The New York herald., 1879-01-02
GENERAL GRANTS SHIP.

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITED STATES STEAMER
RIcHMoND--LIsr OF OFFICERS.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Times.]
BOSTON. Dec 80, 1878.
As description Of the ship which has been desig-
mated to do honor to General Grant by conveying him
and his suite to the Of his anticipated Oriental
riumphs may prove interesting to the readers of the
Times, paid visit to the United States steamer
Richmond, while lying at the Charlestown Navy
Yard just before her departure for New York her
trial trip last Saturday.
The Richmond Is ono Of the "crack" ships of our
rather feeble navy and she is considered of the
few really presentabe ships in the service. She is
sister ship to the Brooklyn and Hartford built at
Norfolk, Va. during Buchanans administration.
rates second class, has displacement Of 1000 tons.
mounts IA guns and has a crew Of 800 men. The Rich
mond has had set Of engines put in her since
she built and has recently had boilers
put in. She has been thoroughly overhauled at this
station and much elaborate ornainentation has been
nduged in, probably account OF the distinguished
passengers she Is destined to convey. New and
costly carpets furniture and fittings have been added
to her cabins and wardroom. The after admras
cabin has been fitted up in an elegant If not sump-
tuous, manner for the express accommodation Of
General Grant and suite, and it is thought that addi
tional establishment and appointments will be
made to the cabin and staterooms set apart for His
Excelency and friends when the ship arrives at the
port in Europe where Grant may elect to embark for
his Oriental tour. 1t is the opinion among the OFF,
either at Marselles Spczzia. The ship will then
proceed by the way of the Suez Canal direct to Cal
cutta.
HOW THE VESSEL IS oFFrcEREp
General Grant will certainly have cause to COM
plain either of the ship its officers for gen.
tlemanly efficient and elegant set OF officers than
those appointed to command the Richmond cannot
be found in any naval service of the world The fol-
lowing is list of the officers in command of the
Richmond Captain A. E. X. Benham. commanding.
Lieutenant Commander Lewis Clarke, executive
officer. Observation-Disclosures s. Sperry, George c.
Clay, Thomas II. Storms and n. j. X. Fitch. Chief En-
gineer-CharesH II. Baker. Past Assistant Engineers
Nathan p. Town and John l.. Harman Assistant Engi.
neers-Willam L. Cathcart and T.. l.. Warburton. Past
Assistant Surgeon. s. Bransford. Assistant Sur
geolls-Cement Biddle. Assistant Paymastcr-O. G.
Tiffany. Master-Sidney H.. May. Ensigns-Mli-
gan, Laird, Beatty and Worcester. Cadet Midshipmen-
Quinby, Sprague, Atwater, Ryan, Garfield. Rogers.
Todd, Mmy and Hetherington. Cadet Engineers
Shell, 5pangler and Cow Boatswain-Josiah Aiken
Gunner-T. Ii. Watkins. Samaker-J. y. Carter.
Captain of Marine Guard--J. II. Hgbee. Lieutenant
of Marines-R. Dckins. Pay Cerks-Roach and
Pearson.
General Grants political stock is assuming some
proportions here in New England. recently had
cal and commercial gentlemen here and in other por
tions of the New England States and they express
preference for Grant any other republican
didate whose name has thus far been mentioned in
connection with the Presidency. Some private specu
lative schemers from New York were industriously
working up proposed grand ovation to be rendered
the General upon his return to America, and, al
covered that the General would not return home
anticipated the idea of onizing the hero OF
Appomattox upon the occasion of his return met
with considerable favor.