The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-21
From the Baltimore American.
COAL FOR STEAMERS IN THE NAVY
STEAM BATTERIES.

1t will be by advertisement Of the Navy
Commissioners in another column, that the prOprie-
Of coal mines requested to furnish samples OF
their coal at the Navy Yard in w ashingon, for the
purpose of having experiments made to test the quail
tiles Of the different specimens, with the view Of as
certaning the kinds best adapted to the purposes of
steam navigation in the Navy.
The opportunity thus offered will be favorable one
for proving the excellent qualities of the AIIegany
coal in this State which has been generally consid-
sdercd possessing highly valuable properties for
most of the TO which coal is applied fuel The
bitumnous coal of the Susquehanna Valley, large
quantities of which may be expected in this market,
is also believed to be admirably suited to the purposes
of steam navigation. A-f
While we are upon this subject may take occa-
sion repeat the expression of our earnest wishes In
which this community, we are sure heartily JOIN, that
practical measures may be speedily taken for estab-
ishing system of steam defcnces for the Chesa
pcake Bay. The efficiency of steam batteries has not,
that know of, been fully tested but Is it not worth
while to make some experiments to ascertain that
point? The city of Baltimore and the whole region
of the upper Chesapeake unprotected
they were in 1914. The approaches by water to the
city of Washington are unguarded as they were at
that period
In the event of war ii would be highly desirable
to have in the waters of our Bay, in connection with
floating batteries several strongly constructed steam
ers carrying heavy guns yet adapted for shoal water
allow them to enter the Patapsco, the Patux-
ent the Potomac and other rivers and to guard the
entrances of those important streams. series OF
experiments to ascertain the proper form, size and
construction of such vessels, might be with propriety
commenced Immediately. Some time and perhaps Sc
vera attempts would be requisite order to attain the
desired ends. But every experiment would teach
somethng-and something which cannot be learned
without experiments.
| Another idea may be here suggested We see
how steadily and perseveringly the British government
is going on in the work of strengthening her steam
marine. If we should be compelled into a war with
England it would he chiefly maritime war; and to
such an issue Great Britain is probably looking. She
has adopted policy for this purpose by adding to
the number and efficiency of her steamers-that
TO say she has united with companies of private in
dviduals for building and keeping afloat extensive
lines of powerful steam ships to be used in time OF
peace for purposes of trade and for the conveyance OF
passengers and ais the ocean, yet adapted IN
all RI spects for walke whenever occasion shall
arise for their employment in that way. Now, what
should prevent the adoption of similar policy by this
government in respect to the coaswlse communication
between our chief cities on the Atlantic seaboard and
the Gulf of Mexico? We could have mail steamers
running regularly from Portland and touching at Bos-
ton, New York Norfolk Charleston Savannah, Mo-
bile and New Orleans, with others connecting there
with and communicating with Philadelphia and Bal
tmore-the points ofconnection being at the Deaw
Breakwaer for the city and Hampton Roads for
the other These steamers would constitute the best
kind of Home Squadron they would partially pay
their expenses, and thus be OF little cost to the
government beyond that of constructions and they
might be made like the British mail steamers, ready
at any time to receive ornaments board and hted
forthwith for war; An excellent school would thus
be provided for the instruction of officers in the
efficient management of steam vessels "a species OF
skill which every day becoming of vast Importance
and which cannot well be acquired without training.