Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-22

eli tetps i, shall te usuno by using, either tue
construction repair Of ships timber that shall not be
subject considerations and they would also respect
the state previously Indicated necessary 90 Them
from decay They he preserved without being well
hoped that this point often heretofore urged. would far
ca,med the favourable attention o! Congress- as to have ndu-
ced that honorable body TO have adc the nece'say apo
rriatons
1t may proper here submit the result of our ohseIva
timber As to the hes, methods many opinions ii is
yet unsettled point among the mos experienced and m'eil
gent Weighing all these opnons and referring to
past experience the conclusion that the follow
would be found eectua moi So than other 'hat
Live timber immersed for - months
then taken up aud placed de' cover to protect against
by the fact, tina, renders 1t less liable To spill,
Hh'ts oak .nter--Lc it be doched about l8 months in
fresh, years taken up awcd
such sizes required then placed
two or three years when it will be ht for use
}etoD ptne-Let be docked for abou, Il months, then
taken mp aud sawed 10 oP4r zcsoE uscten placed under
ccver for about two years.
Mast tipberLei, immersed water and covered in
mud and continue III that slate until shalt Oe required FOR
All timber ought be cut, if prscticalc when the gea,e
proportion of the sap arrested circulation (say
LIST Of November the Febr,Cry)-and being
need IN the water ought never To he iaken ont al Other
season than early III the Sp if to he avuicaan should
then, as early be lascabe after being sawed
uHcGu 10 proper sizes required al ship building DC put uhfe
sheds constructed asn: free circulation air.
me same time to shield from to" much exposure 10 the sun
and strong Currents OF Il believed il the timer used III
TIC CO. uucon OF our Ships was 10 undergo like th
ttlt tie!f Durability would be Increased twO!1li
i he commissioners entertain 6Ou tlla, much
been sustained by laucm5 ships before required
service" On the stocks well protected, ship bG peserv
e. almost without eNpense for sceat Number years roba
NY as long the furniture Of house particularly if bull,
The best materials and properly ventilated
aurched and not protected while building, hy house
o'ef covering, from the weather. has from necessity
tie case wh many oi ships and continuing unprotected
er decay soon commences aad becomes destructive, partcu
lirly III their patliing
As to the effects OF different kinds Of upon corpcr
ships lying III ordinary salt doubtless corrosive
IMAM fresh In fresh where there strong
such copper is used for ships, 32 would proa
bly, twenty TO twenty-five I'm saltwater, upo,
copper depending probably upon the degree satness, dc
/ AZ Gfcrent pacas
Tile bottoms Of our ships in situations soon become
oiccd ana even Muscles ana oysters themselves
the "copper" and prove njgous IN other situations
when the water is oHy little byack. is formed on
a external surface of the copper which suppose protects
the interior copper-and may do small! degree But
e Tact admitted that copper can he preserved longer fresh
i IN salt water, s, the contrary doubt the will
regard TO the timber Of ships, which is universally believed
os more durable IN salt than III fresh
more important material than copper i'll the
SHIPS whether we refer 10 the cost, the difficulty ptovi
ding it, -
Suitable copper be readily obtained all times auc
seasons but requires suitable ship
Aud may be remarked worthy of considerations thar tn,
water salt all OF our harboys in any way calculated
devious fer our Navy.
have the honor to be, with great respect sir your oeien
servant JOHN RODGERS.
Hon John Branch Secretary of the Navy,