The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-09-15
The U. 8. Steamer Virginia and subn, erpee,
Propeflers.

To THE EpIToE OF THE Ny HERALD: -
SIR,-A notice appeared In your paper Of TUESDAY,
unauthorized by me, and your Phladeipha correspen-
dent makes still more free of the in connsc-
As the writers Of the notices ALLUDED to- are evds
writing about what they do not fully understand and
the name Of the undersigned being used in a manner
that calls for notice, you will, therefore do me the
favor OF giving this insertion which win place the
subject in its true light and set your Philadelphia cor
respondent right in regard to the matter.
Tn steamer Virginia originally built in this sitv
with my mode of propulsion 10 stated in your paper
Same There is similarity in H.. Of s shs
propeliing apparatus My first experiments made
in 1888 and 80 with the horizontal wheels experiments
very soon convinced of the decided advantage OF tue
vertical used In the Virginia, the horizontal
wheels Owing to the similarity above alluded to- op.
mm ediaely connected With the 80 called Iop.r pro
peer TO confouud the plans used by Capt Hunter With
those Of the writer 10 their the plans or
the gentleman alluded to said to have failed upon
which intend expressing no opinion, isasnuch con
own affairs No coufction is spprshsndsa bstwss ns
Capt Hunter and the undersigned in regard this mat
ter he being honorable man. aud acqusintsd with
tho facts Of the further reasons be offered
why others should permsddls In q matter which onv
concerns Capt Hunter and myself
Since the Virginia built improvements OF import.
have been made; and when informed that her
propeing apparatus to be changed proposals were
Immediately made the War Department that all tho
necessary alterations would be made in that vessel the
principle of propulsion to remain the which would
be necessary to make her one Of the fastest and most
sicient steam vessels belonging to the government
and IT, after the alterations the vessel did not
give entire satisfaction charge would be to the
government for work performed but In the vessel
should give Subtraction in every respect those who
made thu alterations to be paid at rates
IL WAS also stated that the alterations, which pro-
posed should cost the government very much less than
would be required to adopt the instead
retaining my mode OF propulsion These vary fair and
liberal proposals accepted by the Quarter
ter General Of the army.
Soon after the Virginia built and before she was
rgsed with sails 1t thought advisable test her BY
sea voyage from this port TO Boston The vessel at
dsrs two and half st twenty inches disme-
ter and boiler eighteen feet long, six feet diameter
with return hues blowers used in order keep
supply Of steam the vessel loaded nias feet The
in two hours and ton minutes at half tide the
whole distance to Boston was made in forty1vs hours
running tme and from .Nausett light to Boston,
distance of 70 miles, against fresh gale and heavy
sea- at the rate OF g. 81 and knots by the og when
left Boston the distance from the Duck to the light
house, nine miles run in fifty five minutes in slack
water These facts published at the time and csn
be substantated by the very best Of proof
Soon after this the blowers removed the vessel
passed of the hands Of the original builders and
subsequently, sold to the War Department. in the STR
Woe of which she has not been the efficient the
small boiler IN her did not correspond with the size of
the wheels which must be driven at the proper rate of
speed there will necessarily be loss of power These
control at the time and have ito their dscredt)
taken advantage Of these circumstances without
tigating causes and their effects.
Since the alterations ordered for the Virginia by
Gen Jesup number Of notices have appeared in the
papers of this city aud Phiade phia written
dent desire to throw dscredt upon my mode propui-
sion From whatever source these may have emanated,
let 1t be said to those not to be ia too much
upon this subject Very respectfully, eF-
Your obedient servant,
T. +. ALDRICH.-~