Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1857-01-14
(From the N. Y. Tribune.)
The Monster Steam Battery for the De-
fence of n. u. HarhOr.

fence of N. u. IIarbOr.
TIE great iron war steamer, which is now
in construction at Hoboken for the Govern
ment, being an object of much interest, we
have been at considerable pains to collect re-
liable information in regard to her, principally
through the medium of our Washington cor
respondents; aud US it differs very materially
from the statements recently made in 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 of steam batteries OF
iron, which should be shot and shell proof, and
in 1913 Congress, 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 collecting materials and
constructing the dry dock in which the vessel
is now building.
Mr.. Stevens bound himself by this contract
to construct a war steamer suitable for use in
the waters of New York, from Sandy Hook
upward. 1t was stipulated that she should be
built of iron, that she should be shot and shell
proof against ordnance then in use on ships of
war; that she should have four engines, and
be propelled by a submerged propeller, which
should have great speed.
Her dimensions were to be not less than two
hundred aud 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 five hundred and eighty-seven
thousand dollars.
For the further fulfilment Of this contract,
the Government required and received from
Mr.. Stevens ample security, as it was further
stipulated that payments should be made TO
him as he proceeded with the construction, mp
to 100000, and that the remaining $87 900
should be paid when the ship was completed
and received.
Mr.. Stevens encountered many difficulties
in making his preliminary arrangements, and
it was not until July, 1854, that the actual
construction was commenced. Meantime lie
had decided, after more fully studying the subs
iect to increase the dimensions of the vessel
very much. Instead of four engines and one
propeller, she has eight engines and two pro-
pelers. Her boilers are ten in number, of large
dimensions, and her power will be nearly e.
quail to nine thousand horses The vessel is in
a very advanced state, and the machinery,
boilers and dependencies, are sill complete and
10 place.
Owing to her greatly increased dimensions
beyond those stipulated for in the contract, the
cost will be much increased bat how much we
are not able to state. The payments by the
Government cannot exceed $500, 600 until the
vessel is delivered and received, unless Con-
gress should make further appropriations.
Since the construction was commenced, the
original protector, Mr.. Robt. L. Ste.ens has
died, but it Is stated that his brother, L. a.
Stevens, Esq, is determined to complete the
vessel-that a good force is now at work, I'M
der the same general supervision which has
been employed from the commencement. Mr..
S. is prosecuting the work from his own resour-
ces, we are told, in the fullest confidence that
the ship will in all respects meet public expec-
tation, and that Congress viii not suffer him to
sustain any loss.