The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-28 00:00:00

AMERICAN LRON;f:LAD VESSELS.

The following catalogue contains the various
specifications recently submitted to the Board of
Inquiry appointed by the Federal Congress in
August last :
"We have made a synopsis of the propositions
and specifications submitted, which we annex, and
now proceed to state in brief the result of our de-
cisions upon the offers presented to us.

" J. Ericsson, New York.--This plan of a floating
battery is novel, but seems to be based on a plan
which will render the battery shot and shell proof.
We are somewhat apprehensive that her properties
for sea are not such as a sea-going vessel should
possess. But she may be moved from one place to
another on the coast, in smooth water. We
recommend that an experiment be .made with one
battery of this description, on the terms proposed,
with a guarantee and forfeiture in case of failure
in any of the properties and points of the ves-
sel, as proposed. Price, 275,000 dols ; length of
vessel, 172 ft ; breadth of beam, 41ft; depth of
hold, 11' ft. ; time, 100 days ; draught of water,
loft.; displacement, 1,255 tons ; speed per hour,
9 statute miles.

" John W. Nystrom, Philadelphia, 1,216 Chesnut-
street.—The plan of (quadruple) guns is not known,
and cannot be considered. The dimensions would
not float the vessel without the guards, which we
are not satisfied would repel shot. We do not re-
commend the plan. Price, about 175,000 dollars;
length of vessel, 175 ft ; breadth of beam, 27ft ;
depth of hold, 13ft ; time, four months; draught
of water, 10ft ; displacement, 875 tons; speed per
hour, 12 knots.
"William Perine, New York, 2,777 P. 0. Box,
presents three plans. The specifications and draw-
ings are not full. The last proposal for the heavy
plating is the only one we have considered, but there
is neither drawing nor model, and the capacity of
the vessel, we think, will not bear the armour and
armament proposed. Price, 621,000 doffs; length
of vessel, 225 ft ; breadth of beam, 451 ft ; depth of
hold, 15 1-3 ft ; time, nine months; draught of
water, 13ft ; displacement, 2,454 tons; speed per
hour, 10 knots.
" John C. Le Terre, Poston.--Description defi-
cient ; not recommended ; scat a model, but neither
price, time, nor dimensions stated.
"E. S. Renwick, 335, Broadway, New York,
presents drawings, specification, and model of an
iron-clad vessel of large capacity and powerful
engines, with great speed, capable of carrying a
heavy battery, and stated to be shotproof and a
good sea boat, The form and manner of construc-
tion and proportions of this vessel are novel, and
will attract the attention of scientific and practical
men. She is of very light draught of water, and
on the question whether she will prove to be a safe
and comfortable sea boat we do not express a de-
cided opinion. Vessels of somewhat similar form
in that part of the vessel which is immersed, of
light draught of water, on our western lakes, have,
we believe, proved entirely satisfactory in all wea-
thers. To counteract the effect of the waves when
disturbed by the wind, by producing a jerk or sud-
den rolling motion of flat shoal vessels, it is pro-
posed to carry a sufficient weight above the centre
of gravity to counterpoise the heavy weight below,
which is done in this ship by the immense iron ar-
mour. If, after a full discussion and examination
by experts ou this plan, it should be decided that
she is a safe vessel for sea service, we wouldrecom-
mend the construction upon it of one ship at one of
our dockyards. The estimated cost of this ship,
1,500,000 doll, precludes action upon the plan until
further appropriations shall be made by Congress
for such object. Time not stated. Length of vessel,
400 ft ; breadth of beam, 60ft ; depth of hold 32ft ;
draught of water, 16ft ; displacement, 6,530 tons;
speed per hour, at least 18 miles.

" Whitney and Rowland, Brooklyn, Greenpoint,
propose an iron gunboat, armour of bars of iron and
thin plate over it ; no price stated. Dimensions of
vessel, we think, will not bear the weight of and
possess stability: Time, five months. Not recom-
mended. Length of vessel, 140 ft ; breadth of beam,
28ft ; depth of hold, 139 ft ; draught of water, Bft.
" Donald M'Kay, Boston.--Vessel in
general di-
mensions and armour approved. The speed esti-
mated slow. The cost precludes the consideration
of construction by the board. Price, 1,000,000 dols ;
length of vessel, 227 ft ; breadth of beam, 50ft;
depth of hold, 26 ft ; time, 9to 10 months ; draught
of water, 14ft ; displacement, 3,100 tons; speed per
hour, 6to 7 knots. Dimensions will not float the
guns high enough ; not recommended.

" William H. Wood, Jersey City, N.J.— Price,
255,000 dole ; length of vessel, 160 ft ; breadth of
beam, 34ft ; depth of hold, 22ft ; time, 4 months ;
draught of water, 13ft ; displacement, 1,215 tons ;
speed not stated.

" Merrick and Sons,Philadelphia—Vessel of wood
and iron combined. The proposition we consider
the most practicable for heavy armour. We recom-
mend that a contract be made with that party under
a guarantee with forfeiture in case of failure to
comply with the specifications, and that the con-
tract require the plates to be 15ft long and 36in
wide, with a reservation of some modification which

may occur, as the work progresses, not to affect the
cost. Price, 780,000 dole ; length of vessel, 220 ft ;
breadth of beam, 60ft ; depth of hold, 23ft ; time,
nine months ; draught of water, 13ft ; displacement
3,296 tons; speed per hour, 91 knots.
" Benjamin Rathburn—Wo do not recommend
the plan for adoption. Price not stated ; length of
vessel not stated ; breadth of beam, 80ft ; depth of
hold, 74ft ; time not stated ; draught of water, 25ft
displacement, 15,000 tons ; speed not stated ; speci-
fication incomplete.
" Herry R, Dunham,New York—Vessel too costly

for the appropriation ; no drawings or specifications;
not recommended. Price, 1,200,000 do's; length
of vessel, 325 ft ; breadth of beam, 60ft ; depth of
hold not stated; time, 15 to 18 months; draught of
water, 16ft; displacement not stated; speed per
hour, 12 miles.
" C. S. Bushnell and Co., Newhaven, Connecticut,
propose a vessel to be iron clad on the rail and plate
principle, and to obtain high speed. The objection
to this vessel is the fear that she will not float her
armour and load sufficiently high, and have stability
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