The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-14

U. S. STEAMER SARAHAc,

N0Rf0Lk, YIN loou.
STA The recent cruise of this ship, from New
York to Norfolk, furnished an opportunity oil test
ing her qualities in point never before tested and
for the want Of which / had hitherto deferred the
expression Of my unqualified approval Of her.
refer TO her having then had, for the first time all
her coal (nearly four hundred tons) on board
With that quantity of coal, ordnance, boat
swain's, carpenters, and sailmakcr's stores for
three years, provisions for four months, and water
for thirty nine days, for two hundred and thirty
five men, she brought to her deep load line,
drawing seventeen feet eight inches, with dip 10
the wheels Of six feet.
This was, Of course, the most uniavorable posi-
ton in which she could have been placed for speed
and efficiency, and am gratitcd to say that,
highly my expectations were raised, her per-
formance far exceeded them.
With smooth sea and moderate wind on the
beam, without the aid Of canvass, she made nine
miles per hour, with an average consumption OF
seventeen tons of coal in twenty four hours, IN
Guiding the getting Of steam, and this, too, with
the greater part of the fremen inexperienced. Ia
one watch Of four hours (he chief engineer giving
his personal attention) she made nearly thirteen
revolutions of the wheel with from twelve to four
teen pounds Of steam, and with cutoff OF three
feet six inches, her speed being nine miles per hour
and the consumption Of coal at the rate OF but hir
teen tons in twenty -four hours.
On former cruise, when half-coaled, and with
all other things above enumerated on board, she
had made, under favorable circumstances, without
the aid of canvass, from eleven to twelve miles per
hour.
When therefore, it 10 considered that her frame
is of live oak and that she has tree nails bu,
bolted throughout, with scantling of great size
and strength, and the masts and spars of a first
class sloop with which she can circumnavigate the
globe without the aid Of steam, think that shall
be justified in saying that the Saranac is fine
steamer, of her class, as can be found in any
service; nor do know (and have commanded
her nine months) in what she could have been inn
proved.
To have obtained greater speed must have been
at the sacrifice of strength, and to have carried
coal at that of the comfort and health of the
crew, together with an encroachment on the stow
age of other departments.
Her supply of coal is sufficient for any service
but if at any time necessary, can carry fifty tor
more on deck and under
/ have, sir, been the more emphatic on this sub
ject, in view Of the harmless aspersons indus
triously circulated regarding her, and which have
been so effectual to have rendered the new re
cruits AFRAID OF Inc snip, ana 10 nave caused ire
quent desertions.
The condensers fitted in her wheel houses for
producing fresh water furnish US double daily
consumption, that Of that article we have an
unfailing supply.
| am, sir, with great respect your obcdent SER
want, JOSIAH IATTNALL, Captain.
The Hon, WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.
Forwarded by your obedient servant,
JOHN ID. SLOAT.