Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-01-15
Rates of Advertising.
The New Steam Battery.

The great iron war steamer, which is now in
construction at Hobcken for the government, be-
ing an object of much interest. we have been at
considerable pains to collect reliable information
in regard to her, principally through the medium
OF our Washington correspondents; and, as it diff
fers very materially from the statements recent.
y made N various quarters, we give it to our
readers.
In 1912, the late Mr.. Robert L. Stevens first
preached to the government the subject of harbor
defence by means ofsteam batteries ofiron, which
should be shot and shell proof, and in ls43, Con-
gress, by special act, directed that the Navy
Department should contract with him for such
vessel. In 1874, a contract was accordingly made
with him by Mr.. Mason, then Secretary of the
Navy, under which Mr.. Stevens commenced col
lecting materials and constructing the dry doc
in which The vessel is now building.
Mr. Stevens bound himself by his contract 70
construct war steamer suitable for use in the
waters of the New York harbor. from Sandy
Hook upward. TWAS stipulated that she SHOULD
be built of iron, that she should be shot and she'll
proof against ordnance then in use on ships.of.
war, that she should have four engines, AMI be
propelled by submerged propeller, W hich should
give great speed.
Her dimensions were to be not less than two
hundred and fifty feet in length and forty feet
beam, and her cost, complete including an ar
mament of not less than six heavy guns, was not
to exceed 1851 900.
For the faithful fulfillment of this contract, the
government required and received from Mr. Ste
uens ample security, and it was further stipula-
lated that payments should be made to him as
he proceeded with the construction, up to $500.
900, and the remaining $s7, 900 when the ship
was completed and received. Mr. Stevens en-.
countered many difficulties in making his ar.
rangements, and it was not until July, 1854 that
the actual construction was commenced. Mean
tme.he had decided after more fully studying the
sub ect to inceras the dimensions Of the vessel We.
ry much. Instead of length of $50 feet she is
nearly 400 feet long and her other dimensions are
increased in proportion. Instead of four engines
and one propeller, she has eight engines and two
propellsrs. Her boilers are ten in number, Of
large dimensions, and her power will be nearly
equal to nine thousand horses. The vessel is in
very advanced state, and the machinery and
boilers and dependencies are all complete. Ow-
ing to her greatly increased dimensions beyond
those stipulated for in the contract, the cost vii,
be much increased, but how much we are unable
to state The payments by the government can
not exceed $500,000 until the vessel is delivered
and received, unless Congress should make fur
ther appropriations
Since the construction was commenced, the
origina! protector, Robert L. Stevens, has died,
but it is stated that his brother, f. A. Stevens,
Esq, is determined to complete the vessel-that
good force is now at work under the same gen.
eral supervision which has been employed from
the commencement, Mr.. S. prosecuting The work
from his own resources, we are told, in the full.
est confidence that the ship will in all respects
meet public expectation, and that Congress will
not suffer him to sustain any loss.-N. Y. Trib ..
uRe.