The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-10
From The Germantown Telegraph.
PhiIndeIphia Navy Yard.

A short visit 10 the Navy Yard, few days ago,
with our friend, Commander RitGhie, made III ac-
quainted with the extensive operations going ON
there in ship building the construction of the great
dock, and in the erection of houses. Indeed, we
have not seen business there, within recollection,
so active IN the various departments, and We hope
II augurs well for the port Of Philadelphia.
The steamship Susquchanna, now ON the stocks,
s rapidly progressing, and will be ready for
launching early in the spring. She will be the last
vessel built ON the present site, inasmuch the inn
proycmcnts now going in the construction of the
dock will make it necessary for the large ship
house to be removed about one hundred feet nearer
the river. The Susquehanna Is thirty feet longer
than the great ship of the line, the Pennsylvania,
but then her breadth Of beam is much lees, and her
tonnage is but $500. To our unpractised eye she
is the most beautiful model We ever saw and we
learn that she is considered model by every body
who has examined her. She will carry but eight
guns of heavy calibre-One of them, which will b.
placed upon her bow, will throw hollow shot weigh
ing PCS pounds Her machinery will cost nearly
$500, O00-the four boilers alone 8 900 each -
and the whole vessel, when completed, about
s600,000. Her will consist Of about 300.
The dry dock il great undertakng-its magni-
tude impressng the spectator wildly Just now
IL will at any other time. Hundreds Of piles are
being driven in by machinery, through mud and
sand, some fifteen or twenty feet down either to
rock or a hard earthly foundation. A large Golfer
dam, thrown more than hundred feet out into the
very depth Of the Delaware constructed in the firm
est manner, protects the operations inside-a
pump nj one corner oi the space being occasionally
used each day tO drain of the water. This pump II
a curiosity Of itself alike from the simplicity Of It's
construction and it, uncommon efficiency ID is
driven by small engine Of few horses power,
forcing up three columns Of water i'm three different
cylinders This IL repeated eighteen times a min
ute each cylinder throwing out ninety four gallons
Of water each revolution Of the shaft making one
thousand six hundred and ninety two gallons each,
total Of five thousand and seventy six gallons
every minutel The pump is from the msnufac tory
of Mossrs Berkenbinc 4 Co. The contractor Of the
dry dock Is Mr. Dean, most intelligent and capa-
BILE gentleman; and the engineer Mr.. Burgess, who
is second to no one in his profession.
Beside the steam vessel and the dry dock there
two neat dwelling houses erecting for the use of
| the officers connected with the yard; and brick
| timber shed go by 40 feet Other improvements,
i'm the shape Of additions, &c, also being made.
In a short time considerable improvements will be
requircd-such the extending of the outer piers,
removing the great ship house, building walls, and
adding 10 the dimensions and appearance of seve-
raj Of the present buildings, &c. But these will de.
| pend upon future appropriations by Congress,
| which we have no doubt will be- promptly made
and thus will tho navy yard at Philadelphia, 40
long apparently the object of studied neglect ON
the part Of the Government, become Of the most
important, as il has always. been acknowledged to
/ 10 De Of the most valuable and economical naval
stations in the whole country. The number Of
workmen employed at the present time in the yard
/ is about three hundred.
Our country friends should not fail TO pay an oc-
casionsl visit 10 naval station. The gates are
open until p. M. and free admission is allowed 10
| all properly behaved persons. Omnibuses leave
| the exchange for the navy yard every few minutes,
aud one two hours will suffice TOR the trip.
which will be found full Of interest especially To
| those who are not frequent visitors.