Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-06-24
From the Madisoniai .

We notice with great qualification the
arrival at the Navy Yard in this city, OF
4 the experimental steam vessel Of Lieut..
Hunter, in thirty-two hours from Norfolk.
The Germ, as she is most appropriately
named, is propelled by Lieut.. Hunters
submerged propeller, of which our readers
have before seen some notice in our col.
umns.
We cannot too highly estimate the val
tie of such inventions as this, aud Of that
Of Ericsson, recently tested on tho ship
Neptune, on her passage outward TO l1g-
vana AMI homewards. Should they
prove successful, hs we have for some
limo past believed they would, their value
to the nation as a means of extngushing
eiicctually the whole steam armament Of
the ordinary construction Of ony nation
which may attack us, will be beyond
computation.
Too much credit cannot be given TO
the Secretary ofthe Navy for the prompt
manner in which he has sought to secure
to the country the benefits of these inven-
tons, by sending an experienced naval
constructor (Mr. Rhodes) to New York
Immediately after the return there of the
Neptune, that he might possess himself Of
the facts relative to the operations of E.
ricson's propellers during her trip, and
by the means adopted to bring into the
public service the invention OF Lieutenant
Hunter.
The Germ performed the trip from Cos
port Yard TO Washington in 30 hours, a
distance Of two hundred and forty miles
or Whereabouts and making at times nine
mlies per hour.
This is but a germ, it is believed, Of
what she can do. The invention it is be.
lievod viii also prove Invaluable to the in
land commerce of,hc country, as no great.
er wake or swell is produce by the &C.
ton Of this propeller than by the motion
Of an ordinary boat propelled BY sails or
otherwise, nj the same speed.
The Germ is believed to be the small.
est steam vessel ever sent TO sea being Of
but 8 feet beam q; the water line, aud of
80 feet IN length, drawing but feet wa
ter and possessing 6 horse power. Her
propellers are feet in diameter superb.
cies of each paddle ID a square foot.
In passing through Hampton Roads "a
gainsl a heavy head SEA and in face of
strong N. f. blow, her engine performed
the usual number Of revolutions and work.
ed as steadily sin smooth water, giving
conclusive proof of the safety and fit adap-
tation Of these propellers for sea nayga-
ton.
The well established fact, that the speed
pT ypSc..l ip aanolaratoI h.
diameter Of the paddle wheels, leaves no
doubt that vessel on Lieut.. Hunters
plan may be propelled as rapidly as one
of equal size by the propeller now in com.
mon use.
This little steamer is indeed " germ"
Of great promise. 1t was presented to the
notice oil the Hon. Secretary OF the Navy
soon after he assumed the duties of his of
flee in March last, and by his characters
tic discrimination and promptncss of &C.
ton, he has within the short period OF
three months, at trifing expense TO the
country, constructed and put in operation
this vessel and thereby practically tested
this important invention.
| The Richmond Wing says, from what
we have heard respecting this invention,
we incline to the opinion that it is worth
all the PaiXhan Guns in the Universe
Were the inventor an Englishman he
would be knightod at least.
| Mr. BENTON AND THE PREsIDENCY.-
The Democratic Party of Philadelphia
held meeting few evenings since, and
nominated Thomas II. Benton, Esqr., as
their candidate for the Presidency. In
reply to letter informing him of these
proceedings, Mr.. Benton declines, in dc.
clded terms, TO permit his name TO be used
as one Of these from which the Democrat
ic Party is TO select its candidates.
The Presidents message was received
in Cincinnati on the 3D. INST, in 90 hours
from Washington, a distance OF nearly
600 miles Ifnnrecedrnted suc,d