Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-11-26
COST OF STEAM SHIPS.

COSI OF SIEANl SllfS
The construction of the noble steam frigate kamS-
chatka, at New York, by contract, for the Russian Co.
yernment, has been made the occasion in 4 New York
paper of some comparisons between her cost and thai
Of The two steam frigates, (the Missouri and .MisSis-
s;Dpi.) building at the New York and Philadelphia Navy
Yards by our Government, unfavorable to the latter; 1t
being alleged that these cost 100000 each, while The
Kamschatka, OF three hundred tons burden more than
either of them, cost but S45O,000. This allegation has
been met by the North American of Philadelphia, with
sundry reiutory statements, which, in justice TO the
Navy Commissioners, we think it proper to transfer to
our columns-diyesGng them of every thing beyond
the naked facts presented.-Nat. Int.
The Public have been amused, ever since the
launching Of the kamschatka irigate, with boaslings
of her qualities, performances, and ~cheupness of con-
struction. And in extolling this vessel, pains have
been taken to hold her in contrast with our Govern
ment steam frigates now being constructed, and to pre-
judice the public mind against these vessels and the
Administration under which they are building.
ave are not conversant with the acts OF the Navy
Board in former years, but whatever may have been
the errors in times past, the noble specimens Of naval
architecture which have been constructed under their
supervision and orders, and presented to the American
Public in the Two steam frigates Missouri and .Hissis-
sippi, ought to entitle them 10 entire confidence. OF
the machinery and performance of these vessels we
will not speak, because il has not yet been brought TO
the test of trial, and we do not feel disposed 10 take a
hand at "the game of brag.' When completed, these
ships will tell their own story, but as specimens oil ma
val Architecture lney dt DtIoI III Wuilu, III staHu,
by the verdict Of public opinion, unsurpassed, even BY
the Wanted kamschatka, whose beautiful proportions
have been so Justly admired. But 10 The article in
question.
at is charged that the "Navy ships will cost up
wnrds of 5000 600 each" That "the kamschatka is
three hundred tons larger" with "two decks instead
of ONE and is superior in workmanship and en-
zines" and evil be delivered in Cronstadt for $780,
ono or less," "including Schuyler's profit OF S3O,00O,"
all of which We will show to the reverse Of the truth,
IL -, 500 frar, ~ rnp
ton derived from the most authentic sources. We
have also information on which we place firm reliance,
that the cost of the Russian is enormously moderated,
and tha, she will not be delivered at Crons,adt short
of 5000, 900.
such we have rated the tonnage) except in the engine
rooms, where they all have single decks.
The Missouri and Mississippi measure on the upper deck, from
the iront orthe stem 10 aft stern post, ranged up 22i II. long
Breadth Of beam WE
Tonnage measured az two deckers 1864 2O-95 tons
R,e,dlh Of heam at the paddle wheel shaft 35r. 10 in.
Depth OF hold
Tonnage by the same rule 1885 1885 tons
1.-THE Kamschatkn is sponsor butt. Ihat is 10 say,
she widens above the waller line fore and ait the water
wheels. in order TO give her a more roomy deck. The
breadth here given is the body of the vessel rs she sits
upon the water. But the act of Congress, which was
not intended for a craft of this build, requires the
measurement OF breadth 10 be at the widest point above
the wales, and consequently the register gives 4 iana-
ci0uS tonnage OF l,fSf fO-Oo ~ o. o1io' sS
Sponsors being al feet 10 inches; The real breadth at the
water line being 3 feet . inches narrower than the
Navy ships. The cost Of the Missouri and Mississippi
has been ascertained with as much accuracy as their
state of forwardness will admit, within a short period
Including their armament, the expense of these yes.
sells, fitted complete, will not vary five per cent. from
one million of dollars, or FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
dollars each. But we have some deductions to make.
The frame of the Kamschatka is the frame OF a ! 400
ion shin. while the frames Of the American vessels are
of ZOO tons. The frame Of the Russian is white oak
worth forty cents a foot, and will rot in ten years,
The frames of the Americans are Florida live oak. OF
larger dimensions, costing one dollar and seventy-hve
cents a cubic foot, and Will last for ages. The kams-
cha,ka is fastened with wooden trenalls. The Amerl-
cans are fastened throughout with copper, without a
trenail in them. Let US put this to figures:
q, 600 cubic feet Of live oak timber in the American frames, at
81 rs SJo,'oo
10000 cubic feet of white oak in the Russian,
at 40 cents o,fou
Difference --U,1o
iO u ren Us copper 4''e"'"s" $4,000
On nm do in Russf,n 5000
difference ---2n,00
z n