The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-04


was planned and built in the Charlestown Navy
Yard after the Boston was launched, and was
intended by her constructor to be superior ship.
How lar he succeeded, leave for others to de-
termine.
The characters Of part Of the first named six,
asdrawn by their commanders, is here added,
and any one conversant with the subject, VIII
be able to determine what credit is due to as
sertion without proof
C8ARA .rrR OF THE BosToN-Jan. 1S26.-We
sailed from Boston with a strong wind from -.
N. w and stood out of the Bay with single
reefed top-sails foresail and main top gallant
SAIL steering before the wind until abreast of
Cape Cod. the ship going 10 knots per log. AZ
ter hauling UP S. S. Z. to 60 out OF the south
channel, took the third reef in the topsai!s, and
took in the main top gallant sail she averaged
eleUea knots and could have carried whole top
sail and main course at the time. The observed
latitude next day justified the distance given by
the log, being seventeen miles to the south OF
that account. l had occasion to stay her several
times under topsails and courses, and she work.
ed admirably, and no doubt will combine all the
good qualities that a vessel need possess She is
very stiff and bears her canvass as well as any
ship have sailed in.
CHARACTER OF THE VINCENNES-Jan. 1921
/ have to state that as far my experience and
observation has gone, think myself justified in
|
ing close hauled, with much wind as she can
conveniently carry, double reefed topsails and
courses do. Under top gallant sails, royals, and
| indeed any sail by the wind, her sail appears to
| be extraordinary, both from her velocity through
| the water, and her capacity for holding good
wind. With the wind abeam, or a point for
ward or aft of it, under any sail; but more espc-
| cially in strong breezes under low sail, she APP
pears to possess greater excellence than is usual
| ly found in vessels of her class. The chief ex-
cellence of this vessel evidently consists in the
| great facility with which she performs all ma
noeuvres, and her capacity to carry great deal
of sail without straining or pressing her. She
| appears to steer and work with more readiness
and advantage than the ships have heretofore
sailed in, and from these circumstances / am dis
posed to think in the points specifically referred
| to, her carrying. working, and steering, she is
| almost unrivailed.
In head sea, with fresh and strong breezes,
under reduced topsails, courses, Sc, she can
| compete on wind with any vessel.
For comfort and security generally, equal to
any, and superior to most vessels.
In the only norther experienced whilst at an
Choir in Valparaiso Bay, she rode beautifully,
with but little strain to her cables.
My regard for the Vincennes is based upon a
knowledge of her most excellent and superior
qualities, and | viii only add, that if she was
thereby render her what think she nearly is al
ready. a NonpaIeu CNote-the proposition
was TO alter some part Of her internal arrange
ments.
CHARACTER OF THE FAIRFIELD-1S31.-l
have never sailed in a finer vessel She
steers well, bears her sail well, works well
sails well, and in short, has all the properties
which could be desired IN a ship.
To the following questions the answers ar
annexed:
How does she sail close hauled in a top gal
liant gale,
Answer. Fast, and bears her canvass well.
How does she sail close hauled in a topsai
gale
Answer. The same-fast, and bears her can
vass well.
How does she sail under rcefed topsan anC
courses !
Answer Admirably.
How does she steer, wear and stay, under all
circumstances?
Answer a s well as could be desired
How does she lay to in a gale, and under what
sail does she behave best
Answer. Close reefed maintopsail, reefed
foresal and balance reefed spankcr or stern
mixen. She is very comfortable, unless it blows
extremely heavy, when the ma IN topsail alone
find to be the best
How does she sail with the wind on the beam
How does she sail with the wind on the guar
teri
Answer. Very well.
How does she sail with the wind aft?
Answer. Her worst saiIing-rolls easily anC
is easy on her masts.
How does she stand under her sails?
Answer. Very well.
At subsequent period the following ad
ditional testimony was received.
The Fairfield arrived at Norfolk having hac
aplssage of IS days from Valparaiso. She has
proved 10 nv perfect conviction that she pos
sesses all the best qualities of ship. She sails
well under any and all circumstances, and
! think there can be no better sea boat.
CHARACTER OF THE ST. LoUIs.-The St
Louis is an excellent ship, possessing more
good qualities than any ship ever sailed in
In scudding, laying to, or sailing by and large,
she is the safest and most manageable ship |
have been in. She sails and 10 knots by and
large with great ease, and | have frequently
made II and IL knots for hours together and
once IL for nearly the whole "a hours.
The lrigate Macedonian has been cited as
being too ull in the run, and for not possessing
the qualities which should characterize ship
of war. The launching draft of water of this
shin was aft I7lt in; forward Ii #. 10 in, diff
|
of wates was greater than that of any ship il
the service and compared with the Brandywine
Potomac, and Columbia, whose launching draft.
are given below, shows that she has finer rur
than either OF, those last named Her character
will be seen in the reports below The form o.
her stern has been censured on account OF Its
appearance. II those who criticised this ship
had been aware OF the reasons which induced
the constructor to give that form, perhaps thelr
observations would have been spared; Inc
objections TO the sterns of frigates then afioat,
excepting the United States Gt is full IL years
since the plan of the Macedonian was drawn
and 10 those on the stocks, excepting two, wmcn
had been altered, was, that the chase guns could
not clear the stern when run out Tor hiring
and it was to remedy this defect, that the sterr
of the Macedonian was formed as it is. ltmusl
be borne in mind that this ship was intended
TO sail on an even keel. or nearly, and to have