The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-15
NAVY YARD AFFAIRS.
corruption N UNCLE SANS BROOKLYN rsrAn

gong politicians who manipulate the Brooklyn Navy
iard as political machine begin the manufacture of
republican votes by the employment OF an additional
force ofworkmen. ofcourse burdens OF rroannc
payers are not taken into consideration the objective
point being to 'hclp the party" All through tho sum-
mer the yard has aspect consistent with atbe
piping times Of peace.n
For six months past tho average number OF men en-
ploycd about eleven hundred. Next week tho
party wire pulers will add large forcc TO this num-
Der An official who is well posted upon navy yard az
fairs has stated that Monday will see six hundred
additional men set to work in the Departments OF Con-
structon ana Yards and Docks, where COS mechanics
now at work.
now POLITICAL PLUyDERRRs SECURE PATRONAGE
The official referred to above who occupies a promi-
nent naval position quite indignant at the misuse
OF Uncle SANS property by politicians. SAID he to
the writer:-"Th only departments in the yard
used for political purposes are the Construction
and Yards and Docks All the others loft TO the
exercise Of their legitimate functions Those men
toned great political power, and every autumn
repeats the same shameful practices in them. body
of workmen influenced by this gang Of politicians
to TO work with tho expectation of permanent
tons, and they got their votes thoy gradu-
ally reduce the force and send the poor men away
There lot OF political beats coming In here by
scores and demanding the appointment OF aborcrs
Tho constructors have to keep in league with Thorn
their removal is certain. A number of
ROTTEN BE UTrLrzED
as an excuse for the employment Of deuded mechanics
this season. These hulks which were partially built
during the rebellion have been eyesore in tho yard
for several years They housed up stand along
the Cob Dock presenting the appearance OF overgrown
shanties The first shiphouse contains the sloopof-
war Java. which was begun in 1864 She is built OF
ygh Ito nak andh hn1I
work on her stopped The of the vessel thus
far has been about 100000 Naval officers say that
she can never he made seaworthy. The only use 10
which she can DO put will be for coal barge or store
ship. To make her 1T for either duty will nocessitate
an expenditure OF about $500 Notwithstanding tho
act that would be unsafe for the vessel go sea-
It was stated that the Construction Committee will have
4 her fitted out for the Asatic squadron.
rIIE COSTLY colossus
Close by the Java the great Colossus stands rottng
on the stocks She is and deserves her name
but she be used otherwise than for frewood
plank torn from her side showed that the frame Of
the vessel was dccayed and wormeaten The Colossus
was intended for double turret iron clad, and her
framework was built of the white oak which
ensivcly used during the national crisis Had she been
completed according to the original plans she would
have been the finest vessel In the service 1t about
$500 600 to do the work which is the Colossus
and this will be total loss to the government Tho
only work done Oh her was done in 1854
OUR STATES NAVAL SAMEsAKE
The sioop OF war New York, comfortably sheltered
near the Colossus, appears to be the only
three vessels started but not completed during the
which can be used Built OF well seasoned live oak
she is in as good condition when the workmcn ceased
their abors her Only the framework of the vessel
has been constructed but that tough as iron Tho
vessel was begun in 1864 and the ordered TO
stop work upon her the cessation of hostilties
About 5000 600 have been expended on her IL will
cost 900 to complete the vessel What will DO
done with her remains to be Tho New York was
intended for steamer similar TO the Tennessee. On
the new
TRENTON
about three hundred men are busily employed The
work rs TO be pushed forward as rapidly possible,
and 1t is expected she will be launched by New Years
Day This vessel Is ono Of the ten authorized to be
built by recent act of Congress- The Trenton which
! 100000
Intelligence has been received at tho Navy Yard of
tho safe arrival at Norfolk, Va OF the United States
frigate Powhatan, Captain James p. .ouctt with tho
monitor Monauk which she had towed from this mort
The Montauk which is practically new monitor hav-
ing been rebuilt of iron. is in condition for any
service that may be assigned hcr She carries very
heavy battery and tho recent alterations have made her
an excellent boat fit for extensive cruises foreign
waters necessary She has been sent to Norfolk for
the purpose OF laying her up in fresh water where
composition OF her iron will not BIO rapid in
water.
THE CORVETTE swATARA
Tho corvette Swatara Commander A. p Cooke is
nearly ready for the alterations and repairs having
been completed Sailors were busy yesterday taking
stores ON board The Naval Department have decided
TO send the Swatara to join the European squadron
instead n OF to Hayt and South America as
first intended She Is model OF beauty and
comfort and ir her boilers what they ought to he
she will probably display remarkable speed for n
of-war under steam alone. AS sailer she is
ordinarily fast, equalng of crack clippers in
her performances and IL her steam department up to
the standard would require the cctest craft escape
her. Although most admirably arranged as to her in
terror accommodations Doth Tor officers and men, tho
original designers seemed to havo overlooked most
important and vital feature in her conslruction-vz
ventilation. Singular as may appear, il is nevorthc-
thelcss true that the naval constructors placed tho
mouth OF tho ventiators OH tho berth deck in
stead OF tho spar deck, and tho consequence
is all the noxious fumes and vapors arising from the
blge OF the ship passed in all their offensive and
unhealthy volumes directly INTO that portion OF the
where officers toad nj
| being conveyed 10 the spar deck where tho air
might disspate them How this extraordinary over
sight has been permitted TO pass long Is a won
der. lftho ship should get into region OF cpdemics
IT would surely be converted into floating pest house.
because tho system OF ventilation would be the very
means of spreading the disease. Tho new frigate
Trenton is being but on the erroneous plan
when It makes its first Who has charge Of the
sanitary arrangements Of navy2 Something
ought TO be done before these ships sacrifice half their
complement Of officers and men.
The steam frgate Colorado is being temporarily used
receiving ship in consequence Of the Vermont I'M
dergoing repairs. The latter vessel lis TO have new
decks placed in her at cost OF $40, 600
Admiral Portcr's torpedo boat, The Alarm arrived
on Wednesday from Newport and was moored at the
Cob Dock. Admiral Porter. her designer processes
himself thoroughly satisfied with tho series OF expert
mcnts Just concluded. The Alarm is 10 feet length
beam 81 feet has nine water tight Compartments a
double skin and is plated at the bow. She is now on
her way TO tho Washington Navy Yard where her Hood
ing apparatus and some other attachments will be com
plotcd. The Intrepid another torpedo boat is still at
the yard steam launch has recently been built at a
cost Of $500 The only other vessels at tho yard
the condemned Susquchanna and the transports Supply
and Guard.
THE POwHATAN.
II is understood that the Powhaan will be placed In
the hands Of the workmcn at the Norfolk Yard 10
undergo some slight repairs and certain changes
sary TO III her for tac special duty she Will be
assigned in the Mediterranean. She will doubtless DO
sent 10 or two Italian and French ports To receive
and bring home such goods may be awaiting her
designed for exhibition at the Centennial at Phila-
dclphia Eext year As has been the practice hitherto
articles belonging to American citizens will be conveyed
from and to Europe free Of charge when intended for
our International Exposition large number OF
pieces Of stauary from Rome and Florence will doubt
less be brought from Italy by the Powhntan in man
ncr more safe and satisfactory than could be done by
private means The frgatc will be In tho Mediterranean
about January next
MADDIAnCC AMI nCArtIS