The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-24

2O.42s cubic feet at Norfolk 8,542 feet
making a total OF 116. $50 cubic feet. 1t is
admitted, that of the timber
procured, as muCl; as is required
Tor two OF tho ships has been necessarily APP
pied to other purposes /; So that we n -,
decuct 10000 cubic feet from the quantity
delivered-thia leaves balance OF So, $50
cubic feet. quantity scarcely sufficient fer
the frames ut two such vessels He could
not satisfy himself how the timber fo, the
other two frames was to he procured in
ume--it will require months for its selec-l
uon, cutting. ard seasoning--if you fail to
!cll 1t before the end OF February, YOU haZ
ard much as to its durabilty-tweivcl
months arc required to build a "a after all
the materials shall be ready in the yard.
he timber for the larger ships can only be
proe-red from the south, say Georgia, Lou
isiana, and Florida ; consider the risks at
tending its transportation by sea; will you
pretend to insure its arrival? These are all
important considerations ut this time.
lie further objected Tn the tonnage allow
ed by the committee for the 74s. They
were rated at 1920 tons. Experienced and
intelligent naval architects, pronounce this
much too little. Mr.. Humphries of Phila-
phia. well known for his knowledge and
skill in ship buildings, says, double decked
ships should not be less than 1000 tons--the
statements of your committee, as coming
from this gentleman, were drafted when he
was not allowed TO give scope to his views.
Your larger class of frigates, which have
proved SO serviceable, measure 1444 tons,
ard rate rs AS. Is it probable, that the ad.
dition g b6 tons to their dimensions viii en-
asie vessel to carry so additional pieces
OF ordnance, much more weighty than those
already in use {? This to him appeared to
be impossible. If it be intended to have
ships OF the higher rates, he hoped they
would notbe Cramped in their dimensions
that to him was false economy. Give to
them, said he, their full tonnage-and
YOU will find your account in so doing. For
merly, the British ships were limited in
their tonnage-the French, by extending
the dimensions of their line of battle ships,
have carried the British from their ancient
usage-shall we remain stationary and con-
tinue the exploded errors of other naval
powers Certainly not adopt the advice
of HUMPHREYS do MT remain behind take
bold lead; give vent to the genius of your
naval constructors; & force the people of Eu-
rope to initiate you i'll the dimensions, as
they have already done in. regard to the
beautiful forms of your ships. -
Suppose then, that the timber originally
procured for the 74's shall only be adapted
tor those of go tons, it will be advantage
Gus to reduce it to dimensions proper for
A. gun ships-by this reduction you will
suffer a loss of is, say for the two frames
10 thousand dollars; this he considered as
trifing compared with the consequences
which must follow an ill-founded precedent.
Last year it will be recollected, it was adj
mitted this timber might be used for FIJI
gates
i do not doubt, Mr.. Chairman, continued
Mr.. S. but that have already fatigued the
committee with my dry calculations-it is
hoped they will indulge me with their at
tention to a few remarks concerning frigates
am DESTROYS TO add respectable number
to those already authorised, say from IL to
Is of the first class this will give you
more additional guns than the bill contem-
plates. Your forty tours are superior to
any of the British frigates it you doubt this,
ask captains Dacres and Garden, they will
not deny it. When the enemy is in search
OF your AS, it he acts with his frgates,
you may be sure of being victorious-if for
this purpose he selects higher rate of We s.
sells, he will incur great additional ex-
pense and give you the chance of out-sail.
ing him-or you will force him to change
his present system and add a new class of
vessels to those which he has already adopt
ed under stiff breeze, your frigates will
run from ships of the line in boisterous
times, seventy four may be forced to
Close her lower ports, then with your hea-
Wy frigates you might hazard combat-the
divided form in which this force will appe ar
on the ocean, will enable you to annoy the
commerce OF the enemy to capture his
irigates and carry his squadrons from your
coast and harbors. If our ships are CON
centrated in squadrons, the enemy will seek
you with force far superior you mast
then combat under disadvantages or endea-
vor to make your ports for safety, G there
you will be blockaded. By adding to the
present number of AIS, you give nniformi
~ to your system, which in the end will
prove very eCsnomical-the work Will be
sooner and much better eXecuted-every
surplus of materials will answer equally
we'll for any one of the ships-in case a YES.
sci shall be injured by the tempest or be
disabledin action, she will be much sooner
fitted for service, as you will be prepared
with surplus of masts, Spars and OTHER
equipments-under such regulations you
need not multiply expense by keeping
numerous crew in port, idle for weeks un-
I'll mast can be procured by adding tn a
number proposed, you will. have a respec-
table class of efficient ships.
Such ships, sir, will enable you to con
FIRM and perpetuate the splendid victories
OF Hull, Jones and Hccatur--shcsc heroes
have already, in five months after the de
caraliOn of war, destroyed the charm Of
British invlncbility ON the ocean-tbeir
deeds surpass any which the British naval
annals can boast they have htlmbled Bri-
tish pride. These actions vii have great