Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-26
PRETTY EVENLY MATCHED.
VAR VESSELS At NORFOLK.

The British and Russian war ships
continue to attract great attention here,
and are visited by numerous people
during the day. The Russian vessel is
anchored just off Atlantic City and "H.
NJ. S." is some distance below, of Fort
Norfolk. To novice it would appear
that the Garnet were hedging her rival /;
but the relative positions Of the ships
hardly have any significance, as under
the national laws, even if war had been
declared, the Russian vessel, il she
should attempt to run away, would have
twenty-four hours start Of the Garnet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSELS.
The Garnet was built at Chatham in
1872, but has never been in an engage
ment. She belongs to class Of ships
named after precious stones, and she is
called the gem of the ocean. She is
go feet long, A feet breadth of beam,
and draws 10 feet of water. She is
built Of iron and wood above the
waters edge, but her hull below the
water is Of wood. She is full-rigged,
and carries on her main deck twelve
64-pounders. muzzle-loaders, five broad
side guns on each side and astern, and
bow "chance," which may also be used
as broadsides. In addition to these guns
she has four Nordenfelt guns, four barrels
each, and two Gardeners. These guns
carry rife-cartridges and are worked
with cranks something like the Calling
guns. They can make some 1000 dis
charges in five minutes, and are used
principally against torpedo-boats. The
ship is also provided with 200 breech-
loading rifles and 200 cutlasses. She
has 253 men. The vessel is built in
five water-tight compartments, with
iron doors between, and in case of ac-
cident she can be kept ahoat until all
the chambers are penetrated. All the
officers and men live below except the
captain, who has fine saloon on the
main deck. The officers apart
ments are quite comfortable, and
each has his private room, and
a large saloon for all. The "mid-
dies" come next to the Off
GERS and have chests in which to store
their effects, but they sleep in ham
mocks. Then comes a large saloon, in
which the men are packed close to-
gether, each having a small box for his
things" and a couple Of hooks on
which to swing his hammock. They
have fiddle on board, and often sing
and dance when not on duty. On Sat-
urday they wash and shave and get
ready for Sunday, and confusion reigns
equal to the poets wash-day."
The ship has a schoolmsster, a sur
geon, a chaplain, &C., and a small par
lor-organ is used to aid in worship.
Rev. X. Venables Wilson is chaplain,
and very agreeable companion he is.
He has called on the Episcopal ministers
here, but grieyes that they are all mar
ried, as he loves to sit with his fellow
parsons if they be bachelors, and put
his feet on the table and smoke and en-
Joy himself in a real comfortable
manner. He will preach in Ports
mouth tomorrow at Trinity church.
Captain Hand, commander, is about
forty-eight years of age, and has been
in the navy since he was fourteen years
old, serving in every school of the cur
riculum. One of his brothers is in the
army and another in the church. He
has a wife and several children, and it
is pleasure to hear him talk of his
family. He has photographs of his wife
all about the room, as well as Of his
little ones, and he takes particular
pride in exhibiting specimens of his
handiwork. with which his room is
adorned. The Captain has a number
of medals, among which is an old Ira
falgar medal-an heirloom in his family.
He is gentleman of elegant manners,
and altogether one of the most hospi-
table commanders ever seen in this port.
THE STRELOK.
The Russian corvette was built at
st. Petersburg in 1850. She is pa
feet long, 80 feet breadth of beam, and
l4l feet depth Of hold tonnage, 1855.
She is constructed somewhat after the
same pattern as the Garnet. She has
l60 men, and carries twelve breech-
leaders Of fine make. Her officers
apartments are quite comfortable, and
she is altogether very fine craft,
looking as neat as new pin.
Her sailors and men dress in white,
and make good appearance. They
eat beef and vegetables, and are allow
ed whiskey twice a day. The officers
have piano on board, which is heard
at all times of the day. The Strelok
had been in the Mediterranean until or
dered to Havana. She took on coal
and supplies at that port, remaining
there five days, and then set sail for
Norfolk.
The officers speak French and Ger
man in addition to their own language,
but with the exception of the captain
and one or two ofthe other officers none
of them speak English. As already
stated, Captain Skrydlof' is a gallant
commander, and distinguished himself
in the late Russo Turkish war by taking
a tOrpedo-boat in the daytime and
blowing mp two Turkish men-of-war in
the Danube.
4 Russian officer was asked yester-
day what he thought of the probability
Of war, but shrug of his shoulders
was about the only answer he vouch-
safed.
NOT TO RECEIVE COUPONS.
Mr.. S. E. Ship, deputy collector of
State taxes. has received copy of
Auditor Marye's letter instructing him
not to receive coupons in payment Of
taxes. Since the laws relating to the
receiving of coupons for taxes were
published here several days ago most
Of the taxpayers seem to think that it
is rather risky to deal in coupons, and
several Of the saloon-keepers who at
first proposed to offer coupons in pay
ment of licenses have since paid the
monpv for the same Fila