The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1879-01-02
Departure of the Russian Ships

Departure of the Russian Ships.
The Philadelphia Times gives the fol-
lowing account Of the sailing from that
port Of two of the ships recently construct
ed for the Russian government
A heavy log, made heavier by the thick
fall of snow, hung over the river and OBJ
scured objects on land and water in all
directions. 1t was not until half-Dast
eight O'clock that the gloom had sui
ticiently cleared away to show the people
that thronged the shore from the yards
down to the dry dock. Al, the Russian
officers Of the other two ships, the Africa
and Mischief Maker, headed by Captains
AleXciet1' and l.oman, were on hand 10
see the others OIL The members Of the
trim Of Cramp \ Son were all ell maSse
Sailors on the Africa had climbed into the
rigging, and stood ready to throw their
caps in the air and give the two ships
their parting salute in a series OF r0usinG
cheers. At nine O'clock the Europe rails
ed her anchor, sailors flew to their places
and in fifteen minutes atterWard she start
ed. The moment she began to move
salute was fired from the ward. The Asia
weighed anchor half an hour later, and
was saiuted in the same manner. As the
Europe moved down the river loud cheers
broke from the Russian sailors left behind
and from those on shore. When She got
down to Clydes wharf a strange sight was
presented. The wharf was blocked with
people. The ship was no sooner oppo-
site than a salute Of three guns was given
her from the shore. Cheers arose from a
hundred lhroats. By command Of Cap
tam Grppenber- two hundred Russian
sailors climbed t. the rigging, waved
their caps To those on shore and cheered
The Asia, which was formerly owned by
Clyde's line, was saluted in the same
manner and gave a similar response. Au
the way down the river the vessels We're
greeted with cheers and occasionally with
the firing OF guns. At League Island sd
lutcs We're fired from The Government
Navy Yard and responded 10 by both
vessels
The Eur0pe's crew numbered two hun
bred, the Asia's one hundred and eighty
The vessels got down to the Cape shortly
after four O'clock BY this time it was So
dark from the fog ana heavy rain which
began to fall at noon. that it was barely
DJNSl BIt ~ AlolllI-, USl 4IOat AilttI lIIt OLl
lines of other vessels passing NJ and
down. The speed Of the Europe was
about thirteen and half knots an hour
that OF the Asa about thirteen knots
The Asia had the heaviest cargo. All
The cartridges and Calling guns and
caisSons which the Russians are taking to
Europe are On board this vessel. File
Europe has large assortment Of sample
hardware Each vessel has an extra
heavy cargo Of coal.
The t0g growing heavier the vessel
came 10 anchor sooner than they intend
ed, ana passed the night inside the Capes
The question raised some time ago to the
effect that the Russian sailors brought
here were inexperienced and hardly cola
petent to take a vessel to Europe was dis
proved effectively il the trip down the
Delaware and out to sea. They showed
themselves complete seamen, as Captains
t'rippenOeTg and Ayellan proved them
selves experienced commanders. The
American captains were only figure
heads
shortly after o'clock sunday morning
the vessel weighed anchor again and pat
out for sea. The transformation Of the
HLlI9 I4tt-l -Al4lCittelII 70 Auooltli NtiO NO.
occur until the vessels had got over miles
out to sea, and 10y this time it was nearly
| o'clock. The first thing done was to
muster the sailors on the respective ships
to the regular Sunday services Hymns
were sung and prayers We're said, the eX-
crcises occupying half an hour These
services We're led on both vessels by one
sailor out OF each crew, appointed for the
purpose, as is customary in the navy.
They occupied nearly half an hour
The change Of the nationality of the
ships then took place. The sailors We're
all mustered on the deck Of the Europe
before Captain Grippenberg. Previous
to this the legal forms had been complied
with in the ships cabin as related to the
transfer OF the vessel by Wharton Barker
u the Russian Government
The hauling down OF the American flag