The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-31 00:00:00

VESSELS AT NORFOLK.

The United States.—The conversion to a steamer
of this vessel, known in the navy as the " Old
Wigwam," will perpetuate the existence of the
first-born of the American navy. The United States
was built at Philadelphia in 1797, and was con-
sidered at the time she was launched as rivalling
in elegance and perfection of naval architecture any
ship of her size that had ever been built. She was
launched amid the greatest rejoicings-40,000 spec-
tators having been attracted to the scene. One hun-
dred vessels were drawn out and anchored in the
Delaware, the docks being covered with companies
invited by their owners, and 500 boats and barges
were filled with men, women, and chi!dren, to wit-
ness the event. She is described as being partially
rotten, but no thorough investigation having been
made in regard to her it is possible that a sufficient
portion of her hull may be sound to justify the ex-
pense incident to the proposed alteration.
Old Ironsides —lt is to be hoped that this splen-
did old ship will pass inspection. She was recently
ordered from Portsmouth to Annapolis, to act as
schoolship. She is now in the roads of tl e latter
harbour. The Constitution, built at Boston in 1797,
was also launched amid similar demonstrations of
joy and in the presence of thousands of spectators.
She was pronounced a superb specimen of naval ar-
chitecture, combining the unity of wisdom, strength,
and beauty. The useful service and brilliant career
of this noble ship have verified the good opinion and
confident predictions pronounced at her birth. It
is a remarkable and interesting fact that these two
ships—the United States and the Constitution,
the first two built for our navy—after 62 years of
unremitted, faithful, exposed, and successful ser-
vice, are still existing, and in active and efficient
employment. The first days of the Constitution
were not her best days. Her glory was acquired,
as all true glory is, by gradual and solid steps. She
was at first, with the opponents of the navy, a sub-
ject of reproach and slander, because she returned
from a long cruise without having made any captures.
The French ships of war were at this time depredat-
ing on American commerce, and the decree of the
French Directory subjected all American vessels to
seizure which had on board British goods or pro-
ducts, or which had sailed from British ports. The
good ship was judged unfairly, however, and her
gallant commander (Nicholson) unduly reproached.
She has been compelled to operate within prescribed
limits, and really had no opportunity to distinguish
herself.

The Pennsylvania—At the time the Pennsylvania
was launched she was the largest naval vessel in
the world. Being over 3,240 tons burden, and
destined to carry' 120 guns, it is little wonder that
the advent of her huge hull into the watery ele-
ment, which took place at Philadelphia in 1837,
drew thousands of spectators from all sections of
the Union to the Quaker city. A brilliant future
was anticipated for her, but was not realised. She
never passed a harbour light but once, and never
was out of sight of land at all. Her total service
consists in having sailed from Philadelphia for
Norfolk, where she has been anchored as a receiving-
ship since her arrival. She came near being lost
on her short voyage, a fact that probably made the
authorities nervous about sending her to sea again.
She is said to be almost rotten, but a proper survey
alone can determine whether she is really so or not.
The Columbus (Liner)—The Columbus is a 2,40 0
ton line-of-battle ship, and has done some squadron
duty in her day. She was the first large man-of-
war ever constructed at Washington, and the last.
Her launch took place over 40 years ago; yet it is
supposed that the materials for a good steamer may
be got out of her.
The Delaware—Like the Columbus, this is a ship
of the line, 2,633 tons burden, and was originally
intended to carry 80 guns. We have not been able
to learn the accurate condition of her hull, but fear
that she will be condemned and broken up.
The New York—The New York is another of the
unfinished liners. For nearly half a century
she has occupied a huge ship-house in the
Gosport Navy-yard, no Administration ever
deeming it advisable either to complete or break
her up. She was to carry 80 ' guns, having been
ordered at a time when there was a mania for 74's,
as all big war ships were called ; but the enthu-
siasm of Congress cooled down before her work had
been three months going on, and no appropriations
to finish her have since been made. A steamer can
probably be constructed from the materials of her
hull.

The Frigate Columbia.—The frigate Columbia is
1,726 tons burden, was built at Norfolk in 1836,
and carries 50 gins. She has been a most useful
vessel, having cruised in every squadron. She was
attached to the home station during her last ser-
vice. It is thought that the Columbia is in good
order, but the practicability of making a steamer of
her is questioned by constructors.
The Raritan.—This is another serviceable ship,
and has done a great deal of active duty in the
Pacific, Mediterranean, and Gulf Squadrons. She
is 1,726 tons burden, carries 50 guns, and is said to
be sound. The Raritan was built at Norfolk in
11843.

The Corvette Germantown.—The sloop of war
Germantown was built at Philadelphia 14 years
ago, is 932 tons burden, and has an armament of 22
guns. She was recently ordered to be prepared for
active service, but whether the new edict will cause
operations to be suspended has not transpired. The
Germantown is in fair condition. She made a
useful cruise on the Brazil station, in command of
Capt. Lynch, of exploration notoriety, and subse-
quently cruised in the Chinese Seas.
NEW YORK YARD.

The North Carolina.—This line-of-battle ship is