The New York herald., 1875-11-22
THE NAVY.

AND cAPACITY-THE VESSELS AND MATERIAL.
THERE.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Nov. 90 1875
The Navy Yard at this naval station is naturally one
OF the most beautiful and best located in the country
and capable with comparatively small outlay, of being
made Of the most effective building yards in the
world. And the Naval Committee Of both branches of
Congress their examining tour TO all the yards
the year bore testimony to the stanch and
workmanke condition of all departments OF this yard
so much that the opinion OF at least Congress-
changed, after hts VISIT from previous de-
sire recommend the discontinuance Of this yard.
The yard is located-the buildings wharves, floating
dry dock, &c.-at present upon Fernald's Island,
formerly called, on the Maine side OF
the Piscataqua River; but the government a few
years since made a very valuable and pur-
chase OF another large island called Seaveys adjacent
to the rst for 500 600 which extends far down the
river greatly increasing the deep water front and almost
indefinitely enargng the capabilities Of the yard for
Improvement The purchase has been but little
utilized a. yet except to furnish much needed supply
OF pure for the yard but whenever works for the
manufacture OF iron plating &c, shall be added here
Seayeys Island viii doubtless be the site for their loca
tion. At low tide the shallowest channel soundngs
.the BARI five feet three inches. Portsmouth was
settled 1923 and from The very earliest date this has
been a shipbulldlng community and skllfu workmen
coupled with the acts OF the great depth OF the river
and harbor, and their perpetual freedom from ice in
the coldest weather. renders the location in every
one hard TO excel The early frosts and clear cold
weather OF this region also constitute this very
full quarantine station for infected government vessels
and hospital for sick seamen for the accommodation of
which liberal anchorage IS furnished Wood Island,
the lower harbor and suitable buildings have been
erected upon this island which have been leased by the
United States for long term of years. This yard
before In so good condition as now for turning
out large amount OF work in short time. The tim
-1.a. apI Hal .,,sh
material OF all sorts, and most of IL believed to be
the best OF its kind; and whereas, at the commence
nent OF the late war, all the three shphouses were
filled with eGete old Enthusiastically shipwrecked, dry
rotten and wormeaen before they
aunched-now nearly every spot where vessel might
be built Is clear of any encumbrance and ready TO
ceve a keel OF these five might be Land at once
or vessels Started, and two repaired the
same tlme-one each in two OF the ship houses,
on the railway above the dry dock, in the dock
and one or two on the timber Slip and the
conmodations OF Seavey's Island are almost lmtess
One or the ship houses only is occupied and this by
the first ironclad Of upward Of 600 tons,
ly, l think, called the Thunderer, but now, l be-
eve changed TO the Massachusetts-an immense hulk,
but probably OF little, I any value as vessel as much
OF her oak timber is affected with the dry There
are at present between 600 and 700 all depart
ments besides the numerous officers, foremen and
clerks employed in the yard; but this number could
easily doubled trebed at very short notice If de-
sired, about 4, 900 men were employed here during
the great rebellion. Most OF the workmen
ployed upon the new steamers Enterprise and Marion,
both being fitted for sea- The following is a list and
brief description of all the vessels comprising the
naval feet at this station, with their conditions,
The third rate screw steamer Marion which has been
rebuilt repaired by the government not by private
contract from the old ir1gate OF the name; but
usual such of late years there is but very
little of the old craft left beside the name, thorough
is the repair" the new vessel s beauty, and Is
understood by those who should be best informed here
TO be instructed TO proceed to Europe and bring hher
distinguished visitors or goods for the Centennial
at Philadelphia and TO remain there of the
sample vessels Of the United States Navy during
the Exhibition. She is first class vessel in every
III
yards wharves, nearly ready for Orders
ceyed few days since to have the Marion ready for
sea by December J. 10 employ all the requisite
this end, and TO work on sundays If necessary Ac-
cordingy, the gangs OF joiners painters machnists,
riggers &c. Immediately Increased on board, and
1.-THE sound Of the axe and the hammer is heard lively
enough all hands. The Marion will be commanded
by Commander Rooert r. Bradford oil TINS city now IN
charge Of the Department OF Navigation and Ordnance
this yard who has been detailed for this duty, and
is regarded as an able officer.
Then there is the tnrd rate but first class screw
Enterprise-rate referring, Of course to the
size and not the quality OF the vessewhch was built
by contract at tins yard Of government materials by
George b. Gnfths 4 Son. OF New York, being zone OF
the class OF eight they called which Congress,
three years ago, ordered built by this plan The
builders are well known and experienced government
contractors and the vessel is first class in all respects
but perhaps is only natural that the naval authorities
and workmen claim superiority Tor the government
built vessels for thorough stanchness The Enterprise
about 600 TONS and Is lying at the wharf with her
machinery ali in, lacking masts, rigging nboard
joiners' work and equipment, which, If necessary,
could be finished and furnished ready for sea perhaps
IN sixty days
The Essex No l OF this class built here by gov
ernment and IS now being finished al Charlestown
yard.
The Ticonderoga. an old third rate screw steamer,
larger than either ol the Others which returned from
three years voyage last year, lying at wharf
dsmantled and waiting orders She needs general
pairs, including, doubtless, new boilers, and could
probably be tilted for sea in three months or So
The Kansas, smaller fourth rate screw, also from
cruise, Is lying much In the same condition the
Tconderoga and might be hted for in two months
The Lancaster second rate screw, which has been
lying at Quarantine all summer, Is to be brought up to
the yard next week, her and ordnance removed
beng a larger vessel, would occupy time in
The old frigate Sabine, anchored near the yard is
used for a training ship for a hundred or more
boysand nice boys they are too, from the towns and
country all about-whose young ideas enlisted
schoolmaser usual board ofwar is teaching
how 70 sail and 10 light for their flag
The SDeedwel, iron tugboat, Is in commission and all
ready for in any emergency and the Emerald lit
tie steamer purchased In Philadelphia by ex-Assistant
good service a ferryboat between the yard aud
this city, distance Of mile by steam, but three
times that when rowod against the swift tide, as
always done previous 70 this boats coming
Within year Or two the yard has been lighted
with Tiaany's oleant gas that n case Of need the
command OF Commodore Andrew Bryson with Captain
Jonathan Young as executive officer both Of whom
efficient and popular officers
THE BOSTON NAVY YARD-A GENERAL REVIVAL
OF AcTIyITY--wHAT IS BEING DONE AND
WHAT is LIKELY TO he DONE.
BosroS Nov q, 1876
There has been quite revival OF activity the Bos-