Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-08
AN AMERICAN FRJGATE.

AN AMEfISAN httrA1 IL.
\ writer in late English paper gives the follow
ing description of an American frigatc, represented
rs equippng at Boston. The description will
cite the visible faculties of the mosplcnctc in
the community.
There is nothing remarkable in her size, cx-
cepting in the prodigous and unwicdy strength of
her sides and masts and she ranks among the first
class of American frigates, which equal TO
British 81 gun ships. The mainmast, which is
strongly hoped and clasped with iron, is of remark
able strength, and has attached TO 1t the principal
weight of the defensive machinery which renders
her formidable She has three steam engines on
board, two employed for propeling her in light
winds and calms and the third of sixty horse power
is exclusively used for welding the batering appa-
ratus attached TO the mainmast, &c.-This consists
rst OF series OF large bars clubs movcable
perpendcularly joints arranged about the
of the vessel, on each side of the mast, and when
in action they are raised alternately, and like as
many energetic fails beat with tremendous and
unceasng force upon whatever object they arc di-
rected against They are intended for close quar-
ters, and when they made to descend upon an
enemy vessel they must beat pieces every thing
they STRIKE men and rigging and even the decks OF
the enemy. BY converting perpendicular into
horizontal motion, one of them is made 10 ply lii
that direction and as it is jointcd and very long, it
must make dreadful havoc among the men, being
armed with lances and jagged hooks, and every
thing that can cutor tear. In the event of its
countcrlng mast standing post, its joints Weld
and set it free. An engine something resembling
the catapult the anoicnis, is constructed the
starboard bow, OF such amazing power, that il can
throw large stones of two hundred weight the dis
lance of 200 800 yards, when the whole force of
the engine is employed. 1t is also calculated for
drcharging hot water, boiling pitch, and melted
lead. An apparatus is constructed likewise for set
ting the pitch on fire, which is discharged flaming
ON the enemy vessel. The old practice of red hot
sand IS likewise in preparation, and when scattered
among the men must have powerful effect. All
this time II must be observed, there not above
half IA dozen men on deck f; two at the wheel arc
protected by rcdoubt, two three supcriutend
the necessary movements Of the catapult and about
three more at the other parts OF the vessel. The
rest arc working the great guns in the lower and
middle decks, attending the eng ncs. The valu-
able parts are defended with double strength Of
timber and i'll some places faced with steel. The
decks are bomb proof and in short il pretty we'll
asccrtaned. that with the help of her steam pad
dies she is imprcsnablc except by boarding. To
defend against this hundred crooked irons and
the like number of spears, each side, are in read
mess TO be worked by machinery, which would, in
two minutes, annhate the crew OF half dozen
large irgates, and besides this as her men are not
exposed on the decks, she can shower down melted
pitch and hot sand on the boarders, and a movea-
bic wheel is propelled in any direction, armed with
knives and saws, which viii tear pieces any per-
son against whom il is moved. have not heard vet
what is 90 be the name oft!lis internal engine. but
surely, II her name is agree with her descriptions
she is worthy otno other than what could give her.
viz % The Devil"