The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-13 00:00:00

STEAM GUN-BOATS IN TILE BALTIC.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—Having noticed my name in the course of the
e liscussion on this important question, I hasten to cor-
e oborate all that Mr. Scott Russell has said as far as I
r an con2erned.
It is perfectly true that I did feel it my duty to try
`Nhat little influence circumstances justified me in think-
-14 I possessed, more, however, privately than officially,
with certain of the authorities, and anticipating a re-
quest for further information, I called upon Mr. Scott
Russell to let me know whether, if invited thereto, he
could take in hand any number of vessels either similar
to the Pruth (now a Russian steam gun-vessel in the
Danube), or to the Nix and Salamander, built by him-
self, which came under my observation, and which were
still more heavily armed. Hearing that contracts had
been taken by several eminent builders for a class of
gun-vessel admirably designed, I have no kind of doubt,
if approved by the Surveyor of the Navy for heavy
guns, but wanting in what I conceive to be the point of
the greatest, of first-rate importance, extremely ligh,
draught of water, I lost no time in sending his reply to
.4 Proper quarter.
With respect to the class of vessel, I have thought it
rnY elotY, as a naval officer of some experience in steam
l'avigation, to advocate, I can only say that I think one
such vessel, unless, or until disabled, would, where she
had room for action, in all senses be more than a match
for all the armed launches of all the fleet England has
at sea, or is able to send there. Anything like a boat
of wood she ran at or that came in her way she would
cut in two. If they were daring enough to hook on,
and she at full speed, she would tow them under or
Brna,sh them with her wheels.) She could follow them into
the
in that
water, as there would be little or no difference
'flat respect between her and heavily armed gun
row-boats ; and, as to firing broadsides from her eight
guns (68's and 32'8), it would be heavier than the one
gun from either end (and they can only fire one with-
out winding) of the launches of a 20-sail of-the-line,
unless they are more heavily armed than they
Were in the last war. On this point I speak from
!xperience, having had the honour to command
the crack launch of a fleet, I think of 12 sail-of-the-
line, on the Tagus, under the present gallant Admiral
'Jerk
y when a Lieutenant only. We drew when light
over four feet of water. Our best speed was not much over
rotir miles an hour, except Gn spirts, when, if the nerves
of the men were not shaken by the whizzing and splash-
'ogof shot, and consequent crab-catching, the speed
might
fen have reached five miles, but that depending on
wild and muscle never lasted long, and it is my firm
belief now that one such vessel as the Pruth in the hands
°of the enemy on the Tagus would have entirely prevented
_l,!/' acting, as we did under the admirable management
?.! our commanding officer, for so many months as spies
1" advance, and almost in the face of the lines of our
enemy—it would, in fact, have been impossible.
" e may be precisely in this position in the Danube,
where the enemy has hosts of gun boats of heavy arma-
:l4,ent, and certainly one at least with all the appliances
t humbly venture to advocate, and would, if I were suf-
liciently backed, send out with all despatch.
I have the honour to remain your obedient servant,
Dattersea, May 11. C. CLAXTON.