Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-07-11
From the Philadelphia True Amsrican'
STEAM FRIGATE.

STEAM FRIGATE.
It is now we'll ascertained that this
wonderful invention surpasses the most
saneuine expectations Of those most inte-
rested in it's success-the performance of
FULTON THE FIRST, at New-York, on
the 4th of July last, has dissipated all
doubt. Captain Smith made full and sa-
tisfactery experiments on that day with
this astonishing vessel, and reports, :" she
performs all we want of her" The N.
York Gazette contains the following no.
tice of this new and tremendous battery.
{. In the course of the forenoon, the
Steam Frigate Fulton THE FIRST, Cap
tain Obed Smith, appeared in the Hud-
son, opposite the battery ;-the move
ments of this tremendous Floating Bate
ry, elevated the mind and afforded to
every beholder convincing proof of her
capability of efFectua,ly annoying, unin-
jured, any probable force which an enc
my might bring against her. Having made
a display off the battery, she proceeded
to Staten Island, opposite the height on
which his excelEency the governor has
taken his summer residence. The can
non on the governors hill, loudly well
coined the approach of this new frigate,
from which vessel the salute was return
led.
The Fulton the First then proceeded
to Sandy Hook, went to sea, and with
the afternoons tide returned to the city,
having performed the two passages to sea
and back, in about seven hours! to use
captain Smiths remark, she performs
all we want of her." Thus, then, all the
|apprehensions relative to the failure of
this great experiment, are at an end, and
in case of any future war, the citizens on
our sea board may calculate on safety, ii
such vessels as the Fulton frigate, are
brought in aid of our other means of de-
fence. In addition to the unexpected
velocity of this vessel, she steers like
| pilot boat, and in one minute may be laid
in any position.
We have taken the greatest interestin
1.-THE success of the Steam Frigate the
Invention will prove of incalculable bene-
| fit to the United States. Steam frieates
| will not only secure our harbors against
the insolence of foreign armed vessels.
but they will make excellent escorts for
our armed and merchant vessels for a
|short distance out ofport. 1t is believed
THAT one ca two Steam Frigates would du-
ring the late war have effectually guarded
THE Chesapeake Bay against the intrusion
|of the British squadron. We may appear
TO some of our readers a little enthusas-
tic on this subject, but it is our 'delibe-
rate opinion that the bravest commander
in the British navy, in the most chosen
man of war, would not encounter Steam
Erigate in an harbor, or any where in
calm.
The following cruize of the frigate on
the 18th of July, has been furnished by
nautical gentleman who was on board.
From, the Mercantile .qdrertiser.
"JuIy 4th, at 10 minutes past 9, A.
vi. lCII TIC WndlI al SOlldcI liOONe
running over the tide, which is stronger
at this place than at any other in the
neighborhood of New-York, at the rate
Of one and fourth miles per hoar. seve-
raj gentlemen having arrived on board;
who did not arrive previous to leaving the
wharf, put about, run across, passing
near Brooklyn, recrossed, passing near
the battery up the Hudson as far as the
Albany Bason, where she put about at
fen minutes after ten. In proceeding for
Sandy Hook, run into the Kill tides near
the residence of governor Tomkins-ar-
lived at sea in hours and 8 minutes
sent boat and brought pilot on board
hat had piloted brig out.
+" On our arrival at sea, the machinery
vas stopped, the helm put to starboard,
he went about until her head was to-
wards New-York, when the helm was
lighted. Returned to New-York in three
ours and fifteen minutes, landed the
commissioners and other gentlemen at the
'attery. Her boat returning, she pro-
ceeded, and arrived at'her birth at Cor