The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-16
OUR ASIATIC SQUADRON.
AMERICAN NAVAL VESSELS IN YoKoHAMA-DE-
PARTURE OF THE ALERT FOR SAN FRAN


PARTURE OF THE ALERT FOR SAN FRAN
CISCO.
YOKOHAMA, Japan JAN H. 1879.
Our harbor has been quite lively recently, in
sequence of the presence of number Of foreign
men-of war. which find it about pleasant place
to winter any in Japan. We have had quite
number of vessels belonging to the United States
Asiatc squadron in port. but they will be off
cruising in various directions
THE ALERT WAY HOME.
The United States steamer Alert, Commander
Marley, who relieved Commander Boyd in the COM
mand of that vessel, by orders of the Navy Depart
ment, sailed the 4th inst for San Francisco and
Mare Island Navy Yard for repairs and to carry home
such men of the squadron whose terms Of enlistment
will expire in few months together with u number
of invads sent home for hospital treatment dis
charge by recommendation OF boards Of medical
veys. There were but few of the latter, as the
health of the squadron, am informed has been ex-
ceedngly good considering the trying duty they
have been compelled TO perform the China coast
a duty made more rigorous since the President has
put in force the law against the coolie trade While
it is not believed by the best informed Americans
consuls and merchants that there have been any
rous violations of the statutes against the coole traffic
tor years past the commanding officers of the United
naval vessels have exercised the most Jealous
and thorough surveillance over the movements of
American ships in China waters. This duty, of
course makes it necessary for -ofwar to fire.
uuent the great ports south where American mer-
chant vessels visit. and where the summer months
are fearfully hot and exhaustng. Although the
Ranger spent the summer in Hong Kong and the
Alert in Annoy and Swallow. the health of the officers
and men remained very good, though the heat was
excessive
of the 4th her homeward bound pennant streamcd
beyond the atfrail. and its end danced lightly
the water. The flagship Monongahela first gave her
dodspeed by manning rigging and cheering most
vociferously. which the Alert's crew returned.
The Monocacy's and Rangers manned rig
ging and took up the refrain. and as
of that vessel sprang into the rigging and gave
cheer after cheer in the most spirited manner, the
band. meanwhile. the poop. playing the Star
Spangled Banner" Hail Columbia and other pa
troc airs. SO. before favorable wind, the gallant
Alert stood down the bay toward the broad Pacific
beginning her long voyage of 1900 miles 10 the North
American coast and il no accident occurs
she will make her destined port about the
sail alone She has been in commission over three
years and will require, it is said, considerable
pairs before she can he sent back to the station. If
she returns at all. She has been very efficient
cruiser while in the East. and is thoroughly good
vessel under sail or steam You will remember. she
is one of the new corvettes, ship rigged-a rig
that is greatly preferable to the schooner rig the
Ranger. which has disappointed every one.
OFFICERS OF THE ALERT.
The following Is q list of the officers of the Alert
when she saied:-
Cam manier--H. ID. Manley.
Lieutydm and Erecutre O0icer-F. NJ. Barber.
L,eut',ant and Narigatr--w. w. Kimball.
Licatendnt-C. i. Norton.
Masier-James f. Keller.
Etsign--J. VI. Robertson.
MidSaipmen-G G. Foulk, c. C. Rogers and J. c..
Gilmore
Chiet Engineer Edward Farmer.
1Sstsfdpf IuVndsfrr-(eorQe f. BauQhmlu.
fdst assistant Smgeon-C. a. Siesfrici
C,iiet higineerS--F. @. Bieg. II. Gage and G.. L.
Burd.
Captains C.erl--H d. Higgins.
Payaasters Cisrh--w III. cutting.
Bo1ts,coin--H. Dickinson.
Before her departure Ensign c. J. Badger was
transferred to the Monocacy aud Lieutenant c. A.
Adams was ordered to the Ranger. Master Keller
transferred from the Monocacy to the Alert,
while Midshiplnan Foulk was sent to- her from the
Monocacy. and Mdshipmcn Rogers aud Gilmore
from the Monongahela the latter ordered home for
examination for promotion.
The United States soop Monocacy. Commander
Sumner. understand is to go Shanghai via Maya
saki, early day She has been locked and cleaned
and il In fine condition
The Ranger. Commander Boyd remains here for
while to clean boilers which they needed badly not
having been touched since she went into commission
nearly three years ago She made nearly eleven knots
on a speed trial short time ago under steam alone.
and the Alert Is about As fast-not bad results
siderng the small amount ot coal they consume.
The Monongahela Captain Fitzhugh, IN in good
condition, and AZ handsome man-of-war lies in
the harbor to-day.
JAPANESE roLLy.
Mr.. Reid. NJ p. the great English naval architect,
arrived from England yesterday, accompanied by his
son. Splendid quarters have been provided for him
by the Japanese government at Toxic u is said that
his engagement Is for fIoO0 per year IL the Japanese
would spend the money wasted on useless iron
clad navy in opening communication throughout the
interior their income would be wisely laid out but
as IL is the country is going TO the bad simply
because they think they must rival great naval
Powers in big ship. and big guns. Meanwhile the
elected or overlooked.