The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-05-25
NHSceNaneo1s.
MORE GROANS!
LIvERPoOL, March I'd

LIVERPOOL. March %.
Recent Occurrences. Our preceding CO.
lumns contain account OF the capture *
destruction OF British vessel, by an Amc-
rican frigate of far superior force; this
disaster, pailiatsd, as IL may be, by tie
consideration of the va!or with which the
British vessel contended, under her brave,
but unfortunate commander, we consider
as another oe those sta,us which our navy
has received from the unexpected success
of the few vessels OF war belonging 70 the
United Sta,es. 1t is aiiedged that the A.
mericans eve their temporary advantages
to the peculiar construction oE their tri-
gates. 1t may be- 80. but this does rot free
our Admiralty from blame. WHY has the
British navy been so many years without
vessels of SO excellent make, CONFUSING
swiftness with power With that practi-
cal skill and theoretical knowledge which
might certainly be found in Britain as III
America; are we to he taught only by dear
ind dreadful experience, that there is a
peculiar construction of ships unknown to
our naval architects and engineers able To
circrmvent Sil their most studied designs
Something is manifestly wron.s in orr naval
department. and we agree with lord Darn
ieyin his observation. that All inquiry into
the causes Of these calamities ought imme-
diateiy to be the business OF pariiansnt.-
United in consideration with this occur
renee. is another naval engagement; that
OF the Amelia with French irigate, in
which, after long and severe conflict, the
enemy escaped from her antagonist, and
Joined another French vessel, which had
not been able to advance during the action.
This affair happened on the African coast,
where, from other recent accounts, it APP
pears the French have been for some time
,neditating an attack upon Aour settlements.
Conhdent as we have been. with good rea-
son. in our naval superiority, We must not
suffer those who conduct our admiralty to
be negligent the late occurrences ought
TO rouse the vigilance of the whole nation.
We have lsughed st the strange stupidity of the
London editors Cor their government for stating
number of ggh briggs to be seht from England
co cruise on the takes OF Upper Canada into which
they were TO he 1oated by a newly Invented ma.
chime" The falls of niagara, nearly 900 feet
high, are between the two lakes, Erie and Ontario,
and suppose even " British sesnsanship' cannot
work vessel up that torrent Nor 10 the entry Of
Ontario by the st. Lourence, easy matter for
RnH 6,igs The transport of merchandise from
Montreal to Ringston Is carried on in batfcavs
and the distance is 200 miles. For the passage of
IN boats several locks necessary TO pass the
CO cascades" which are two miles long, in which
space the water descends with great rapidly as to
beat itself into continual foam. Again, there is the
rapids at the Cedays, 4" wieresthe river assumes a
sudden dselisty with winding course An awful
and solemn efect is here produced saws Heriot) by
che incessant sound and rapid motion of the eve
swelling waves, wb,ch covered with eHulgept
ness, drive along with irresistible fury" To pass
these rapids tho batteaua: must be Hnilded and the
labors OF eight or ten are drag along
empty boat. We Judge the general dsDth
of the water of the ST. Lawrence by being nforne
that the T" setting poles" of the boatmen are only
seven feet long Besides these distractions, there
are several other very pi currents rough and
shallow bottoms, miles in length, where the batteaux
must be dragged by a long rope the boatnen walk
Jog on the shore. The newly invented machine"
that is to aost g gun briggs" from .NontreaL to
Gingston distance OF 200 miles where fat bottom.
ed boats, forty feet long and six we carry only
5000 lbs. must indeed be something more than GU.
rious Larger vessels may go down from RTnrs.
son to os'9ssasfdie, 70 miles, but they seldom at.
tempt it. Weetly REGISTER.
-.Sn,eyica, and British Nasal SliH Coatrastea
Besides the three British figates and three sloops
Of war captured By gallant little navy within the
lsstten mouths the enemy has lost by shpwreck on
the American and WestIndia stations, the following
vessels:
Emulons sloop of war, lost on the American coast.
Ayanger do do.
Barbados frigae do w Indies
Thistle fnhooner do An coast.
sloop Of war (name foreotten) ost on ,le coast
of So Domingo.
Club sehr. lost in chase Of an American
Southampton frigate, lost the tahamies
Vixen brig, (her a tnerican prize on do
Pumper brig, lost in the Bay of Fumdy.
sloop oil war, lately lost, with spece, near King
ston, Jamaica.
Thus it appears, that since the commence lent
OF the in June last, the British hive lost by cap.
ture and want ofnautcal skill, .ixfeen vessels of
war IN the 9'neyicaH seas, being double the nuIaber
of the navy Of the United States in actual service
who within the same period have not lost single
vessel by sipwreck and only ss.o briggs by capture
Phil Gag.