Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-11-30
EVENING STAR.
The U. 8. Steam frigate Minnesota.

In few days this magnificent ship-the
ehef 3'oHuys Of our navy yard mechanics, and
o proud emblem Of our growing national power
ard grcatnes1-wi leap from the huge cradle
of her BIRTH and be clasped by the bright wa.
ters Of our own beautiful Potomac Striking
ly grand and symmetrical in general outline,
the peculiar features of the Minnesota unfold,
at every glance, to the wondering eye of the
lbeholder, the splendid triumphs which me-
ohanical genius and skill can accomplish,
when sided by the steady lights Of science and
experience. We will not say that 50 substan-
tial, graceful, or superb ship has not bson
built since Noah, the 6rst ship builder, went
forth in the venerable ark upon the world.
wide waters Of the deluge but we think we
may safely assert that the Minnesota will
successfully rival, il she do not excel, any of
her Eve sisters in solidity and beauty Of finish,
IN steam and sailing qualities, and in general
adaptation to the requirements of the service.
From keel to spar deck, and from knighthead
70 taffrail, she presents q combination Of
strength and elegance, filing the mind of the
observer with wonder and delight One stands
amazed when contemplating her gigantic pro-
portions, her massive timbers, her immense
wooden walls, and is enraptured with the
graceful aspect pervading the whole.
The Minnesota was designed by the accom-
plished chief OF the bureau Of construction,
equipment and repair, John Lenthall, Esq y
and was built under the constant and un-
wearied daily supervision of naval constructor
5. NJ. Pook, q gentleman standing in the front
rank Of his profession. But, above and be-
fore all, the country is indebted to the present
enlightened head Of the Navy Department.,
Hon. j. G. Dobbin-whose suggestions were
warmly espoused by President Pierce for the
zeal and ability with which he pressed upon
the attention of Congress the necessity of in
creasing the number Of our national vessels
thus securing six new splendors with which
to deck the ocean, in attestation Of the might
and glory of the free; besides procuring the
completion Of two others (the Santes and Sa-
binel that had fingered for years in an unfin-
ished state, and adding them to the effective
force OF our gallant and growing Navy.
As many hundreds have already visited the
Minnesota, and as some thousands will no
doubt be attracted to the navy yard and vici-
nifty to witness the launch-thus showing the
lively interest which the public take in the
matter-we have thought it appropriate to
give, for the information Of our readers, q
detailed, though necessarily imperfect, de-
scriptiOn Of this splendid specimen of naval
architecture.
Then, to "begin al the beginning" we have
to remark that the keel Of the Minnesota is
261 feet % inches in length, and is sided 49,
inches, moulded clear of rabbit, Is inches at
the fore end, and feet 6 inches at the aft
end, with nhOe 81 inches thick. The keel
is composed Of two thioknesses Of white oak,
the upper piece l6 inches, the lower IA inches
at forward, and "a inches at aft end There
are LIZ pieces Of timber In the keel, the scarfs
of zach piece being 8 feet long, dowelled and
boltod together. The keel, stem, and stern
post are built ten inches inside Of the ship.
The breadth of the stern post in the wake of
the propeller, about : feet above the keel is
sided 30 inches, tapered to I8t inches at the
keel, and to "A inches at a point 20 feet above
the keel, running to the spar deck at the last
mentioned size. Abaft the stern post is = white
OAK rudder POST, 20 inches moulded at the
heel, and "a inches at the head. The space
mine feet between the stern and rudder posts
is allotted for the propeller and hosting appa-
ratus. The well q feet wide and feet fore
and aft) is continued through the several decks
The propeller is fitted to u heavy composition
frame, and can be raised and lowered with
great facility. But Of this hereafter, when
we come to write Of the machinery.
The keelson is made of live oak plank, 6
inches thick and Of Ave thicknesscs, dowslled
with lignumvitss eogues, and is 200 feet in
length. There are four other white and live
oak keelsons, two on each side Of the main
u,
10 to "A inches deep, bolted through each tim
Der and cardboard Qo inches thick with II inch
copper bolts aad clinched. The main kselsou
ID boited through each floor timber with two Il
inch copper bolts, clinohed on the under side
Of the keel
The imm snse frame isoflive oak, sided IL and
Ia inches, and is filed in solid and caulked as
high as the head Of first futtock 1t is also
cross strapped with iron braces, At inches by
inches, set diagonally, being double, and
crossing each other at right angles-one set
being inserted in the frame and the other ia
the clamps, bilgs streaks, re. This bracing
is continued fore and aft the ship, being bOlted
to each timber and each crossing, With II
inch iron bolts. Above the water line, these
bolts an driven entirely through the timbers,
braces and clamps. and clinched on the clamps,
spirkettng, &C.
The spar deck is 2S4 feet 10, inches in length;
the gun deck 80 feet 6 inches. The length
at rail is $50 feet 81 inches, and the projection
OF the cut-water 30 feet, making the extreme
length from figure head IAN eagle with opening
wingsl to taffrail 306 feet " inches The SPAR
deck beams side l6 inches, mould Is inches,
and are secured by large hanging and dagger
knees, fastened by II inch iron bolts on the
outside, and ciinched on the inside. The
deck plank is At inches thick, except before
the foremast and abaft the mizenmast. At
these points it is much thicker, being logged
over the beams, and is designed to bear the
two heavy l0-inch pivot guns, weighing, with
out carriages, about IL, 600 lbs. each. The
port silis are foot inches above the deck
the ports 3 feet above the sills. On the
spar deck are two large capstans, which, when
keyed, work with two similar capstans on the
main or gun deck. The armament of the spar
deck will consist of the two 10 inch shell guns
above alluded to, and fourteen S-inch shell
guns, weighing about 1000 pounds each. On
this deck there are twelve hatchways, fitted
with white ash gratings. This number of hatch
ways affords every facility for throwing on
the spar deck, at a moments warning, large
body Of men, besides answering for the pur-
poses Of ventilation, &c. The appearance of
this deck is extremely magnificent and beau.
tifnl, the shear of the rail being strikinsly
graceful.
On the gun deck there are forty ports, but
the armament on this deck will be only TWEEN
ty-four 9.ineh she'll guns, weighing about 9, 900
lbs. each. The port sills are 20 inches above
deck. These ports are a inches fore and aft
and SS inches high. The space between decks
- H., L Il txos