Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-05-15
The Iron steam-shipsAIIcshany.


We svaled ourselves days OF an opportunity
10 visit this vessel with several II citizens company
with the inpsafer aud commander. Capt HusrEK Through
his poencss and that of the officers duty ample laei
afforded only Rraly the curiosity but TO en-
tighten the Judgment OF the unproessonal andsman as re-
CARDS her adaptation aud capacity subservo
ed at in her construction. Believing experiment now
in progress, aud nearly arrived in the con-
suucton OF the Allegheny, be sught with more .
OF propulsion, II be omss devote 4 portion OF
space to the development OF the objects which sought
| to be attained.
We have denominatcd Capt Hunter an inrentor II the
Allegheny shall succeed in fulfilling their fullest extent
the expectations entertained OF her performances the dc.
monsuation Of his title be considered will bo clear.
He will stand before the world tho dscoverer and build
er OF the FIRST rNRfEcr WAR STEAMER in the world
Not To engthen our article much necessarily
should do in going into Details may briefly that
the grand desideaium has been and is apply
power To ships OF render them once perfect
vessels capable of being kept ut sea and
managed, and manauvred with the perfect eficen-
ey known TO naval improvement, WHETHER SAILS Or
STEAM.
There is not in existence steamer belonging
any nation which up to this standard, OF COM
bines the greater part OF these qualities As sailing
vessels they below the middlng quality of tho class
they belong to- being made by their side wheels
propecrs, &c. while merely they have not ca
paciy for carrying fuel enough keep them long
and ct too heavy drauRht Of safety
except the deepest harbor Over and above this
armament is necessarily dspoporonatey small in number
and as srEANKRs, they liable to be disabled by shot
takirg effect in their machinery.
In the plan OF the Allegheny IL is expected that there
will be presented perfect sailing ship, combined
the capacity OF being used equal i'm
when under only, the best ocean steamers now
ahoatesrying much fuel they. and possessing the in.
caculabie advantage OF having her machinery
perfectly protected against the possibility damage by tho
fire OF enemy. Nay more-wiih u heavier battery.
sho will draw less water and DO enabled enter oil har-
bors accessible TO large merchant vessels, thus combining
with the character OF tho vessel carrying thunder
Of every that OF armed coaster
fed pursue and destroy the enemy in retreats where he
9th h.r,.
The tonnage OF the Allegheny Sc tons Her draus hi
OF water light L. III feet inches; deep fully equipped
only 10 feet The depth OF the bar the mouth
OF the Mississippi is always full Is feet IL is perceived
therefore, that she only all times South
ern harbors now shut vessels water
but enter ana ascend the Mississippi with perfect aud
safety.
But readers infer from this, that the Ale
shany sort az pop-gun SHIP that enemy of heavy
weight -: metal might with impuni She car
ries FouR sINrN-FouR FOUND PAxuAS sCNs, ON Fivors
and pierced Tor THIKrYrwos making in all guns
The four 6iPrs being Pvos available any drcc-
ton, and being OF such heavy metal will do full execution
range where the broadsde Of the largest ships Of war
would be perfectly harmless. The Allegheny therefore
will be perfectly competent TO encounter with success the
largest sailing ship that floats. Being equal ii superior
in speed as saer, by the of her power
Which, before stated entirely prolected-sho may take
Just what position she chooses and being of reach Of
the enemy's shot, riddle her adversary long iaw."
Most Of readers presume are aware that the MIA
by which Captain HUNTER expects preserve the sailing
qualities of his vessel chiefly by the use of the
up al WILL leaving the side OF the vessel smooth with
the same general contour in sailing ship These
wheels, and the entire machinery, before stated are
tar below the water line be OF the way Of shot
II the Allegheny IN her performances shall uf the ex-
pecatons formed Of her stated above the most
diced or incredulous will be compelled admit that she
Is the best and most perfect ship in world As
che Is now plouon and will short time
give us fact IN place of speculation, would be useless
indulge IN predictions For part after making ourselves
acquainted with the principles OF her construction we do
not entertain doubt. But, viewed an experiment.
the result is OF immense the people of the wes
and Southwest she shall realize the hopes formed of her
we shall have arrived at the truth that the Mississippi
Valley better adapted than other spot the globe
Tor the building Equipment and manning of the eii-
cient naval armament that the world has seen.
But the theme grows upon US ard defer to an
other day survey OF the future which considera
lions open TO the mind, well of the pecuari-
ties in the plan Of thus steamship which have yet been
Touched nnnn.