Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-06-01
Tho following is tho article from the Portsmouth Va) Pr
lit 10 which referred few dnys since:

THE U. ) STEAM Err POWHAIAN.
consequence OF accidental visit Of the Hon. VIM a.
Graham secretary OF The Navy tic trial trip of this noble
oil on Friday last. week earlier than ht
t"e previously determined upon Among tic passengers
that interesting occasion, the Hon Secretary vi tit
Navy Com M0rIiSs chief Of the Bureau oil Ordinance and
photography, Com. Shubrck Chief Of the Bureau of Con
aur,nn Equipment and Repairs; and most OF The Officers
attached TO this station together with age number OF c
mud strangers.
Thu powhaan left her moornes at The Navy Yard about
hall past 10 o'clock A. NJ. under the command OF Gap!
Cunningham ard lsl Lieut. Oliver Gibson, and moved Oh
murl gracefully down The Elizabeth her way for the fret
Tine kiss the blue waters of tho Atlantic As the time s-
lowed for clearing up and cling the machinery wss SO very
limited apprehension was entertained lest the ttii
should successful desired but after getting
fairly way those approximations were quickly eStang
Tor ie gratifying conviction that this proud seciIth ~
Suull m skill than equal 10 Tic highest hopes am!
expectations OF those engaged in lis constructions and woGd
Ivornby compare with any steamer aiioa whether
BULL for commercial or naval purposes.
Tho tru extended within three or four miles oi
Cane Henry and then The Powhatan returned 10 her moor
reS ancnt five oclock P. NJ Though her engines were
new and stiff yet for large portion OF The time, they made
seventeen revolutions per minute md propelled The mani
moth structure tie Of fourteen miles per hour anG
yu The aciun of the machinery smooth and regular
Tint no notion lremOr perceived by those
on board The honorable Secretary, with all the officers oil
Navy present. yprcssed the highest qualification al the entire
success the trial ard spoke Of the manner in which the
whole work. in all its parts had been designed and executed
in the wayniest terms of commentator.
We give below particular desert plion Of the dimensions
The Powhatan and her engines kindly furnished US by
John Green ESQ.,, the intelligent superintendent Of The
financial department OF the Gusport Iron Works, where
nsc engines constructed under the supervision vi
Garrett Davis Esq. The erection OF those works was
commenced within the last four years BY our very enepf
sing fellow. citizen, A. Mehaiey, ESQ., under The clcal pa
rorage Of the Hon. John T. Mason then Secretary OF re
Navy. al first, il doubted by many whether SUCH
an establishment could succeed a the South but thinks
10 The enterprise and perssveng energy Of MI Achalt"
it IS now demonstrated thai Ocean steamers DC os We'll
supued with engines the G)spot Iron Works al any
other place in Union, while tie beautiful and perfect mo-
del the Pow hgan proves that our constructors End leca
equal in all respects II others IN this continent
During the trip elegant aGd sumptuous entertainment
furnished the guests in The spacious cabins OF the
steamer which complimentary toasls given 10 Sec
rotary Graham Ccmuotpres Morris and Shubrirk. SIR Me
hacy, and Others all Of which, duly acknowledged IN
eloquent and appropriate terms.
The model If the P0whatan was designed by francs
Girice Esq, Chief Naval Constructor and the work tXecu'
ted under The snperinendance Of Naval Constructor Sa
Enci r. Hart anI f. II. D~lano Esqs
The engines designed hy Charles f. Haswci, Esq
Engineer in Chief and constructed udrr the supenie
dance Of VIM StwclI Esq, Chief Engineer, assisted by
Geo. Sewe, Esq. Chief Engineer and Mr. John Faron,
st Assistant En-. necr.
To whatever quarter of the world this noble steamer shall
bear the American flag she vii! carry along with II Ire
strongest testimonial that in tho construction Of ocean
steamers the mechanics aud macniss OF Virginia occupy
position inferior those Of other Stale nation on
EARTH This fact trust will only relieve US from The
heretofore upon Virginia BY the citizens Of other
States bur stimulate ciIiZe6s 10 such Individual
and associated enterprises shall speedily wake up their
TO promo,o the commercial well other great interests
oF that tnynnn