The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-05
Our Gibraltar Correspondence.
BRIG "CHATswoRT


GIBRALTAR BAY, Nov ), 1851.
Raising Of the Remains of the U. $. Steamship
Missouri, &c. &c.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD
arrived here on the 10th of August after very
short passage, since which time | have been en-
gagged in removing the remains Of the United
States steam frgate Missouri, which was burned
to the waters edge, and sunk in this bay, on the
goth Of August, 1913.
Since my arrival, have been at work On the re.
mains of the steamer every day, without intermis-
sion, with unbounded success By tho aid of my
sub marine armor, have placed gunpowder under
the machinery, and ignited it with powerful bat
terry, which was compelled to purchase in London.
By succession Of sub marine explosions under va
rious portions Of tho machinery, have deepened'
the water to such an extent that any vessel can
now float over the wreck with perfect safety, al
hough, when arrived, there was no. over two
feet Of water above various ortons ofhe machinery,
such wheels, cranks shaft, and the t;nbers Of the
unken vessel, (Taylor's reports to the contrary,
otwithstarding) have with me three American
iyers, besides the crew Of my vessel who can also
dive with the greatest facility, and do their york in
most satsfactory manner, producing result truly
stonishing
When first arrived, the English residents Of this
place would not believe that | could accomplish
anything, as they did not think s'.hat any good
could come out OF Nazareth particularly when an
English contractor had failed, after working three
years. ! accomplished more 10 three weeks than he
did in as many years, although he was here under
more favorable circumstances, from the fac. that
the steamer had just sunk, and every portion could
be seen from the surface Of the water, (Which was
upon my arrival, completely covered With oysters
and shels,) and tho nuts could be unscre ged, and
the keys driven out, thereby disconnectng the ma.
chinory under water, which now completely CO.
vered with rust rendering them mpervlous either
to Vrer Oh or hammer. Notwithstanding these OBJ.
stacies, have removed nearly all of her machinery,
aud am now rapidly breaking the hall of the vessel
in pieces, aud hosting them 70 the surface of the
water. During the ensuing summer, | anticipate
that shall entirely remove her remains, and
Leave 10 yesdgc Of She Ill tated Eteamsr Ia this
haibor
By the aid Of sand torpedo that invented just
before leaving America. have been enabled to
place gunpowder beneath The sand, at any angle,
and sc any depth under water, and ignite j. az my
own convenience, with the greatest facility, and
have found ii TO be eli the greatest Utility in my
operations on the Missouri
After mad blasted and broken asgnder portions
OF the machinery. | commenced hosting the broken
pieces, some of them weighing fourteen tons, and
| assure you that powerful purchases had TO be
constr ucted TO lift such massive weights Of iron.
Stll, i5 is accomplished, and & majority OF the
work is completed.
! have had proposition to remove the Pesrl
Rock as it IL called which is located IN the Straits
Of Gibraltar, and is qnite dangerous to navigation,
and several vessels have been lost upon IL. have
also received proposition to remove obstruction
in the harbor of Constantinople. Whether shall
accept either Of the above propositions, am as yet
quito undecided
am at present also engaged in raising French
bark, sunk off tho Spanish town of Algecras, (op-
posito here) she lies il one hundred fee. of water
! have already siupg her with five chains and have
two hulks over her. Yesterday the 4th, | raised
her eighteen feet. She has valuable cargo,
am ong which is eighty whole pipes of brandy, and
between forty and sixty thousand francs in specie,
! am to receive one half Tor raising her.
JOHN l. GowEN,
American contractor for removing the
wreck Of the U. ). steam frgate Missouri.