The New York herald., 1878-09-13
THE RUSSIAN CRUISERS.

RAPID COMPLETION OF THE NEW VESSELS AT
PHIL iDELPHIA-EunoPE, ASIA, AFRICA AND
AMERICA SPEED, STRENGTH, COMFORT AND
LuxURY-woBKISe BY CALCIUM LIGHT.
PniLApKLrHIA. Sept. II, 1878.
A visit TO Cramps shipyard at Keps'ngion, where
the Russian cruisers being built, is almost enough
TO persuade one that the decadence aud ruin OF the
American sbippuilding interest, Of which we near
so much, is fable The whirriag ald ouzz'ns
ef machinery. the pufhpg OF steam engines, tho
eanr Of the ironworkcrs' hammers, the mufiet thud
o, the cakers tools the splitting Of the carpenters
aze md the sreaking OF the tackle and hosting ma
chlres resound on all sdca There arc so many inen
al work amid this OF hustle and confusion that
they seem 10 be each others way TO the stranger
IGNORANT of The system and perfect organization
controlling them all. Over nineteen hundred
mechanics daily and nightly pass In aSd out OF The
yarc. FOR the work on the Russian ships goes on by
calcium light after nighfall and over $50 900 Is paid
every week ip wages the men actually engaged IN
The yard not including the saimaksrs, uphostercrs,
decorators and others whose abcrs are performed
elsewhere.
AS stated in the HEKALD on Tuesday, the work ON
the Russian ships is progressing very rapidly. All
but one OF the four nearly ready tor sea.
THE EUROPE
The Europe formerly the state oil California tthe
ship pu refused by Russia Immediately after she had
been launched in May lasp, is the largest
aud finest. She is In tho most advanced
condition. Her engines are rendy 10 be
started, her sails have been bent, and nothing re-
mains 20 be dono but to finish some Of tho fancy
Joiner work and polished woodwork in tho cabins and
staterooms and to put in place Tho upholstery, cur
tains, carpets and beddinx Her stores already
hain Mt NH
being slowed while the writer was examining the
ship to-day Iu three four days there
will be wharf trial OF her engines, under the nspec
tion the Russian engineers who will arrive here
the Cimbra tomorrow. The plans under which this
handsome vessel was TO be completed havc been pub
lished 10 full In these columns IS not necessary
to repeat tho details here. She has been nnished In
entire accordance with them. An iron rail, breast
high. will prstect and conceal her battery, which
will consist, II Is said, OF three heavy guns on the
UPPER spar Deck 10 be mounted on pivot carriages
ana 10 traversing rails laid in tho deck, 30 az
TO DO used amidships pivot guns or at the rail,
broadside. There rs no armament now aboard any OF
the ships is officially stated that they will be
sent TO Crons,adt without any. A double iron rail
guard about the engine hatch. breast nigh, pro-
tects the machinery
Below the gun dock tho quarters tor o11cers and
sailors models OF comfort and elegance. The men
before the mast seem TO be better cared Tor than IN
our navy, lar room and accommodations 70.
Lockers and drawers, folding tables and chairs,
Ing clothing. cooking utensils, NC, are abun-
danty provided Tor the men. Hammocks and
hammock net,lngs on the upper deck. The hospital
accom- ations are admirable. ana tho writer has
never seen such commodous sick bay on board an
American nan-of- war this Russan ship 10 pro-
vided with. The warrant officers have plenty
Of room amidsnips. and mmedl.'ey ns ,,.,n at
with good sized staterooms ana dining and sitting
room combined, well appointed and convenient
Ns1s n s nnon IL.
OF the officers. ranged along other side. Tho
enos anna ike '0 III: o e lighted
and decorated in bright and cheerful
colorx Rich divans aud rugs complete tho furnish.
lug. which will be dark maroon In color Back OF tho
wardroon Is anoher anteroon, upon which opens the
second ofaccr's rooms two in number
Next tho captains quarters, which are ampleand
luxursnt He has bedroom, bathroom, dining room
anu STa'y' ans semcircsar a cabin. where tho
decorators art has been given full play to render
every surround,ps r'cn ana e,essns IN. wa.s and
pie and other bard woods. handsomely polished, and
She carpets dvass, easy chairs and hanginEs are 70
be OF dark cr,rpson. The iron supports and stanch
IONS ara made 70 serve ornamental columns BY 4
being painted whito and fu,sd with siidea capitals
Thrce OF bathrooms and closets are provided on
the ship, and all tho officers rooms have clcctric
bells aud stoam heating cois
The Europe, ~ Is said, IS 70 DO commanced BY Cap
tain Gripenbsta, with Captain Chopin as nrst Officer
This latter position was offended for Lieutenant
"nItop,opaicIy died In New YORK not long since The
Europe WIN be completed within weeks time.
The nor. vessel ,s the Asa. formerly tho Columbus,
of Clydss line. she has been 30 completely altered
from truck to keel as to make nor new snip. She
was taken or tho dry dock shs morning, where she
had been for lrcc weeks have vertical iron keel
added She Is yet 10 be fitted with small boats, have
ss. g. ss,ii ~ 3. snsSed 10 Two weeks time Like
the Europe, she has thrce masss square risged and
has Cramps compound sns,1's s. .ns Eaoops .., VIII
coal ana the Asia and Africa will hold about 200
tons zach. All three vessels have eoal stowed ON
either side tho engine, against the snfps 'nnor
Eheathing as q defence IN action.
AFRICA.
Tho third cruiser 10 tho Africa. Sho was formerly the
Sarasoga, Of Wards Line, New York 10 Havana She
il now ship, having been built by Roach only
year ago ana Is the vessel wScn b. vas 90 as0ron:.e
launched she has been cut down and 10
completely altered 10 mako Russian cruiser
would recognize his own progeny. The
Cramps will be ready to turn her over TO the Russian
tho Africa ike the California, are fitted up tas;efuv
and luxuriany for tho officers and very comfortably
hsrawood nnlsh and soii. richly colored upholstery
The Asia will be commanded BY Captain Avalon and
tho Africa by Captain Alexien: All the vessels will
be manned by the Russian sailors now on .beir way
10 Philadelphia in the Cimbra Tho ships will sail
direct for cronsad., Is understood, ana win .hcre
board their guns and be Inspected By tho
Gear and the chief naval authorities.
FOURTH WEASEL
The fourth aud last oil the Russian war ships now
beng built here is the new one on tho stocks, No.
203 whose keel was laid only short time ago. Her
ished 10 November. Sho has not been
named yet. but will DO called the
Amcrics, and IL dcstined, II rs said. for Captnin
Loman. Tnc new ship Is OF q beautiful model She
is worry long ana low, with very sharp bows, and Is
built Tor high rate OF speed. Snc will be bark
riReed, with lying sails the mainmast. She Is $50
icet long, 80 ieet beam and 20 ect hold, with ], 100
tons displacement she rs to draw 10 eot OF
water, and, according to contract, must be ablc 10
make AZ least nfteen knots. Like the others, shc
IN have two decks, and will he finished In tho same
stylo She Will have Cramps compound engines OF
J. 900 Indicated horse power. she Is SAID TO be tho
sm alest vessel built by the vracket censtruc
ton, beipg between the bracket and transverse con-
with great longitudinal strength.
ARRIVAL OF THE CIMBRA At PHILADELPHIA
YEsTRBDAY--IHE OFFICERS TO GO ASHORE
AND THE SAILORS TO DE TRANSFERRED TO