Year: 1875

! THE NEW RECEIVING sHIP-woRK IN PROGRESS


PREPARATIoNs FOR INCREASED COMFORT FOR
| SAILORS AND MARINES.


few weeks since order issued from the Navy
Department directing that the lne-o battle ship YER
mont which has served for several years-snce the old
North Carolina broken up-as receiving vessel at
this port should be put out Of commission, and that
the steam fgate Colorado should take her place The
latter first class vessel and carries foryve guns
thirty nine-inch the main deck and fifteen OF the
calbre the spar deck The officers Of the Yer
mont were at the same time ordered to the Colorado;
but pending the necessary repairs, which are
lively going on actual change has yet taken place
1t seems to be the design of the department that ships
employed for recruiting purposes shall also be available
for immediate and effective purposes at any moment
when required Accordingly the Colorado will be kept
in condition to meet this requirement She will also
be employed school Of instruction The vessel is
now undergoing thorough overhauling from truck to
keeson, under the direction Of Captain Braine, com
mander Of the Vermont As is usual after a return from
a cruise in the tropics all stores have been landed
cakers have been hard work, new gaeys have been
constructed the masts yards sails and pumps subjected
to close examination, and repairs made in every di-
rection-


DISCIPLINE


According to the instructions OF Secretary Robson
the Colorado to be maintained in as high state Of
efficiency and Discipline any vessel in commission in
the navy The only drawback anticipated this excel
lent design is that sufficient never be perma-
nently relied upon. On the Vermont there may be
sometimes GOO men, and in a few days this number,
owing drafts for other vessels may dwinde down to
less than 100 1t requires time bring recruit
up the requirements Of first class duty Months pass
before be properly performs his duties and also re-
quires time for the officers find out the most suitable
positions for the 10 occupy board After this Is
accomplished perhaps the entire Of the receiving
vessel Is ordered to other ship and a
OF raw hands have 70 be taken board The Colorado
will be ready Ia few weeks, when Captain Brane with
the officers Of the Vermont will take charge Of her
The Vermont is understood, will be used hereafter
a coal barge


ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION


On the cob dock, close 70 which the Vermont Is now
moored there stood up TO week or two ago row Of
frame shantle5 occupied Tor various trading purposes
The grocer in small way the iruitcrer the barber and
the newsdealer had facilities ior traffic and the compe-


tOn being active the sailor had reason whatever 10
complain OF paying unreasonable prices for tho com
modtes OF accommodation he required. The Old
structures have been demolished and the materials ro
moved TO make room for two story building 100 feet
by 80 feet which is to be constructed according 10 plans
designed by Captain Branc The lower portion will
consist OF Avaorcs, bathrooms a chapel and vvrnna-
sum. In the upper story are TO be reading rooms and
apartments for the reception Of visitors Tie building
IS intended solely for the and benefit Of the enlisted
men Of the service, ana inc ol1ec Us TO add a. far
possible TO their comfort Hereafter, when friends
come to men on the receiving vessel they have
certain degree Of privacy in neat
apartment free from the confusion and
publicity OF gun berth deck The sailors, also,
when of duty have opportunities for reading and
mental Improvement In this connection IL may be
mentioned that Captain Brane has already 900 volumes
OF instructive and entertaining works TO place in the


library The to be afforded for physical exercise
and for bathing will be devised with a view for the
heathiul improvement Of the sailors and marines
WORK PROGREss.


/ The Swatara On commisson) is undergoing some
slight repairs It is understood that she is intended for
/ the European squadron


The Trenton one Of the sloops Of war the con
struction OF which recently authorized BY Con-
gross, is steadily progressing toward completion She
will correspond in tonnage and cabre Of guns with the
Tennessee and Brooklyn now In active service. The
frame Of the Trenton up and the inside iron strap
pings are now being placed In position.


The Intrepid torpedo boat will be ready for cruise
or for experiments in few days Is detailed 10
take her, II Is understood, 70 Newport


Large quantities Of oakum which is manufactured at
the Yard with other naval stores being shipped
10 vessels In foreign stations


There arc 100 mechanics and laborers now en-
| ploYedat the Yard