The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-25
THE TORTOISE.
Defence Of cur Harbour and City.

Of all the plans suggested for this great end,
one which has not yet been published seems de
serving OF particular attention It's the inven-
ton OF Councillor SAMPsoN, and is a fresh proof
OF the extent and versatility or his inventive pow
ers. Its simplicity, which by some would be a
reason for undertaking. 1t, IS TO men of solid
Judgment its greatest Recommendation
1t is nothing more than large scow, which
may be made OF the commonest materials, and
is to carry battery of 30 or 80 cannon OF 42,bs.
caibre.
1t is so flat that the troops who embark in it
| can march on board, and proceed with 4 rising
| tide In the course Of two hours towards its des-
| tination.
| 1t is so low that the ehot from ship CT war
can seldom, & but by the greatest chance, strike
| it.
1t may occasionally use sails, but at all times
be put in motion by paddles Or wheels inserted in
groove in central line from stem to stern,
| which can be worked by the hands employed to
| fight the enemy.
1t is in form ofa tortoise she'll as 10 its edge &
circumference so that if any ball should strike
ut, 1t must either glance under it is there
fore shot proof
| Every shot from it will, if tolerabIy directed,
take efectu upon ship, owing to the height of her
sides, while it presents scarcely any surface yul.
nerable To her FIRE.
| 1t can move in silence and unperceiyed in the
night; and being too low upon the water to be
perceived at any distance, may give the first
| notice of its approach by terrible broadside
Ii is SO constructed that either end may go
foremost; and 80 direction be changed without
delay
1t may be made to hold as good wind as
frigate, BY mears Of occasional lee. boards, and
be made TO turn with the greatest dispatch by
two Chinese-rudders, one in each end, which
when put in contrary directions will work to the
| same end.
1t may be provided if necessary with furna.
ces fer heating shot, and with otaer means of
| assaing
1t will not require The skill Of many educated
seamen. A few of the officers, known by their
brave deeds the Barbary coast, will be able
! TO do their country still more noble service, by
| this new-inVented mode of humbling the pride of
! the invaders of our sea shores
fhe same hard hands who to-day hold the
| slough, may to morrow cover their brows with
| glorious laurels.
| This unartiGcal mode Of defence against those
terrible ministers of wrath, (ship5 of war; will
appear more consistent with its design, ii it &c
considered tina. this battery has but one single
| purpose, the ships Of war having many.
The man of war must be built TO sail fast, to
endure long, to contain much provisions, ammu.
milton and stores, to the and resist the
tempests and with all the completely Of me-
chanism necessary TO attain such various ends,
IS not Tor the purpose of All actioDin smooth wa
Ter hAIi SO eincIeht battery as TINS PLAN cOntT
yaDee, which Ifit answers one single purpose is
as good as if it possessed all the other qualities,
which in the only needful case render 1t by SO
much the more inconvenient, vulnerable and in.
| efficient.
F, When we know that gun is equal to gun of
equal metal from whatever Scatioiding it may
fire, such project tins is surely preferable to
that OF sinking islands in the tor the purpose
! OF mounting few cannon, to remain there till
w. Iatp
reach whereas this &c .,ing machine can either
! remain at station, or pursue its enemy wherever
lie may take his position.
II this tortoise c'n be made TO go one.diird or
one-fourt as fast ship sails, il will be Always
enabled to quit her when necessary for any puP-
pose, " gong right 10 windwsrd and leaving
her 90 beat after il IN vain.
| Tue comparative expense will be much as
single button 10 10 a sui Of clothes.
The expedition with which such machines
could he constructed Is another reason for their
J adoption IN the present cgIsfs