Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-10-15
Navy Yard, Oct. |, 1858.
VV'iVH I0lI' I4Ic q llt lev IsVuI 0IIl VLIII'I
L. S. Steamer Fulton, GOsport !

tCurtcsronl. nee Of the LeWisburs Chfonole.l
q. S. Steamer Fulton, Gosport
Navy Yard, Oct. l, 1858.
In few more days, l expect to be at
sea, bound for Paraguay. With this re-
fl ction uppermost in my mind, and at the
same time remembering that promised
to write you something about our craft
before We sailed, it struck me that | must
make commencement, or my promise
would remain uDperformCd.
The present vessel, bearing the name Of
"Fulton," is the third of this name that
has belonged to the U. s Nary. The first
steam vessel built by our Government for
war purposes, was commenced by Robert
Fulton, in the year 1914 She was called
the "Demologas," or ''Fulton the First"
She made but one trip Of twenty six miles
TO sea, when, being found entirely unfit
for sea service, she was laid up at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard as receiving ship,
until 1929, when she was very mysteriously
blown up killing and Hounding abou. Fifty
persons.
In the year 1898, "Ful,on the Second"
was built. She was made very strong, and
carried very heavy battery, and was cal
culated mainly for harbor defence. This
vessel also was found to be nearly useless
for ocean navigation.
Her existence ended in 1851, when she
was metamorphosed into the present very
efficient craft, "FultOn the Third" The
engine and boilers were entirely new, and
the vessel was completely remodeled and
rebuilt. Her rig is that of fore.topsail
schooner, Of abou. seven hundred tons
burden, although her water displacement
is nearly one thousand tons. The number
Of her officers and men is 124 The arma-
nent is extraordinarily heavy, consisting
of fonr nine inch and one eleven inch guns,
besides two twenty-fOur FOUNDER, boat
howi'zers. She has we'll built, hand.
some and powerful direct acting inclined
engine. The boilers are of the best and
most approved style, being of the multi,
tublar variety, Martins patent. Her re,
putation for speed is world wide, and en-
viable, as she is considered by many to be
the fastest man ot:rar IN the ,corld. 1t is
stated, upon reliable authority, that she
has made twenty miles per hour l fear
her reputation slightly exceeds her abili-
ties, and certainly the old craft will aston
ish me some should l ever see her reel off
twenty knots. Before we are through
with this cruise, may be one of ''com-
mittec" cndeavoIing to make the engine
do its whole duty, at the risk of having a
pile Of old iron slowed away amidshps in
its stead. The Fulton has one bad fault,
that is, she is prone to make submarine
excursions, and it is said that when we
clear the Capcs that we will probably re.
main under water until We put in at St.
Thomas for coal.
1t is expected that we will be flag ship
Of the river squadron, and will ascend the
river La Plata and lis tributaries to As
sumption, the capital of Paraguay, taking
up with US our minister pleuipotentiary,
and endeavor to settle our difficulties am
icably. Should We be unsuccessful, we
nre to return to the mouth of the river, ,and
inform our feet, (of about fifteen saiD Of
the state Of affairs Then it is expected a
rough and tumble fgh, will cnsue.
That one thousand mile jaunt up the
great South American rivers, is fraught
With Interest; aud should we have to fight
Our way up On our second ascent, Interest.
and danger vii! be blended so Intimately
ss to give US plenty of subjects for medi.
tasion. hope that our expedition may
be successful, without the shedding of
blood, and that this demonstration NAV
assist in teaching the weak but insolent
powers Of the earth that there is lust
limit to forbearAnce. The government
has chartered five merchant steamers fo,
she expedition.
Allow me here to bid my many Lewis
burg frienps farewell, and at the same time
70 assure them that am mos, comfortably
Aea IN my new quarters, and enjoying
' .es' Of health and spirits. May Time
' 'Is@ al! gently, and may we all have
lie fiea''Eo Of meeting SOON again
loGss truly T.