Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-27
VESSELS OF WAR

VESSELS OF WAR.
The result of some experiments now in course of
trial at the Washington Navy Yard would seem to
establish the unftness of iron as material for
the hulls of vessels of war The small iron steam
er Water Watch, being condemned as unfit for fur
Their service, has been lately moored off the Navy
Yard for the purpose Of trying on her sides the
effect OF shot and shells at point blank range A
few days ago an eightinch shell was fred at her
from 56pounder gun, at distance of three hun
bred and fifty yards. The shell went clear through
both the sides of the vessel tearing large ragged holes
(much larger than the diameter of the shell, and
too irregular for plugging and scattering small and
Jagged fragments of iron, which in an action would
likely prove more dangerous to her own crew than
the shot from an enemy's battery. Another shell
fred at her wooden bulwarks made only clean
round hole
We derive these facts from an officer of the yard,
who deemed them worthy of publicity. He left
with US two of the iron fragments, which are GER
tainly very glylooking things to be flying about
man.
Since writing the above we have been favored by
another naval friend with an article on another
branch of naval steam construction-namely, the
propelling power-which we subjon:
NAVAL PRopELLERs.-The most remarkable improve
ment of late years in shpbudng has been the
full application of the propeller appropriate
in the hulls Of seagoing ships Aside from the advan
tages which the commercial navy is destined derive
from the employment Of the screw the fact that the
ofwar steamer has been found last begins be
missed, slowly to be sure, amongst naval men
We had glimpse of this forthcoming fact in the per
Torrance Of the Princeton and had che been followed
up, doubtless would have been complete and
the sidew wheel steamshipofwar unfit for naval war
fare, would by this time have been obsolete
The American " Princeton" and British Rather
contemporaries With us ten years neglect have
borne its proper fruits, and have built jus. now two
ships, Princeton and San Jacnto" at the point
Of knowledge where left off just years since These
two ships will be- therefore, years old principle
On the other hand the " Rather" followed UP by
Others until at this time the feet alone built and
building, consists of fifty ships brief description of
recentlybult British steam sloop-of-war may be
both interesting and instructive.
The Niger" steamsoop is ,070 tons, is shp-rgged
carries twelve 32pounders the broadsde and two 8nct
pivot shell guns She is 194 feetong and though small
than the San Jacinto may be somewhat larger thar
the " jamestown" soop-of-war.
The steam machinery, boilers inclusive is entirely be
smoke-stack only is exposed and that is arranged 4
house.
The Niger" is propelled by q screw, with two blade
only, and the main shaft is arranged be withdraw
when desired from the axle Of the propeller by which
the propeller being thus disconnected is free to be dis
posed Of in peculiar manner
The ends of the axle made work in sockets con
neced with upright screws called Iftineuear and vher
disconnected from the main shaft the propeller may b.
lifted by half dozen hands from its submerged place
perpendicury up out Of water the upper blade bens
lodged just under the upper deck and the lower lynr
snugy masked, above water nearly So against tn,
section Of vessel out for the reception Of the screw
BY this arrangement the screw which was lately drag
ged under water when not used, is now slowed with
much convenience and tenth part Of the labor require
for bower anchor, and quite securely carried TIL
ship becomes in all respects perfect sailing ship.
section Of the vessel is out fer the accommodation
the twelve feet forward Of the sernpos
is called the trunk which In way nterferes with til
action Of the rudder.
The Niger has dispensed with the usual water-tank
to which one-haf of the entire hold is generally appr
prated in cruising ships gaining for fuel and prov
sions all the fresh water being manufactured daily
the galley.
portion of the fuel used on board is now always
compressed coal, not liable spontaneous combustic
and compact in stowage
From her form and rig the Niger" is to all intents
fast and effective saship, and complete steamer whe
wanted for steam duty. Should extraordinary serv
call for the Of steam, the Goals taken from Il
home dockyard will last her for the entire cruise an
che not expected 10 burn or any but extraordinary srp,c
Some Telegraphist in this city, on Wednesds
night last probably for want of substantial materi
for news despatch, has given circulation throup