Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-03
Correspondence of the N. Y. Daily Times.
The Frigate Contract.

Secretary DoBBIN has, at last, finished the
award of contracts for the construction of the
engines and machinery ofthe six steam frgates
now building for the United States navy. The
contract for the engines of the monster ship,
the Niagara, is awarded to PEAsE l. MURPHY,
of the Fulton Ironworks, in New York City,
who will doubtless add not little, by the ex-
ecution of this contract, to the excellent repu-
tation they have already achieved. A number
of the best establishments IN New Y rk were
among the bidders for this work but PEAsE
MURPHY presented plans fully equal to any in
design, at the same time that they proved their
entire competency to do the work in credita-
BILE manner, and we're among the lowest bid
ders Ifthey succeeds no doubt they will
in furnishing the Niagara with machinery that
shall stand the practicable test OF sea service,
their fortunes will have been made.
1t will be remembered that two OF these frlg-
ates are building at Norfolk. The lowest bid
ders for engines for one Of these were Messrs.
ANDERSON & Co., Of Richmond, Va, gentle
men of large capital, and possessing an estab-
lishment second to none In the country in point
of materiel, although with little or no expe-
rience in building marine engines At the
same time, they have as superintendent of their
works gentleman Of large experience in New
York first class shops, and who possesses the
entire confidence ofthose to whom the Secretary
referred for advice in the premises. In view
of their admirable equipment for business;
their large responsibility their evident ambi-
ton to succeed; and the fact that their bid was
considerably lower than any other, Mr.. DoBBIN
| awarded a contract to Anderson 4 Co., for one
| of the Norfolk ships. They then offered to
duplicate the machinery under their contract,
| and place the duplicate in the second Norfolk
ship, at price many thousand dollars lower
than any other bid. After mature elaboration
the Secretary, this morning, decided in favor Of
this proposition; so that Anderson 4 Co., will
construct the engines for both Of the Norfolk
ships. If they fail it will cost the contractors
| a fortune in money, while it will ruin them in
reputation But of their failure the Secretary
| does not believe there is possibility.
These awards have given Mr.. Dobbin a
| great deal Of trouble. With earnest desire
| to do that which is right, and so make his ad-
mnistration Of the Navy Department efficient,
wise and popular,-and with numerous appli-
cants for contracts, each presenting strong
claims TO consideration, and each offering plans
! of engines worthy of trial, it has been no easy
matter TO decide between the bidders. But /
am well satisfied he has acted with great i'm
partiality, and with an eye single to the public
| good; and there are strong reasons for the
| conviction that the results will vindicate his
judgment. Certain it is, that all the contrac.
tors are men Of responsibility; that the respon-
sibility Of success or failure rests imperatiyely
upon their own shoulders, and that the most
thorough spirit Of rivalry exists between them
all. We have now Merrick 4 Son, Of Phila.
delphia, the West Point Foundry, New York;
Pease & Murphy, New York; Anderson d Co.
of Richmond; and ChiefEngineer Martin, Of
the navy, with government machineshop-
all ptted against each other. 1t remains TO be
seen who is to carry of the palm Of victory.