The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-23

teVery particular 10 the stpuauons OF tho contract
they would be left the hands of the contractor
and the government relieved from the modification
and expense of any failures which might occur
Economy, which should ever be regarded by those
Entrusted with the disbursement of the public money
as OF very great importance, would in this way be
secured The number Of persons who thus become
skilled in this particular branch Of business would
enable the government, on the occurrence Of any
great emergency, with what might be accomplished
at It's own dock-yards, TO have built and equipped
any number Of vessels which might be required.
Your COMMITTEES will now proceed to state con-
csey the rules 10 be observed or stpulatons 10 be
made, in the construction Of these vessels.
First That they shall havea speed in ocean nayi-
CATION, in ordinary weather, under the common pres
sure Of steam, Of at least fifteen miles an hour
Second. That their boilers shall be placed SO far
below the water line, and their machinery 90 ar
| ranged, as to be secure from an enemy's shot
Third That they shall be capable Of carrying an
armament Of at least six Of Treadwells wrought
iron guns, of l2inch ealiber, constructed to throw
either hollow or solid shot, and from two 10 four
smaller guns ofthe same manufacture.
fot1th That they shall carry at least fifteen days
fuel, under full pressure of steam, which would
enable them to remain at sea thirty days, under a
light pressure.
Fifth. These cardinal points being secured, the
model Of the ships should be left entirely to and
judgment and skin of the contractors.
With respect to the best mode Of propelling these
doubts. IL is believed, however, that no invention
as yet rivals the paddle-whee in speed; and as this
Is one ofthe esasntal points TO be insisted upon in
the system proposed, il would not be wise TO dis
card this tried and successful mode Of propulsion,
however desirable il may be TO watch and encourage
the progress Of invention in regard to submerged
Propellers. IL is unqueslonaby Of the utmost i'm
portance that both shall be thoroughly and fairly
tested. The fact that the British admiralty is adopt
ing tbe propeller to very considerable extent in
their bar steamers, is sufficient evidence ~ show
clear sense OF its importance. Your committee,
therefore, have to the conclusion that il would
be wise to authorize the employment Of both modes
OF propulsion in the steamers proposed 10 be built,
and TO recommend that such trials of speed be in
slituted as shall decide their respective merits.
Your committee hVe fets due sense Of the i'm
portance Of ascertainhg from scientific men whether
ii is practicable carry the views presented in this
report into practical operation. To this end they
have consulted the most eminent engineers who
have been for some time employed in the construc-
ton Of machinery and steam vessels, and have re-
ceived from them the most satisfactory assurances
that all the conditions deemed essential can be COM
piled with. Some fthese gentlemen have sent in
specifications and drawings (Which are annexed to
this report) Of war steamers, which they offer to
build under contract in accordance with the views
and stipulations which have been presented
Captain John Ericsson proposes TO build an iron
steamer OF 200 tons burden, with submerged pro-
peler, for $3.50, 900, with all her armament COM
plete. His drawings and proposals are hereto an
nexed, (marked and c. to which reference is
made for detailed description of what is proposed
to be accomplished. The views Of the committee
were fully explained to this gentleman, who now
stands ready to carry them into effect
Messrs. X. and q. l.. Schuyler propose to build
an iron war steamer Of about 900 tons burden,
with padde-wheels, copper boilers below the water
line, and machinery so arranged as TO be secure
from shot; to have speed Of at least fifteen miles
La,,. l.. .,I Ill ~tt.a
spects to comply with the views Of the committee,
for the round of S59l 000 contract for the
construction Of the hull at the rate of l2 cents per
pound, and for the machinery stipulated in their
proposals. For more particular description Of this
vessel reference is made to the proposal and draw
| ings hereto annexed, marked ID and E.
| The committee have recommended that the ar
mahlen Of these ships shall consist Of Treadwell's
wrought iron guns, ofateast 12-inch caber, and 1t
is proper that something should be presented in sup
port Of this recommendation. For this purpose the
Committee submit ample extract from MIR.
T'readwell's pamphlet, which will be found at the
close of this report and WILL it is believed fully JUS
tify their views. Ii is perhaps true that some preju
dice exists against the employment of wrought iron
guns; but it is not doubted that Mr.. TreadwePs
| Improvements and full and thorough examination
of the subject will dispel all doubts, and lead to
their general use in our naval ornaments, and that
the important fact will be disclosed that by the
adoption Of these wrought iron guns, the destructive
power of our ships-of-war may be at once doubled
and that frigstes, and, perhaps, soops-ofwar will
| be able to contend successfully with lne-of-batte
ships as at present armed.
| This country possesses some striking advantages
in its iron and coal for the construction and employ
men Of steamers, which it is proper to notice.
1t is a fact generally known and acknowledged
among machinists, that American iron is much
tougher and esS liable to break give way at the
rvet holes, when placed in the hull of ship, than
any European iron with which we are acquainted.
This is alluded to and stated by Capt. Ericsson in
his proposals. Anthracite coal, now extensively
used in our river steamboats,, seems peculiarly suit
ed as fuel for war steamers. 1t burns without
smoke or cinders. A vessel may be under a full
head of steam with this coal, without presenting
the slightest indication from her smoke-pipc that her
fires are lighted. This would enable her to ap.
proach or escape from an enemy at night almost un.
observed, and in day time be very likely to deceive
him with respect to her intentions. The coal used
in European steamers throws up large volume O
smoke, which may be seen at come fifteen or TWEEN
lty miles distance, and is to Indicate their
movements. Our steamers, therefore, possess de
cided advantage over them in this particular.
Much has been said of late respecting the posi-
bility of sinking a lne-of-batte ship with heavy
steamer going at the rate of IL or Is miles ar
hour, and cutting her athwartships. Your com
: mittee have deemed it proper to make some inqui
ries upon this subject, and without venturing al
opinion will only say that the facts stated in tn,
letter of Mr. George l.. Schuyler, and illustrated II
the diagram attached to II, seem TO sustain the ide'
: that that result might be accomplished.
1t has already been observed, that it is not tn,
, policy of our government to support large nava
ornaments in time of peace. II cannot, however
. be supposed TO disregard such wise and prope
measures as may be necessary to render our coun
try as secure as possible from the ravages Of war
1t has been estimatedthat war with Great Brita
: would involve an expense to this government o
from fifty to one hundred millions Of dollars yeaI
If very small portion Of this sum, say one or tw
millions were to be applied annually to the con
struction of iron steamers, we should in tn
course of few years have force sufficient to dispt
> all apprehension from the approach of an enemy
however powerful he might be, and to prevent tn
possibility Of hostile invasion. In any emergenc
: which might arise between European powers an
= their American possessions, all communicable
might be cut of, and events allowed to take the'
course without interference from abroad, or the ne
cessty on our part Of maintaining large armies at
: vast expense. One hundred, or perhaps n'V wa
steamers, Of the description indicated IN TINS repor
: which would probably not cost more money Una