Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-05-14
7ranslaaoss from French Pste'''

REPORT
Made to the EMPEROR by the ConncH ~
Naval Construction.
PARIS, 29th Jan. 1873
Amongst the numerous institutions
which the genius of your majesty Ras
established fer the encouragement Oh
the sciences, and of every branch OF nu-
man industry, has not been omitted, that
which has for it's object the improve
ment of ship-building an art when IS
the basis OF naval power, which protects
and extends commerce, and secures inc
rights Of maritime nations. The esta'
bllshraent of council for naval con-
struc,ions, forming centre towards
which Cows every useful idea respect
ing this art from whence are d'stsi-
buted the lights it gathers; which Is e.
nabled to consider every project OF IN
provemcnt presented to it, 10 introduce
uniformity and economy in the works,
to collect and analyse tie results OF eS'
perience. to destroy abuses, and to Keep
alive the knowledge Of naval architect
ure; was reserved for the proVldcnt
conception Of your majesty.
The attention thus bestowed upon ma
val constructions has given them "a ex'
tent and activity OF witch no former
reign furnishes the example ; the fapidl-
ty with which our naval forces increase
in the dock Yards shows how formidable
they must become to the enemy OF the
repose of France, and ought to prove TO
him that the balance of power upon the
ocean must soon be restored,
In the decree Of the 29th of March,
1871, by virtue Of which this council is
organized, it is provided that reports
shall be made from time to time oI the
actual stale Of the art Of ship building
of those branches of this art that are
susceptible Of improvement the prizes
to be distributed among the officers n
maritime engineering the experiments
to be made; the new processe 10 be IN
troduced finally, those plans, spscihca-
tons of inventions, and memoirs, sdopt'
ed or examined by the council since Its
organization, and which present new
ideas, or may promote the good OF the
service.
The council, in examining the actual
state Of the art, believe ii to be exPe-
dent still TO follow the same model Ter
constructing ships of war which has
been adopted in France; and they found
this opinion upon several reasons
These reasons, are, however, much
less applicable to friga.es and vessels OF
inferior force, than to ships. Of the line,
since the former usually cruise slngly;
and uniformity Of model is essential TO
the latter, which always cruise together.
Some experiments upon the constitute
ton of the former cannotbut be useful,
TIE council therefore proposes TO your
majesty, that prize should be offered
to the officers of maritime engineering
for the construction Of brig cl war up
on the best model. In the mean time
the council will consider end report
what other experiments and offers OF
premiums il ay>be expedient to make.
TIE FIRST improvement worthy OF note
is in the process Of boiling and sp;king
Of ships, and consists in using iron ~
stead Of copper, for the spikes aud bolts
of the bottom, and In securing this me-
ia! from the destructive action CT copper
sheathipg.
Tue saving in this substitution of iron
for copper, amounts TO 10000 francs In
ship of seventy -four guns.
The second imp ovement in naval
constructions is in the art Of massing
ships.
The third relates to cerdage.-The
Dutch have the best cables; and every
thing concurs 10 induce the adoption Of
their method Of manufacturing them.
The second part Of the report gives
an analysis Of the plans, specifications
of inyca,ions, and memoirs, adopted or
examined bs the council This tart is
not published. HSnieur.
February 9.
The court Of Assises Of Paris, has
been his day occupied with the exami-
uation Of charge OF grave nature.
John Anthony Msrchand. aged 81
wears, grave digger at St. Denis, and
Pierre Dan,ir, cobler, Of the same place,
were accused Of having, in conjunction
with certain Lejeune, OH the 2Sth and
ep,b November last, broke open and rob
bed certain tombs in The burying ground
of St Denis; contrary to The S6osh aid
Ss4.h articles Of the Penal Code.
1t appears that for considerable tine
past the defendant Narchand had been
generally suspected of Violating the
tomhs al St. Denis for the urpese Of
robbihg the deud bodies.
A widow lady named Antoine, de.
ceased at ST. Denis, on the 9Th Novem-
Der, ard was buried OH the 2sth. 1t was
Lpown that In her last mOmeutS she