOKLYN NAVY YARD.

RoanOke-The Approaching Drill Or
Key West-Opinions Concerning the
Feasibility OF q Naval Tournament i'm
the Lower Buy.
The United States monitor Dictator went into
commission at the Brooklyn Navy Yard yes
terday. At half-past ten O'Clock Commander
Ralph Chandler, on behalf of the Admiral, turned
over the vessel named having previously caused
the flag to be holsted on the hagstar aft to Cap
tain William F. Spicer. She was duly declared IN
commission and pleasant cruise was wished the
new custOdlans OF this sturdy engine OF war. The
officers were introduced to one another
and proceeded to make an inspection
OF their quarters, which are cOmmodious
and handsomely ftted-in fact, all that could be
expected on monitor. Her stores are all on
board, and her crew, numbering about $50 men,
recruited on board the receiving ship Vermont,
took up their positions on the vessel In the after
noon aud have been assigned by the executive
officer to their respective watch and drill stations.
Captain Spicer informed the writer yesterday that
she would get or about the latter part of the week.
as there Is nothing apparent to detain her here
any longer. Her destination is the rendezvous at
Key West The following are the officers Of the
Dictator:-
Cdptatra-William F. Spicer
Lieutenant COnanGnderS-H. B. RObesOn execu-
tive ofncer; B. 9. Lamberton navigator.
Lseutenants.F; P. Gilmore, r. M. Berry, w.
Master-H. 7. Monahan.
Surgeon-A :. Oberly.
| Edmund Olsen and r J. Bennett; second assist
| ant, A. 3. Bates.
| She carries two 15-inch guns, and is the fastest
Of the lronclads Of the navy having made 10 knots
at the yard for the past two months, during which
time new brass tubes have been placed in her boil
ers and her machinery has undergone thorough
overhauling. She will prove great acquisition to
our fleet in West India waters.
The Juniata, Commander d. L. Braine. will con-
| voy the Dictator to her destination. The former
| vessel is now at the yard lying alongside of the
| Florida.
| The triple turreted iron snip Roanoke will 60
| into commission to-day. Captain George II.
Cooper win command her. ana she will ny the
Will transfer her crew to the Roanoke and several
OF her oficers. The defences OF the harbor win be
greatly enhanced by this Ship which Is one OF the
most powerful engines OF war in the navy.
| MONTAUK.
| The monitor MOntauk, which was towed from
Washington to the Brooklyn yard, has been taken
| to the dock OF the Morgan Iron Works, New York,
! will occupy three months time.
OPINIONS CONCERNING THE NAVAL TOURNAMENT.
| HERALD reporter conversed with a prominent
naval official upon the subject OF the approaching
| grand naval dril on Key West. The name of the
officer Is not printed for the reason that subordi
mates are humorous OF expressing an opinion which
| superiOrs, or even draw down upon them the
anger Of the Secretary OF the Navy, because, per.
| chance, their views may not be 'just the right
thing, by being at variance with those higher IN
| authority. The reporter inquired OF the officer
what he thought Of the coming drill of the neet at
'swel," was the answer, ut is an excellent idea,
and wonder that 1t should ever nave occurred TO
the dry bones of our government to utilize the
| war vessels in such o manner at all. wonder how
they can afford TO- expend blank cartridges
| and submit to the wear OF machinery
and tackle for such a purpose, inasmuch
appears that netting can com
| i suppose, alter assembling such fleet there
there are % war vessels-and as there was no glory
to be obtained by fighting the Dons, why, the Secre
| tary made up his mind that we might as well play
fighting, as IL WERE"
| .'But you recognize the fact that our navy,
officers and men, must need squadron drill, do you
.sOh yes; certainly, do The exercise will be
good Tor all hands, as 1t Is many years since we
in a'V our navy, though such drills are FIRE.
quent in the English and other European
bile our fleet had some exercise OF the Sort but
| since then we have never had sufficient number
OF ships at any one point to drill with. The sight
"wOnt such a drill be feasible in New York
Harbor-say, for instance. in the lower bay-think
certainly it would. There is ample sea room in
| the lower bay for rs vessels to maneuvre 1t
aord an opportunity for the President caSin aa
| congressman, senators and hundreds OF thousands
| OF people to witness the spectacle, which would
attract people from all parts OF the country The
| Congressman OF the great Northwestern Empire.
! VINO, never having seen manof-war, would be
impressed by the scene. and for the future might
| experience some awakened sentiment of national
pride wnen appropriations for naval purposes came
up before them ior their SANCTION. fhe Highlands
and Sandy Hook would afford good points OF
observation, besides fleets OF excursion boats could
furnish accommodations Tor people on the water.
there Is no reason why the fleet now at Key West
(the government wiiling), having become expert
@s To es Mny nS
entertain the people by the grandest naval tourna-