American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-13
From our Portsmouth correspondents

FROM our portsmouth corrcspondent1
1he fyate Saca'nah-Steamer Eagineer-Steam
Jryate Pomhatan-frigate ColumJia-Sloop- Of
rar Leoant-Liae-c cf-battle ships Delaaoare and
Cotum6us-Frigates United States and Constez-
lation.
PORTSMOUTH, VA, Oct, 10, 1851.
| GENTLEMEN: The U. S. frigate Savannah.
Capt. II. N. Page, of whose arrival in Hampton
Roads | yesterday informed you, came up this
morning in tow of the steamer Engineer, Sail
lng-master Olmstead to the anchorage off the
Naval Hospital, and exchanged salutes with the
commandant OF this station. By the way, in
speaking OF this gallant little steamer fhe En-
glneer) | would remark, that there is no vessel.
PROBABLY, IN the navy, that renders more actual
service TO the Government than does this little
BOAT, her energetic commander, and men; ever
ready at moments notice to perform any duty
the wants of the service require either by towing
their ships to and from the anchorage or the
hoads-a service heretofore performed by pri-
vate enterprise at an exorbitant cost to the Gov
ernment-taking freights from the yard to the
Baltimore or Washington station, bringing drafts
of seamen from the latter place, supplying the
shipping about fitting out for sea with water
from the canal, which is now performed in n
few hours by hitching on the tank and proceed
ing to the locks. And all of this is now per
formed at an expense that is merely nominal
when compared to former outlays for similar
services. This arrangement showing wisdom
and economy of the greatest order is due to
that gallant old salt, Commodore Sloat to whom
also may be attributed the vast improvements
his energy and zeal have accomplished in the
Gosport Navy Yard: and of which, at q future
time, intend to give you some account In detail
The steam-frigate Powhatan, one of the four
hrst-class steamers authorized by an act of Con
gress some years antecedent to this time, is
lying at the yard, and progressing at the usual
gait, 1. e., as slow as possible. When completed
(if ever) this vessel will be among the noblest
specimens of naval architecture of which it is so
deservedly our pride to boast. To-day the op-
GRAFTON of stepping her masts and bowsprit is
being performed, which suggests the presump-
ton that we may yet one day, though it be dis
tant, sec in motion those huge engines, which,
from the time consumed in their construction
would warrant us in concluding will be worthy
so noble and symmetrical hull as is the Pow
hatan's
The frigate Columbia has been thoroughly y
repaired to her water lines, newly coppered
and fitted up in good style. Her interior ar,
rangements are commodious, and yet no waste
Of room is manifested. The old commodore that
gets her will feel proud of his command
The sloop-of-war Levant is now in the dock
undergoing n thorough repair, also, from her
kelson to her decks. When completed, she
will, in most respects be equal to a new ship
She is one of the old sloops built under the
immediate dictation of the board of naval com
missioners; and though, in point of sailing
qualities she was considered equal to any of
the others similarly constructed, yet the great
improvements made in this branch of science
have thrown all of these old models out of the
pale of consideration. If, however, she had
been heightened, by throwing into her centre
some twenty or twenty-five feet, (the advantage
Of which has been fully realized in the case Of
the sloOp Viucennes, of the same brood, she
might even now be considered tolerable sailer
The line-of battle ships Delaware and Column
bus, and the frigates United States and Constcl-
ation, are lying here in ordinary with no pros
pect Of being soon fitted for sea. What pity
that these two frigatcs whose historical adven-
lures are replete with events that are pride
to every American breast, and whose reputa-
ton is worldwide, should be allowed to lie in
our harbor and moulder away, as though the
great and glorious deeds Of their gallant crews
had been numbered among the things that were
. once but are now no more remembered.
NADLE.