The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-15
Extraordinary Iron Steamship Building at
Hobol<en, Tor the United States Govern

Extraordinary Iron Steamship Building at
Hobol<en, Tor the United States Govern
ment.
Some few months ago we learned from Commodore
sloat who is superintendent in Stevens shipyard,
Hoboken, that iron steamer, of the most extraord
nary construction, building there for the United
States government by Mr. Robert l.. Stevens. The
Commodore invited either visit the yard send
reporter for the purpose Of examining her, which
did in compliance with his invitation and believing that
it was matter of public interest. But before giving
the result Of visit and Inquiries will state few
fats in relation to the vessel itself.
Some time in the year 1910 az, Mr. Stevens pro-
posed to the government to buiH floating steam bat
terry OF iron protection, in the event of war, to
the harbor Of New York BY order of the government
experiments made to test the of this
theory under the supervision Of board Of navy and
army Officers Commodore Stewart the head one
and Col Toten OF the other The result proved
half inches In thickness Of wrought iron, to be perfect
defence against sixty -four pound solid shot, fred at
yards distance from the target Upon their repoi Of
these facts Congress directed the Secretary Of the Navy
to into contract with Ro ert L. Stevens for bull
ing steam battery upon his plan for the defence Of the
harbor of New York After the execution Of this agree
neut dry dock constructed capable Of containing
vessel Of the size required by the contract together
with shops, steam engine, furnaces, TOOLS SO. The
progress Of the vessel was however delayed for want OF
the necessary appropriations until about two years ago.
when Congress again directed the Secretary Of the Navy
to proceed with it under the contract. Some further
delay, however, occurred occasioned by the necessity
Of enlargng the dry dock for her reception The bat
terry constructing, s four hundred feet ia
length the water line Since the completion Of this
DOCK considerable progress has been made the work,
and the ship is now, with he exception of a
few ribs completely in irse and about one-third plank
al 18th virnxa plata A To- dovc
in consequence told, of pressure in the
money market hundred and forty who we're en-
gagged in her construction, discharged
These all the facts which In possession Of
and it 10 almost unnecessary to say how unsatisfactory
they Desiring to publish full description Of tae
vessel Of reporters, have said In compIi-
with the invitati extended to By Commodore
sloat, who is experimenting her truction paid
visit months ago to the ship yard in Hoboken As
neither Commodore Sloat Mr. Stevens could be
found at that time he explained the object Of his visit to
the person charge of the yard but told that IL
his employers desire keep the matter as secret as
possible, and that admitted INTO the yard
Keep. tie worhmen and few OF Mr.. Stevens persoia
friends. Two three days after reporter called n.
the residence Of Mr.. seyens, ia Barclay street, be-
evng that IL was only necessary to see him 10
obtain all the particulars in relation TO his ship.
After one or two unsuccessful attempts he at last
succeeded in nnding that gentleman at home, when the
following conversation TOOK place.
REPoRIKH-Mr Stevens presume.
MI. STEvfNs, docking over the top OF paper which
he was readng)-fes, sir what do you want with msf
REPoRTTR-l am of the reporters Of the New YORK
HERALD and called for the purpose OF getting descrip
on OF the bomb pro,f steamship at present
Of construction in your yard the United states gov
eminent.
Mr.. SrrvrSs--well, sir don't wish to make the mat
ter public and cannot say anything about it. 1t would
be no benefit to me TO have anything published about
the vessel at this time.
RLPoNrxE-As il is subject In which thu pm bic, and
esI,cally New Yorkers interested, Mr. Bennett Is
sirous Of giving them all the information that he
obtain about IL.
Mr. E,kss--Tt would be Of use to the public to
lnpw what am doing in my yard. can't give any.
thing concerning the vessel.
hroRlflsl have few facts concerning the contract
which made ten years ago with the government !
but IL Is necessary That soad have detailed descrip
tim Of the vessel before making IL public
Mr. sTxywSs--f don't want you 10 publish any thing
at all regard to vessel As said BEFORE the pub
lie lave interest IN IL and IL not necessary that
they should bnow anything concerning my zement
lIroLr1H--t God morning, sir
MIR. SIkytxs-Goou morning.
hus ended the 6rs interview OF our Reporter with the
builder OF the bomb proof iron steamship for the de-
fence vi the barber Of New York
letter vas ublshed yesterday, by OF the Grm
IN morning laIer, but as II gave very brief and
satsiactor description Of the vessel sent the
reporter to Mr. Stevens with the request that he would
fuinh him with all The details supporting the mat
ter had ady been made public by the firm, there
The particulars The second interview however, as
unsuccessful as the fret the following conversation
will show
kirornr--I called upon you, Mr. Stevens, some
mfnths in relation fo your bomb proof iron steam
r. with tho request from Mr. Bennett that you would