The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-06
Naval Poaicy-rhe Adaptation Of steam to
the Purposes OF War aud Naval Gunnery.
TO THK EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

TO THk EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Newspaper columns have Of late years been aned with
articles urging the introduction Of steam on a more
svs scale into navy and many writers VINO have
uenced TO considerable extent public opinion through
out the country have written with extremely limited
knowledge Of the subject upon which they pretended
treat
Much has been said In depreciation OF the ubs which
the government have anoat to represent armed
rne, and still in fuome praise Of the clipper sh
and packet steamers which their existence private
enterprise The question Of the superiority of clipper
over other merchant ships either in respect to the safety
OF their passengers in economical point of view Is
foreign To the subject which have undertaken to dis
cuss but We express the opinion that neither in
their models they adapted to bear the
weight OF battery to endure cannonade, which in
many cases determines the result OF a naval action
In estimating the adapabty Of clipper other mer
chant chips for purposes Of war the fact is seldom
considered that the cargo Of vessel OF burden remains
nearly the amount during passage from port 70
port while the of the hold Of vessel of war are
continually and rapidly diminishing her battery when
Is above the centre Of gravity and motion remaining
meanwhile constant quantity.
Neither the superiority OF sailing in clipper chips over
men-of war marked has been generally repre-
seued Its true that many OF them have made remark
able passages but generally at sacrifice of capital and
great risk Of life The mania for quick passages has
obliged clipper captains press their vessels, and the
owners anA underwriters not unacquanted with the
sacrifices whssh made TO secure temporary eclat
In several Instances clipper ships have been beaten by
our Ordinary sailing vessels Of war, but officers sell
dom publish such advantages, and merchant captains do
no, chronicle their defeats the public at large remain
dor the impression that no ship OF any preten
sions is 90 slow as a vessel of war.
The experiment Of removing the battery OF vessel OF
triad during he
jamestown was Ireland with the donations Of
liberal public the sSlfa merchant captain who had
been selected command her returned with the impress
she the fastest vessel at that time in the
world With her armament Oh board she is good saier
and most efficient man of war but certain that trans
ferripg the weight Of her battery her hold would i'm
prove her speed or tina; Of any other vessel.
This difference would be the more observable when
the consumption OF provisions and water during long
cruise has destroyed the equilibrium between the weight
on deck and that in the hold.
Next in order we will treat briefly the mecantle
steam marine adapted the purposes Of war, sub
ject upon which much eoquencc has been expended in
Congress and much ink in editorials and communca
tons for the newspaper
few years ago, contracts were entered into by the
government for the transportation Of the mails between
Panama and san Francisco New York and Liverpool,
and between the former city chagres Large sums
were pad-in some portion being advanced-os-
tensbly for payment OF mail transportation but IN reality
q subsidy for the contractors.
In each Of the cases alluded to the government held
the right receive these vessels into the service in tho
event o. war, while line Obliged to receive as
commanders officers the navy and another TO receive
four passed midshpmen each sci watch officers,
The object which the government had in view IN provi
ding for the reception Of their officers was 70 give them
facilities obtaining practical knowledge Of steamers
but In the course Of tune means were discover
were withdrawn from ali except two vessels.
some who bad become accustomed TO the service
resigned their COMMISSIONS and the government,
instead o. obtaining for the navy men familiar WITH
steamer Lost some OF the most promising young officers,
who could not resist the superior ndncenen Of an nde
pendent command with a salary suihclent 70 support
their families in comfort to the subordinate position and
small pay OF lieutenant in the naval service The
steamers thrs subsidized not adapted for varAe
purposes and the system introduced WAS the most ex
pensye which could have been devised as y involved
large pay for indefinite term Of years for the
privilege Of purchasing hiring iheso steamers q,
enormous price during var.
In Which event our packet steamers would naturally
idle al their wharyesi unless employed by the govern
mept
Not being t'iearned Ia the Law will discuss
that constitutional provision Congress shall grant
uonorclcs which u certainly appears % have done BY
substituting certain lines. ana thus preventing compet-
ton bet will merely call attention 70 the enormous sums
which gland has paid during the present war 10 the
mail steamers which III. has 80 literally supported when
she had them for the transport OF troops
transport and q has heretofore
been confidently predicted by the adherents q mail
steamship lines. The fact however, that Eng ai i -
well provided with steamers Of war prevents thl. ar
gumeni from having lis que Weighs - Appued " other
countries
Notwithstanding all We hear ana read o. the gil
asd sdity u our steam packets there is marked di
ference their construction md that X steamer o.
var, any assure hiayelf b. watching the
building of each. One osly intended u bear her en-.
gno Goa am cargo, al buried "a her hold, waie the
other, IN addition 10 tbs weight has her Ton ferrous bat
terry always elevated above the centre IT gravity a.
ways important elemsnt-aad especially 80, a. con
sumption Of coal provisions and water Increases IN
e-omc,rica ratio is eject upoa tho ship.
The PACKET steamer y huilt WITH strength ~ hmbers
and psnkiug surlceu 10 fc-s, The action u tho
while 10 addition the steamer, IN common With other
ses Of war u expected 70 endure The weight ~ can
nonade 70 have power n rcsililpce y the batering
power a her envy i- ability e. bear baiiering = an
important consideration. which has IN many Instances
decided battles bat will be hereafter, ess in
portant to side wheel s~srnar than In pr0resrs and
sailing vessels owing 10 their lnherent weakness.
The slight beams, carLGes sne decks d the PACKET
sbames not adsp'ed q Oear the eight o. heavy
gyms, ard even when strengthened for tat purposc al
9fest expense q time AMI money, Defective stan Of
war would oe nc remit a. yeses n eled y carry az
the weigh; below cannot be afagtc % carry large pro
portion on deck unless some grave mistake " made .
Their construction.
Ovnx ~ Tie greater speed heretofore a;;aact b. sis
wheel steamer over pepr,ers they have been almost
Invariably employ d a. NAL packets MI ior we tIaas
epoftauon passenger The experience ~ maritime M
ton La proved conelsveiv tat siie wh, stea
Hsta,n ard Franre win eis IL hose rxpensv e vc.sc
CO hand have aieuccd u mnus tesr sy-em aua =
troducc prcpriers Instead A. Gi.- article may snd =
way into tie ksndf ~ ~ Who Will ~ a. ei-tai o.
appreciate lie motive N us exFeusifc m9diheston ge
VII atie~ft briefly H. explain
Tho boiler xhesls al m cb az tue machinery q ;
Side wheel stcsucr EXPOSED q tAe elects " shot
which g1ysd Instantly disable them W %. ease Of a
eht striking o boiler the consealener wpu. ~ q a.
troas a. explosion If team v34d Pc steers f& -
damage AMI disability. Ne not = ths Yeeat &c
parcd state The 1tt - vital en-tae ca e ~ tac
eject Hhot board s.a Wheal 81 lHef. ht b. ve
that y all avcraec mere than oue tg4fih h.r lessth
Tie masts an rrddor = sailing vessel aFe nni n street
ncss vital points eyea NJ sea they ca1 be sui
sttuted VI ~ emergency TIE propeller en-
ioys nearly DE Same fumuu y, her funnel ard
faise st..rn post br0R the cniy addiU0ral 81 ad
roints the boiler. machinery ard scr~v being below ~
surface e me pafr side Wheel ste4uel f4s
81 Cor sailing IN paddle AMI AZ being uattf-
DRAG the water and H. alto nl r ant, he two neaus
a twopul.iou has never BEEN clearly successful. y n
tempting combBaiuH ~ The two motive powers, the
advantages Of each must be greatly diminished. The
wheels Of . steamer must rctari ves9c while under
sail and the other hand masts and Far Z opprtQua ate
T. the 81 vessel must Impede steamer very much