The Sun

PORTSMOUTH NAVY YARD.
Launching of the New Frigate Resaca—The Condition of the Navy Yard, Etc.
(Our Naval Correspondence.)
PORTSMOUTH, NOV. 19, 1865.
Yesterday we were invited to witness the launch of one of our Government vessels.
The day was beautiful and springlike, and a large company were collected to see the launch. Everything being ready, at half-past eleven o'clock the order was given to wedge up; at 11:40 the blocks were split out, and at 11:50 she glided gracefully into her proper element, adding another splendid vessel to our glorious navy.
The two Misses Collins, the beautiful and accomplished nieces of Rear Admiral Bailey, assisted at the launch. Miss Mary breaking the bottle of wine, christened her the Resaca, while Miss Kate raised the first American flag on her beautiful craft, amid the cheers of the assembled multitude. The Resaca is to proceed immediately to Washington, where her machinery is ready to be put on board. When completed, she will return to the Yard to receive her stores and armament, and to be fitted for sea. She will be commanded we understand, by Lieut. Commander Jos. M. Bradford, late Fleet Captain of Admiral Dahlgren's squadron. Her dimensions are as follows: Length over all, 230 feet. Extreme breadth, 31 feet. Depth of hold, 13 feet 9 inches.
She has a poop deck and a long topgallant forecastle.
She will be armed with one 60 pounder rifle pivot gun, six 32 pounder broadside, and two 20 pounder bronze rifles on the poop and one on the forecastle. After the launch, a large number of invited guests proceeded to Admiral Bailey's quarters with this generous host, and his accomplished lady. At a late hour, the guests of the Admiral took their leave and the festive occasion incidental thereto. Numerous other guests were very hospitably entertained by Captain Pickering, Executive Officer of the Yard, also by Paymaster Emery, Commander Harrison, and other officers. After the launch, all were invited to inspect the objects of interest about the yard, and saw the following vessels now building, viz: three spar deck steamers of the first class and of the largest size: The Piscataqua, Illinois and Minnetonka, and the iron-clad Passaconaway, all of which could be put afloat in a very short time, and the fine new steam sloop Contocook, which has at the wharf ready for her machinery.
repaired, etc: Minnesota, Pawnee, Galena, and Mackinaw.
Also the following vessels being The Vandalia (Receiving Ship) is moored in close proximity to the yard, and the tugboats Partridge and Speedwell are ready for any emergency.
The last named vessel is one of the six new iron tugs built under contract James Tetlow, Esq., of Chelsea. She has been recently completed and delivered at the yard, and is one specimen of Yankee ingenuity and skill, of about 350 tons measurement, and of that class of vessels much needed for towing, dispatch, etc. In our party visit we were unable to notice all the improvements now going forward at this thrifty and growing Naval Station, which in the event of foreign war, would inevitably event be the great Naval depot of the Atlantic coast.
The abundant and cheap adjacent lands and extensive water privileges will enable the limits of the yard to expand to any desirable dimensions. The yard is situated on the bank of the Piscataqua river, opposite the city of Portsmouth, N. H., and within the limits of the town of Kittery, Maine. It is now considered a first class yard. The workmen are from the vicinity, and from various parts of Maine and New Hampshire, and many of them are of a superior class, as is shown by their workmanship. In contrasting this Naval Station, with its enlarged and capacious ship houses, its dry dock, machine shops, foundries and other workshops, and its extensive ordnance establishment, with what it was only a few years since, we were forcibly reminded of the mighty agencies and skill which are fast bearing the United States onward in path of destiny to a position among nations which will, if wielded by wise and unselfish men, render them the dread of oppressors in all countries and the hope and refuge of the oppressed of all nations, and the admiration of the world. The yard is at present under the command of Commodore T. Bailey, who was Acting Rear Admiral and senior officer with Vice Admiral Farragut in those unparalleled naval feats which culminated in the capture of New Orleans, and which will render his name illustrious in Naval history, for all time. He is still hale and hearty, and has evidently vitality and energy enough for many years of active service, should his country again assign him to the post of honor in battling with her foes.