New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-14
An OLD WAR-SHIP'S STORY.
WHAT THE VERMONT HAS CoMnTo AT LAST.
A BOARDING. HOUSE FOR MARINEs-HEE LONG
VOYAGE WITHOUT RUDDER

A BOARDING. HOUSE FOR MARINES-HER LONG
VOYAGE WITHOUT A RUDDEA
1t is evident that the old llne-ofbattle-shp Yer
mont, At the Brooklyn Navy Yard, has not passed
beyond tbs ago Of naval usefulness. After On inter
val Of year one Of those receptions that Brooklyn
military and naval society and those allied to IL have
enjoyed in times pas, was given on her week ago
In pretty contrast 10 the gold and blue OF the oncers
in full uniform were the handsome costumes Of tho
many ladies' and forming sort Of background were tho
white full shrtfronts and the black costumes Of the
men IN civIl life There were the usual How dye
dos" the promensdes, interesting chats where three
might bs a crowd, and the dancing on the gun-deck
with refreshments afterward
But the Vermont Is not used as ballroom alto
rcthor. The Oldest jack-tar can recall many inter-
ssne experiences upon her long before ard since she
began her career as receivingshp at the Navy Yard
twentr-aye wears ago. where she now lies al the Cob
Dock srded with great spsrs 10 keep ice and othcr
floating obstructicns from her sides Bereft OF spars
and rooted over like house, she looks anything but
gate OF the Lord Nelson class like the famous Vctoy
aud the TemeIar. She IS the last OF the OLD SHIPS OF
rho line and her triple tier Of ports can be seen IN no
modern built ship. Some People have supposed that
she served 10 the War Of 1912, and there are many
moro who look upon her as one Of the defenders IN
iAe Mexican War Hut she really service until
the moro recent ClVH WAT
INTENDED FOR FLAGSHIP.
Che was built at the Charleston Navy Yard, ana
was intended 10 be tho flagship Of Commodore Pet1ys
memorable expedition 10 japan In 1889. But some
thing happened and Perry took the Mississippi. The
Government thon lost interest in the Vermont and for
nearly ten years she remained the stocks unfinished
When tho Civil War broke out and everything that
could float sought after the Vermont was pushed
forward and put into commission January 20. 1862
Her first service TO carry stores and supples to
the sdHXdron OF Port Royal. and ID was the longest
vsyaR sever made by any ship from Boston to Port
PdyaL The Vermont smiled from Boston on February
o. and when of Cape Cod was caught in q tempest
which lasted three days. Her sails were carried
awsy one after another until not much as ribbon
was left On the second day her ruddcr w1enched
OF by tho seas and along With 1t wont seven Of the
boats and anchors. WIN sails and no rudder
the Vermont went along seward. roiing and pitching
like great tub, until a drag could be got out astcrn
and canvas DO put on the vessel
That vas before the efficiency Of oil 10 calm
troubled waters had received much thought and so
badly did she throw herself in the that tho chaplain
had to be lashed 10 q gun while reading the brief
burial service over the bodies Of three mon who had
been killed by tho plunging and urching Of the vessel
NEARLY OVER TO THE AZORES.
The old vessel drted In Gains and vas swept
along by gales until she pretty noaIly over 10
the Azores, when the steamer Saxon, ono OF the Two
steam vessels sent by tho Government to search
for her. picked her up oil these Islands and furnished
her with q new ridder aud suit Of sails. She soon
lost her new ruddcr and April was picked up
by the frlga,H Sabine when Jury rudder was neged
for her and she reached Port Royal on April H. having
been forty-nlne days at sea, thirtyeight OF which
she was without rudder or sails and twenty-thrco
days without sunshine.
After that she served flagship, stoeship, hospital
ship and prtson-saip in the North Atlantic Squadron.
pll. Perry, the king OF the blockaderunners, hav-
ing even ,beon prisoner on her. She began her
present career of Inactivity in 1864, and she now lies
In a mud tbed. receiving ship Is not tho compre
hensiVo word that might BIO used but IL Is tho naval
fern FOR such servicc II II sort Of nautical board
ne. house Dor newly enlisted men while waiting 10 be
detailed for sea going vessels and for those who have
returned home al the expiration Of their enlistment and
arc waiting 10 be paid OF. visit 10 tho vessel
win convince ono that the county has not an absolute
American navy, ut least far as the men are oons
cerned for on her decks VIII be found men Of various
natlonallties many who hardly interpret an order
given TO them IN English or who hardly understand
each other when attempting to speak English, ana
certainly not when speaking In their own tongue,
But when the Training school syetem mas been piiy
drvelonrd decided change viii be brought about In
this respect