The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-03-27
Correspondence Of Me New Orleans Pcayue.
U. S. SQUADRON, ANTON LrzaRpo,}
February 90, 1917.

u. 5. SQUADRON, ANTON LrzARpo,)
February 90, le47.
AS we are expected to have res
pectable and efficient steam force in the Gulf
at this moment, will devote paragraph to lis
present condition. We have only two steam.
ers which can with any propriety be called sea
steamers, or be safely trusted IN norther-
Both Of them are out of repair. The Mississippi
pl has gone home. The Princeton remains. but
her boilers are thoroughly worn out, SO much
so, that they have to be treated as tenderly 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-
lleve am correct in saying that her boilers
would not stand many days under steam. We
have lett four steamers, wholly unseryiceable
for most sea purposes: the Vixen, Spitfre, Me-
Lane, and the prize Patrita.
The sPitfire, few days ago, attempted to
run down to Tabasco, 80 miles, with smooth
sea and light wind. She came back al night
in sinking condition, with thirty inches of
water in her hold, the water making faster than
it could be pumped out. The Vixen is in a
similar situation. 1t is hoped by constant a.
tention and nursing TO keep both in a state 10
render service before Vera Cruz. The Nc
Lane is unable to pass the bar of Tabnsco
river, where she remains for rise. But this is
hardly to be regretted, 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, or was once, fast and
substantial river boar, probably recollected by
some of your older residents as the champion,
She has been very serviceable as despatch
boat in pleasant weather, but would be expect
ed to go to. pieces in heavy sea
OF course we regard this .hig ~ efficient
steam force with due pride, as evincing our
country's resources, and proving how much
can be done in the way of expedents in time
OF war, when, as Mr.. Bancroft says, the activi-
ty OF patriotism and the resources of invention
are SO stimulated that it consists with prudence
and far-sighted economy to disregard the obso-
lete maxim Of preparing for war in the time of
peace. Two more steamers--new invention or
temporary expedients--are daily expected, and
it is devoutly hoped that they will prove no
worse than their predecessors When they ar
rive we shall be ia possession of seven remarks
able steamers, ready TO fulfil the reasonable
and just expectations of the country, by ate
lacking fortresses, taking towns, forcing river
channels lined, with batteries, to say nothing of
less brilliant achievements in bufIettinp the
gale on a winters blockade, which will be the
more glorious as some of the steamers will put
to sea or lead into action in sinking condition,
and others without serviceabe boilers.
As Mexico is weak and we are strong. il ia
proper that some expedient should be devised
toput us upon equality, and the activity of pat
riotism and the resources Of invention having
been stimulated, after Mr.. Bancroft's method.
we have hit upon this very expedient of Grip
Piled vessels, just as big boy sgnalizes his
magnanimity or proves by offering to fight
smaller one with one hand. Il seems to mo
that there are two other advantages. One is
that the ingenuity of constructors is fos,ered
in palming on the Government worthless steam
ers at the largest price; and the other is that
the activity Of patriotism and the resources of
invention of those who serve in them are slim
ulated to devise new expedien,s, to keep their
hulls ahoat and their boilers from bursting.