The daily union., 1852-05-11

by experiment. And why They were built for yes
they built under the direction oil the
Navy Department. they directed and superintendent
by all the skill in the naval construction that that de-
parment is master Of Every requslton by the govern
nenl in their construction fully and completely con-
piled with and with regard 10 strength, the requirements
exceeded on the part oil the popretors oil ih
Mr. HUNTER dislike to iaienup, the gentleman ,
but does he mean TO say that they are built OF white
! oak ships of-war generally are 2
j Mr. BADGER No. sir do not say that.
Il Mr. HUNTER Then is that up to The requirements
as far regards strengih'
the requisitions OF the department; for my friend w
observe that though once had the honor to be al the
head q ,he Navy Dsparmen % not CLAIM az ios myss
meats. And do not say have not the hme yet
have not the energy OF my friend from Virginia Mr.
HUsTEal make myself acquainted with these paricu-
lars But take my position here. have skill in
such matters pretend to none. These vessels were
bat under direction Of an act OF Congress which re-
CURED them TO be under the superintendent OF the
Navy Department they were built under the supervis
ion Of the proper officers OF the Navy Depamentthose
officers il whom the government trust, when they oaa
ships OF their own, that they have the necessary
qualities Now, suppose that when my friend used
the term whns oak. he did not tcas oak. but hy
oak. understand from my friend from Rhode Island
GMr. CLARKEl who comes from quarter OF the coun-
try where every understands this matter-even SEN
they are built OF white though
not OF live oak, Now, experiment has yet been MADE
to ascertain their fitness for war purposes. and doubt
not we all, that there will be no necessity fort
Mt HUNTER L the gentleman NV will al allow mel VIII VII,
is acquainted with this subject tells me that they are
planked with pne and not with oak, as is usual in yes
Mt BADGER was not speaking Of the pankns.
/ but Of the trnbers
Mr.. HUNTER / suppose the strength Of the vessels
depends upon the planks as well as the hmbers.
Mr BADGER hope my friend from Florida MI.
MALLORY will get up and give his testimony while he Is
/ Mr. MALLORY What is the questions } n
Mr. BADGER, do not know You are not my wit
ness. lLaughterl
A SENAToR About the planking OF the Collins steam
Mr.. MALLORY. Twill say this: that every ship thai,
ever had an opportunity 10 know anything about, thai
was built under naval direction, is planked with oak
plank The Collins steamers are panked with pine II
not, then they have been officially msrepresened The
mbers of our naval vessels are OF live oak the umbes
of the Collins steamers mixture OF live oak locust,
Mr. BADGER. Be ii So would then ask the
senator from Florida Mr.. MALLoRYl one question He
says these steamers are planked with pine Are they
not panked with southern pine!
Il Mr.. MALLORY. Certainly
Mr., BADGER, Enough said. Southern pine is a
great deal better than northern oak. tl.anghterl
Mr.. MALLORY. All that can say IS. thai i, has
not been considered BY the naval authorities OF the
country. for they have taken oak in preference.
il Mr. BADGER Then am happy 10 see that they are
coming round now in that respect.
Mr.. HALE, Since the passage Of the Compromise
Mr., BADGER am for southern pine instead OF
northern oak. But 10 return.
These naval constructors had the direction OF the
s,rucon of these vessels They were approved by Them
and accepted by the department have before said and
now repeat will consider them competent
vessels until by experiment. the contrary is shown
Nothing be urged against them now but opinion
i Now, my friend from New Jersey [Mr. MILLERl the
other day read two brie opinions upon this suDjecone
from naval constructor and the other from one oil The
most eminent gentlemen that belong to the navy In
Commodore Peys letter 10 the Secretary OF the Navy
he says; 49,. .t-,,,.
"According my alculaons the Of the conversion
Of the before entioned vessels exclusive of
me repair machinery. Would certainly
ought not to cost Tor each steamer over S2oOoO and
could readily be done for this at any Of our navy yards.
With respect the pon and their respect
arnaments clearly OF the opinion that the hrsi-
inch Paixhan guns on pyo-two forward and attof
weight OF those in the Mississippi and inch Psr
comfnode the vessels and The weight less than the ice
which usually forty and slowed away in mess
Commodore Perry continues that
"In general operations of maritime they could
om their great speed as despatch vessels, and for the
transportation ofuoop. always capable Of attack and de.
fence, and OF oyerhsuling escaping from an enemy
!" The Atlantic Pacific Baltic, and Arctic have an been
built, inspected, and received by the Navy Department
The other very short note which my friend from New
Jersey MIR MILLrRl read is from Mr. Grer, very well
known for bis skill naval constructor. lie says, IN
note TO the chairman OF the Naval Committee, (Mr.
Gwm;l
UxrrrD STATES NAVY Yam.
u Philadelphia, April IA, 1852
sR, In answer yours Of the l3b, have TO state
chief wal constructor, the specifications Tor building the
proved US In accordance with tue act OF 81 OF March,
1871 a........ #.. =. a.
Il They can be converted into carry bat.
terry equal TO our largest ses 10 shod time and
the eraons 70 be made 10 receive such bat
terry will nof ..cccd cost OF S20,OJ0 each
lam SIR win treat respect, your obeiient ssfvant
u FRANCIS GRIER-
Thus we have the opinion OF Commodore Perry that
these vessels, in OF general maritime war; would
be OF exceeding yal0e-not merely, as my friend from
Virginia lbir HUsTEa seems TO suppose, as transport
ing vessels but permanently valuable tor war pur
poses from two considerations First, from superiority
OF speed and, secondly their power both OF attack aud
OF defence But my Trend seemed 10 be OF opinion that
speed was not any recommendation 70 war vessel.
leWhatl" said he, "do we prepare our ships with
speed in order that they may away from the enemy Z"
casion 10 run and with speed 10 overtake an enemy
when there is occasion 10 overtake them. But how
ever dignhed and elevated II may sound Tor the gentle
man say tina, he does not consderit any recommenda
ton OF vessels Of war s neet 10 escape
from enemy yet tried by its practical Application to
things, every knows that there are occasions IN the
history of all bodies o men, whether they the
and or on the sea- when nothing is more important
than 10 have speed IN otder 10 escape IRON Toe which
they cannot oyermasier successfully resist And my
friend should recoec, too that the very speed whcn
enables them to escape superiority OF force bears them
with triumphant power and an unex eeed suidenness,
which gives additional force the attack, upon
emy whom IL desirable 10 meet, and whom they
capable OF successfully conending with. fet
Ii 10 then, that, ~ either view oil this sub
iecnrst considering these vessels "a the mere insiru
menalites Tor the transmission oil intelligence and nam
tanning our postal arrangements with other countresy
have every reason TO believe that the money which this
bill proposes TO give in addition TO the compensation now