The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-28


The Jefferson" built at oswego was upon Cap.
tain Ericsson's plan, but has been changed to Lo.
per's.
The "Dalas, building at Buffalo, was intended
for Lieut. Hunters plan, but is now having side
wheels applied.
The "McLane," building at Boston, was intend.
edfor Lieut.. Hunters PLAN but is likewise changed
to side wheels.
The "Pok," at Richmond, and "Walker," a,
Pittsburg, are under construction with side wheels
The contracts for building were made for all du-
ring the administration Of Mr.. Tyler.
The report is too voumnous to be embraced in
one number of the "Union;" and we are, therefore,
compelled to publish the several experiments in sue
cession We commence with the case of the "Spcn-
cer:"
Report Of trials Of speed with the revenue
steamers Spencer, Jefferson, and Legme,
NTH Hunters submerged whsels and Err
lessons and Loper's propellers: made BY
direction Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury and under the superintendent of
Captain alexander Y. Fraser, United
States reuenue marine-1844 and 1916.
U. 8. REVENUE STEAMER SPENCER,
New York, Oct /, 1914.
STA: have honor to report my return to this
city, after an absence of six DAYS The annexed
report of the chief engineer will show the condition
of the machinery, and all matters connected with
his department, consumption of fuel, &c.
left this port bound to Boston, by sea, on the
24th ultimo. The machinery worked we'll as far
as the light-ship off Sandy Hook, in running which
distance, eco miles from the Narrows,) the Legare
beat this vessel Al minutes Left the Narrows at
III. 32m. p. M, with the ebb tide, and arrived at
the ght-ship at All. Tn. p. M; deduct 3 miles for
tide, and the distance run Ut miles) in Oh. 37m.,
will give the speed under steam 26-l57 miles per
hour for the Spencer which agrees to a fraction
with previous trials made upon the Hudson river.
The same distance was made by the Legare in In.
SOM, or 92-llO miles per hour. Il will be per-
ceived by the report of the engineer that as great
pressure Of steam was carried as was consistent
with safety; the boilers, however, foaming, from
the want of sufficient height to the stean1-drum,
which may be corrected.
Having left the lght-ship, the starboard wheel
soon became useless, the velocity with which the
wheels are required to revolve Zone engine being
out oflne) having melted the rabbet's metal in the
journals. This is the second time the accident has
occurred. An assurance has been given by the en-.
gineers that this defect may be remedied.
ran for New London, and repaired the damage.
Starting again under full head of steam, another
accident occurred, which compelled me to take shell
ter in Newport; the blow-off pipe having been bad.
ly secured, blown off, but, fortunately, no per-
son was injured Seeing that no good could result
from any further trial, determined to return to
this port, as most convenient for making any aera-
tons or repairs which might be deemed necessary.
Took the equnoctia gale, which blew with great Vi.
olence from the eastward, and was compelled to run
before il through Long Island sound. the Legare,
having greater stability under canvas, and her ma
chinery being in good condition. took shelter in the
harbor Of New London.
From what have seen Of these vessels, am
confirmed in my former opinion, that they have moi
sufficient beam by eight ten feet to enable them to
perform under canvas, as was anticipated by the
late Secretary Of the Treasury, Mr.. Spencer; and
that the principal reliance must be placed upon
steam. The error was in allowing the projectors Of
the two plans of propulsion to control the models
of the hulls; and for any defect in the sailing quail
ties, they alone are accountable.
must confess that was astonished, considering
the small surface of the paddles and the small d.
ameter ofthe wheels, that such body as the Spen.
Ger could be propelled at half the speed attained
and convinced that there is mertin the principle
if perfected.
No vessel for revenue purposes should exceed 2C0
tons, whereas these are nearly 400. The masts and
spars generally of the Spencer and others on that
plan will require great reduction before it is safe to
send them to sea. The Legnre has the advantage
in sailing by the wind, in consequence Of having
greater bearings to sustain her; although the dispro
portion between the leneth and breadth will prevent
her turning to windward in a sea way. In building
vessels TO be propelled by both wind and steam, ID
absolutely necessary to sacrifice, in measure, one
quality or the other. In building these vessels, il
was intended, for cconomy's sake, to sacrifice the
steaming to the sailing qualities; and any failure il
attributable, in great degree to nattention to this
particular. l feel convinced that, had Lieutenant
Hunter given an increased diameter of eight or ter
feet to his vessels, with the same draught, they
would have sailed well under all circumstances and
had stability under canvas The increased diane.
ter given to the wheels would have greatly accelera
ted her movement under steam, and the necessary
fuel would have been carried below the water line
feel great reluctance in suggesting any altera
tons, and extreme regret that il should become ne
cessary for me to exhibit faults in either plan; bu
am compelled to do 80 from sense of duty.
The launching of the rest of the vessels has beer
delayed, in order to enable Lieutenant Hunter tc
make any alterations required in the steps Of the
wheels, and other portions of the machinery.
Under any circumstances, the spars must bt
greatly reduced; which will require some time, as
general reduction in the canvas is likewise neces
sary. For this defect Lieut.. Hunter is in nowist
accountable.
Its due to Lieutenant Hunter to notice particu.
larly that this the first trial, at sea, of the
chinery of the Spencer; whereas the Legare had
been three months aAoat, and every opportunity wa.
afforded to remedy any existing defects, and to make
any necessary alterations TO the machinery. In the
course ofmy Official duty, have hadan opportuni
ty to the model of the seam-frigate building al
Pittsburg, upon Lieutenant Hunters plan, for the
naval service, in which the objections to the models
Of those vessels are, in great measure, remedied
she will have IL feet more beam than the Spencer
while the length is increased only Is feet and,
have no doubt, will perform well under canvas.
In conclusion, | would respectfully sugges
should any increase Of the service be contemplated
the propriety Of building sailing vessels, or side
wheel steamers.
! have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
ALEX. v. FRASER,
Captain of Revenue Marine.
Hon. GEo. M. BDB,
Secretary Of the Treasury.
Steam journal ofhs United States revenue sienne,
Spencer, "A. " Fraser, esq, commander.
Fired up Tuesday, Oath September, in the harbol
or X,.l, - - -,