Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-04-09
Naval Propel,ers.

The most remarkable improvement of late year.
in building has been the successful applicaton
OF the screwpropeller to appropriate forms in the
bulls of going ships. Aside from the ADVANTAGES
which the commercial navy is destined TO derive from
the employment of the screw, the fact that the man
ofwar steamer has been found at last, begins to ho
recognized, slowly to be sure, amongst naval men,
We had glimpse of this forthcoming fact in the
performance of the 'Princeton,' and had she been
followed up, doubtless success would have been
complete, and the de-wheel steamship of-war. so
unfit for naval warfare, would by this time have
been obsolete.
The American q Princeton" and British "Ratler,,
were contemporaries. With us ten years neglect
have borne its proper fruits, and have built lust
now two new ships, {. Princeton and San Jacin
to- at the point of knowledge where we left off Just
ten years since. These two ships will be, therefore
ten years old in principle. On the other hand, the
Ratler was followed by others, until at this time
the feet alone built and building. consists of
fifty ships. A brief description of recently-built
British steam screw sloopofwar may be both inter-
esing and instructive.
The Niger" steam sloop is 1910 TONS is ship
rugged, carries twelve 32pounders the broadside
and two o-inch pivot shell-guns. She is 1914 feet
long. and though smaller than the San Jacintop
may be somewhat larger than the jamestown,
sloop-of-war
The steam machinery, boilers inclusive is entire
ly below the water line and beyond the reach of
shot the smoke stack only is exposed, and that is
arranged to house.
The g Niger" is propelled by u screw, with two
blades only, and the main shaft is arranged to be
withdrawn when desired from the axle of the pro-
peller; by which the propeller, being thus dscon-
nected is free to be disposed of in peculiar man.
ner. 49,. -
The ends Of the axle are made to work in sockets
connected with upright screws, called lifting gear
and when disconnected from the main shaft, the
propeller may be lifted by half a dozen hands from
its submerged place, perpendiculary up out of wa
ter +; the upper blade being lodged just under the
upper deck, and the lower lying snugly masked, a.
bove water nearly so, against the section of vessel
cut out for the reception of the screw
By this arrangement the screw, which was lately
dragged under water when not used, is now slowed
with as much convenience, and tenth part of the
labor required for bower anchor, and quite as Sc
curely carried. The ship becomes in all respects a
perfect sailing ship. section of the vessel is cut
out for the accommodation of the ten twelve
feet forward of the sernpost and is called the trunk
which in no way interferes with the action of the
rudder.
The /" Niger has dispensed with the usual water
ally appropriated in cruising ships, gaining room
for fuel and provisions; all the fresh water being
manufactured daily at the galley.
A portion of the fuel used on board is now always
compressed COAL not liable to spontaneous combus-
ton and compact in stowage.
= From her form and rig the niger" is to all in
tents a fast and effective sail-ship, and complete
steamer when wanted for steam duty. Should no
extraordinary service call for the use of steam, the
Goals taken from the home dock yard will last her
for the entire cruise and she is not expected to burn
it for any but extraordinary service
National InteUgencer.