The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-03-27
Correspondents Of he Msig Orleans Rcaumc,
y. s. sotAnRoN, ANTON LizARro,D
February 90. Ie47.

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U. 5. SQtADRoN, ANroN LrzaRro.1
February 90, ls47.
= AS We are expected to have 4 resi-
pccinble and efficient steam force III the Gulf
atthls moment; | will devote d paragraph toils
present condition. We have only two steam
ers which can with any propriety be called sea
steamers, or be safely trusted noriher.-
Both of them are out Of repair. The MISSISSIPPI
pi has gone home. The Princeton remains, but !
her boilers are thoroughly worn Out, 50 much
SO, that they have to be treated as tendeny as
egg-shells, and she is exempted from all ordi-
nary service to save her for some more Import
ant occasion which is expected to arise. be-
lieve am correct in saying that her boilers
would not stand many days under steam. we
have left four steamers; wholly unseryiceabls
for most sea purposes: the Vixen, Spit6re, Me-
Lane, and the prize Patrita.
The Spitfre, a few days ago, attempted ID
run down to Tabasco, 1880 m with a smooth
sea and light wind. She came back at night
in a sinking condition, with thirty inches IL
water in her hold, the water making fasterthan
it could be pumped out. The Vixen is ina
similar Situation. II y hoped BY constant All
t%ention and nursing to keep both in j state ID
render service before Vera Cruz. The Me-
Lane is unable to pass the Bar OF Tabasco
river, where she remains for d rise. But this IS
hardly to be regreaed, as she is rendering more
efficient service there than could be. expected
Of her elsewhere; as her boilers are nearly or
quite worn out and she is hardly deemed safe
at sea. The Patrita is, OF was once, a fast and
substantial river boat; probably TeeoIlected By
some Of your older residents as The champions
She has been very Serviceable as a despatch
boat in pleasant weather, bnt would be- expect
: ed to 60 to pieces in aheayy sea.
e Of course we regard this hig " efficient
steam force with due pride, as eyincing our
Oountry's resources, and proving now much
can be done in the way Of expedients in time
8 of war, when, as Mr.. Bancroft says, the activis
1 ty Of patriotism and the resources Of invention
are SO stimulated thatit consists with prudence
d and far-sighted economy to disregard the obso-
lete maxim Of preparing for war in the time Of
peace. Two more steamers--new invention Oh
temporary expedients-are daily expected, and
: it is d%evoutly hoped shat they will prove nd
worse than their predecessors. When they a.
,r rive we shall be in possession of seven remark
10 able steamers, ready 10 fulfil the reasonable
and just expectations Of the country, BY al.
lacking fortresses, taking towns, forcing river
channels lined with batteries, to say nothing Of
less brilliant achievements In bufetting the
v gale on a winters blockade, which will be the
more glorious as some Of the steamers will put
to sea orlead into action in a sinking condition,
i and others without serviceable boilers.
AS Mexico is weak and we are strong, it is
proper that some expedieut should be- devised
to put us upon equality, and the activity Of pat
Of riotism and the resources Of invention having
h. been stimulated, after Mr.. Bancroft's method
we have hit upon this very expedlent Of Grip.
id pied vessels, just az a big boy signalizes his
', magnanimity or proves by offering to fight
ID smaller one with one hand. Ii seems to m,
At that there are two other advantages. One,ii
that the Ingenuity Of constructors is fostered
in palming on the Government worthless steam
vs. ers at the largest price; and the other is tina
ed the activitysof patriotism and the resources 0
ou invention Of those who serve in them are slim
in ulated to devise new expedien,s, 10 keep thei
nd HILLS afoat and their boilers from bursting.
IT ~ ~.