The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-13
New Steamsrs Tor Russia and the UnAtoa
States.
RELIEF FOR DISTRESSED VESSELS ON THE COAST AD-
JAcfNT TO THIS HARBOK DURING THE APrkoAoh-
ING wlNTRR-THR NKw REVENUE STEAMER AND
THE STEAMERS FOR THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
EDITOR OF HERALD.

THE STEAMERS FOR THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT
TO THE EDITOR TIE HERALD
NEw YoRK, Nov. s, 1857
II may be recoccied that the hast session OF Con-
gress bill was passed by nearly unanimous vote ap-
propria,ng the Of one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars (si6o ooo the purpose of procuring by pur
chase Otherwise" suitable TO be used as
cutter and provided by the act of December
1887 carry and relief to distressed merchant
vessels during the rigorous winter months on our coast
The underwriters and merchants Of this and other ports
had for many years made the most strenuous ana urgent
appeals to the Treasury Department to carry into execu
ton this provision Of Congress but the repeated and only
reply was, ''No authority"
Rcpused, but no, discouraged, the underwriters OF
this city made appeal TO Congress during the
winter Of 1885, and through the active aud very
energetic efforts Of the Honorable Guy r. Pcon repre-
sentative from tho city Of New York and member OF
The Committee OF Commerce Of the House. 20 when com
mttce the subject referred, the bill passed the
House at that session by overwhelming vote AZ the last
hour nowh standing the presence on the hoor OF the
Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury ietcr g. Wasnng
who used every in his power 10 secure It's de-
eat and its final passage by the Senate WAS not ELECTED
until tho last sioE through the untrg efforts OF the
Hon stephen X Mallory Senator from Florida. IL is due
10 the aoe Secretary OF the Treasury to state that
The carrying gu, OF the humane designs OF congress was
left to his liberal and enlarged views OF the demands OF
commerce. and il is equally just that the energetic oppos
ton Of hs predecessor to the measure should be made
known. .ocntlemen, said he, 10 those who presented
to him. respectful petition from the merchants
and underwriters of this city, j do not de-
sire to read the petition You want 70 establish
a second Home squadron and il shall not be
plshcd during administration OF the affairs OF this de-
parmcnt but he was informed at the time that the Dill
would and IL did by twohird vote and his power
and limited views wen as narrow minded policy were
defeated being left 10 Mr. Cobb to carry the law into
execution Immediately upon assuming the control OF the
department hc called together the best talent in the coun
Try, engineers and naval consructors-men whose pro-
fessonal abilities nquesoned and whose integrity
beyond suspicion-and 10 them submitted the mo-
dels plans and Specifications presented by some twenty
competitors the construction Of the vessel among
whom were OF the prominent shipwrghts OF the
country. After careful investigation OF several weeks
during which time each competitor was afforded an OPP
plans those OF MIR. VIM H. Webb, of this city, were
selected unanimously. The triumph of Mr. Webb
elected some structures from his disappointed rivals but
in addition to the opinion Of the his selection
has tho endorse Of all the underwriters Of this city in
addition to that OF the principal merchants The vessel
nearly completed and is anticipated Will be ready
for launching about the middle Of the present month
To in the Of this new enterprise
the government particularly to connosseurs
in ship building we recommend visit to Mr.. Webb's
yard The vessel symmetry itself and. the materials
and Workmanship are OF the mos. superior DESCRIPTION
breadth, and 1915 feet hold she Will be provided with
inclined engines cylinders AZ inches diameter and
feet stroke The engines are beng constructed py the
Aaire works and far can be judged from present
progress give promise OF efficiency.
The materials are-Fame, white oak apron. stern post,
ransoms cants and top tmbers, live oak; stanchions,
locust and mast and hatch combisg mahogany.
Her armament viii be one long 32.pounder forward,
-four "a FOUNDER brass howzers and one IL FOUNDER boat
gun II is anticipated that the vessel will be in readiness
upon the discharge Of the aruous and important
duties 10 which she will be assigned during the early part
of the approaching winter and In the event Of her useful
ness beng made manifest IL will be but the inauguration
general system Of relief and protection TO commerce
upon coast during the winter season.
iii the duty Of the government to Afford protection TO
merchant vessels in distant and to tax commerce
for the support OF naval establishment abroad, how
much important it, protection when arriving at the
very threshold of our own hsrbors laden with valuable
and crowded with passengers Much success
| Of
of a commander who has been accustomed 70
informcd thai the underwriters merchants have
mended the present commander OF the cutter wash
ngon Capt Faunce one Of the very few thorough sea.
men left the cutter service We are informed
that the steamer to be called the Harriet Lane
the OF President Buchanan delicate and be-
| coming compliment.
In addition 10 the revenue propeller corvette
Of 10 guns, for the Russian ncnt is under
s.ruecn and the hull i nearly eompe,ea ana ready Tor
beam and IL feet depth OF hold She viii be furnished
| inches and feet stroke 800 horse power.
In her construction the principal pieces are live oak,
and the remainder v hie oak and locust Her armament
will consist Of inch pivot gun at each end and eight
medium 81 FOUNDER slide guns this all the
progress ut this yard and which has advanced so
quietly as TO attract but little outside notice. The keel Of
another propeller 20 gun ship for the Russian govern
has been laid and, Judging from the plans, model
sc, will doubtless be splendid achievement OF naval ar
chi,ccturc. The frames being prepared from i'm
tmbers lying about the yard and anticipated
/ tina, she will be launched IN about one year.
the superintendent OF several Of the most accomplished
and scientific officers u the imperial navy and the infor
nation they Ali acquire upon the subject Of naval arch
will be OF vast importance TO the interests Of the
| government they represent
was during personal visit the Russian capital that
Mr. Webb secured those important contracts, where
outside political influences could be exerted but where
professional merit and his high reputation at home
the only clements Of success. Mr.. Webb has
joyed advantages within the reach Of but few Of his
profession In addition 10 liberal education he had the
benefit OF instruction by his father the late Isaac Webb
htc Anpdp Tho cd
Fckord stood the foremost rank Of naval architects in
this country and the world
Independent % any pecunary interest which hc may
have In the construction OF these vessels no has by tho
preference given 10 him been virtually endorsed by both
the Russian government well az our as the very
first naval architect In this country
| Although -til young man, Mr.. Webb has constructed
about hundred and twenty vessels OF every dscrp
ton among which OF the largest ships end
steamers a the day; and IL worthy of remark md due
10 him state that upon the recent classification 81
sells by the underwriters those Of his construction were
found entitled TO the mark Of extra confidence.
The Camden and Amboy Fracns.