National Republican., 1880-10-28


sons Dictuin- competitive Examinations.
FoRT MONROE VA. Oct. 26, 1880.
The strong blow experienced here to-day
caused IN almost total suspension of tho
squadron routine of exercise and drill. The
sea was quite heavy in the roadstead and COM
munioation between the feet aud shore was
difficult. All tho ships had royal and top.
gallant yards aud masts sent down and housed.
The ordinary ships routine was followed by
all the vessels except the Minnesota, which
continued from yesterday competition target.
practice with nino.nch shell guns at 1000
yards
THE DAnLoREN PRIZE.
The prize TO be awarded the most proficient
and successful gun crew composed OF appren.
ticcs is beautiful and valuable silver medal,
presented by Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren, aud
known us the Dahlgron prize. Seventy shots
were fired, and board Of officers will TO.
morrow award the honor. Great interest is
felt among tho apprentices. who have dis
played most commendable zeal and energy in
working the heavy guns, IN tho result of the
contest The successful captain of the gun
crew becomes n hero at once, aud no exertion
ssparcd by the sturdy young sailors TO carry
of the honorable prize.
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
A board Of officers consisting Of Com.
mandcr Arthur Yates and Lieutonants Lyons
and Wilson are now in session Oh the old frig.
ate Constitution, Captain Oscar i. Stanton,
conducting competitive examination of APP
prcnilces from the training squadron In sea-.
marship, gunucry and broadswOrd exercise.
Two apprentices in each department are
allowed TO be sent from each of tho trimming
! vessels, and the rewards silver mcdals) are
given by the bureau Of equipment and ro.
crnitiug, and are very highly valued bv tho
competitors, who have displayed an emulation
highly gratifying TO the friends of the sys.
tenn.
REVIEW OF THE NAVAL BRIGADE.
If tho weather is favorable Admiral Wyman
| will order tho naval brigade ashore on Thurs.
day. About 1,s00 men will he landed. and an
imposing review will take place in the parade
grounds OF the fortress in the presence OF the
commander.in-chiof and large number of
army officers.
Tho Yantic joined the squadron to-day from
Norfolk, and Commander Merrill is shaping
| his crew so that they may take Il creditablc
| part in the grand review, task of consider
able difficulty considering tho brief time the
| ship has been in commission.
OFFICERS DISSATISFIED.
Tho delightful glamour which surrounded
| the proposed naval review some time since
has gradually faded away, and feeling of
disappointment and indifference has taken
hold OF tho minds oil tho officers There
| have been too many postponements, IL is
| generally felt, and tho good weather has
been allowed TO slip away without results.
Whether the delays are duo to politics or
weddings no one seems to know, but il is uni
| vcrsaly felt that valuable time has been lost
| ifit has been the intention of the secretary of
| the navy to hold tho review, and that when
the president, cabinent and guests finally
| look on the formidable array of obsolete types
| of ships congrcgatcd in this breezy quarter of
| tho country the bad weather will possibly
prevent the display.
TIME SET FOR THE REVIEW.
1t is now reported that the president sec.
| retary of the navy and Invited guests will be
| here on the 10th of November, and that the
| squadron will be dispersed two days after.
| The Tallapoosa and Dispatch, the latter bear
| ing the presidenrs flag, will bring the re.
viewing party from Washington.
THE SQUADRON.
The squadron will consist of the flagship
| Tennessee; corvettes Alliance, Kearsarge
| Vandala, Yantic and Galcna of the North
| Atlantic station, and the frigates Minnesota
| and Constitution and sloops-of.war Portsmouth
| and Saratoga of the training squadrou--ten
| in all. The Powhaian repairing at Norfolk,
| will send down n battalion of sailors aud ma.
| rnes to join the naval brigade. The routine
| for tho time intervening between this and
the event will be promulgated tomorrow.
and the officers and men are likely to have
plenty Of work on hand.