The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-23
CAPTAIN STOCKTON AND THE STEAM
MAN-OF-WAR VESSEL, THE PRINCETON.


We publish the official report made BY Capt.
Stockton to the Secretary of the Navy, of the
trial Of speed made between the Princeton and
the British steamer Great Western The re.
sui, was such as 10 make it a proud day for
Capt. Stockton, and the country proud of Law
ing such son. The Great Western has long
been favorite vessel on both sides of the At
lantic, and took precedence with the public over
all the ocean steamers for speed, skiful com
mand, &c. The act Of challenging a vessel
with such an established character to a trial of
powers with one which was still, in a measure,
which few would have venturcd on, and none
Who are not actuated by that noble spin, Of
chivary, for which Captain Stockton is so emf
nently distinguished.
There is not any thing whatever new, but
only Improvements in the arts, as applied to
ship-building, machinery, and steam power
The model Of the Princeton is said to be as
Pc rfect as any thing that ever hoatel on the
water. Every one who sees her, is struck with
admiration at her perfect symmetry and grace
full appearance. The machinery is said TO be
Of the most perfect character, in design as well
as in finish. The ship, the machinery, and
every thing connected herewith, has been orr
sinated by, and constructed and executed under
the immediate superintendent of Captain
Stockton To him belongs all the credit of sue
cess, and the renown which it sheds on the
country, for these extraordinary Improvements
in the arts ; as, in the event Of failure, he
would have been obliged TO have borne all the
odium consequent thereto. This, after the ex-
pectation Of the public had been elevated to the
highest point, would not have been either light
or measured. Captain Stockton's professional
as well as scientific reputation as staked in the
result Of the experiment. Thus far he has sue
ceeded, and riumphed far beyond, it appears to
us, what his most sanguine expectations could
have ever anticipated. In this he reaps a rich
reward. The country, which he has long gal
lantly served, derives the benefits.
This is not all. The armament and its cha
raclcr are yet to be spoken Of Two wrought
iron guns OF greater weight than history give.
any account Of having ever before been forged.
The smaller one, thirteen or fourteen feet long.
and carrying ball weighing 2l0 pounds-the
larger sixteen feet long, and carrying a greater
weight Of metal. These. also, the original in
ven6on of Captain Stockton. The experiments
that have already been made prove, we under
sand, that these guns discharge ball with the
accuracy of a rifle and with most terrific effect.
The union Of these tremendous engines of de.
strucuon with steam power, by which The ship
can be propelled, either backward or forward
and against wind tide, or current, will lead to
an entire change in the mode of naval warfare
A greater change in character will be wrought
before ten years shall have passed over, we ven
ture TO predict, than that produced in the mode
Of travel since the application, by Fu on. of
steam power to propeIlng boats and locomo.
tives.
The name Of Stockton is destined, in all fu-
ture time, to adorn the pages Of history as a
splendid contributor to the glory Of his country,
oy the Improvements in science and the arts, for