The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-10
BROOKLYN NAVY YARD.

The Roanoke, Dictator, Minnesota, Flor
Ida - Vessels in Ordinary and ora
stOcks-Thc Arapiles Going to SPAIN
The Late BOatswain Nelson.
Captain George II. Cooper has reported for com.
mand Of the irOnclad, trpple-turreted monitor
Roanoke, which vessel is now receiving her coat of
paint preparatory to going into commission early
next week. she Will ny the pennant of Vice Ad
mral Rowan, the Port Admiral. The present flag
ship, Frolic will go out OF commission as soon as
the Roanoke is ready and her officers and crew will
be transferred to the monitor.
MONITOR DICTATOR.
The Dictator, monitor, will be ready to go in
commission early next week, the construction de-
partment having almost finished the WORK OF fitting
her out. Captain Spicer has been ordered to CON-
mand her, but, fnasmuch as the Captain is sick
abed. it is probable that Commander James E.
JOuett will not be disturbed from the post to which
he was originally assigned as commandant OF the
Dictator. The latter 0ficer Is ordered to report
for duty as q member OF the Board OF Inspectors as
soon as his relief shall have arrived. This splendid
engine OF war, which carries two 13 inch guns and
Is 1,75O tons burden, can make 10 knots an hour.
She will take the lead Of the iron-clads in the grand
naval drill which is to take place next month or
Key Vest
MINNESOTA.
The lower and tOpsail yards Of the splendid
frigate Minnesota, As guns, are already crossed,
and large force OF workmen Is employed in pre-
pairing her for sea. The oficers, who were ordered
to her during the late impending crisis with Spain,
are renewing their influence with the Secretary Of
the Navy to be again assigned to this noble ship,
it is understood that she will proceed to the
Mediterranean In the course OF month to take
the place Of the flagship wabash, which ship Is
now at Key West and Is not likely to be sent TO
Enr0nnQn wotnrg
Mediterranean are ever popular, and the amount
Of influence brought to bear on the detail clerk OF
the bureau Is said to he awful in this instance.
THE FLORIDA.
The second rate screw steam sloopot-war
at the cob dock undergoing the finishing touches
OF the construction department. 1t was the in
tention OF the Navy Department to send her to
reinforce the North Atlantic squadron, bnt now
that national honor has been abandoned by Fish
the Florida will not float toward Key West. Her
ultimate destination will be the East Indies. she
is the fastest snip in the American navy and can
steam 10 knots an hour.
Tn. second rate s 1aGN .soon-o,var Delaware
81 guns, displacement 1000 which was Tor a time
used at Quarantine, New York, is lying in ordinary
being no longer OF any use to the government.
The Npsic third rate, screw, guns. displace-
msn a $780, is also in ordinary at the yard
quehanna, % guns, displacement 1850, which was
stripped OF her outward planking about four years
ago, Is also lying in ordinary at the yard awaiting
funds wherewith to ut her for sea-
ON THE STOCKS
is q new soop-ofwar, authorized by the last ses-
sion OF Congress, which vessel Will not be built
be lore July l. The Java, II guns; New York, II
guns, and the Colossus, 10 guns, are also on the
stocks where they are likely to remain until they
fall apart or are blown up by foreign foe in the
event OF an enemy entering our harbOr.
There are about 2, 100 men employed in the sew
eral departments OF labor In the yard. Now that
Congress has determined upon deducting
S. COO 900 from the estimate OF the navy of course
there will be discharge OF workmen from all the
yards about the 18th inst.
THE ARAPILEs.
The Spanish irOn-clad Arapiles, after many adven-
lures by dry dock and mud, promises to get away
from this festive scene at an early day and to turn
her sturdy PROV toward old Spain She concluded
the task OF shipping her heavy armament OF II
guns nom the salutng dock at the yard yester-
day, and will receive her powder from
Ellis Island magazine to-day. While other
vessels OF the Spanish navy saw ut to
deface the insignia OF royalty, the gilt crown,
shield, &C. from their prows, while CASTELAR, occu-
pied the chair Of the President Of the spanish Re-
public the Commodore OF the Araptes never re.
moved the grand old emblem Of Spatn's most gl0-
rious days, so that his ship, at least, is now IN
order among the monarchcally inclined Dons.
THE JUNIATA
left the dry dock yesterday and hauled out to the
long dock where she will be fitted out Tor sea and
sail next week for Key West Tho Swatara Is re-
cetving her machinery, and will be ready for
service ab0ut May1.
THE LATE BOATSwAN WILSON.
Boatswain william Nelson died at the Naval Hos
Dttal. Flushing avenue. ON THURSDAY last After q