The weekly Butte record., 1858-12-18
San Francisco a Ship Building Depot.

{ from
the Emperor to have steam gun-boat con-
structed IN California for the use of the Rus
sian Government on the Coast of Eastern Asia
The Captain has since that time been engaged
IN making examinations of the different kinds
oi wood produced in this country with the
view OF ascertaining whether that now used
Tor ship building purposes would answer the
desired purpose. The oak and laurel, now
principally adopted by ship builders, has an
| swered very well for small vessels and inland
steamboats,, for which the usually small dimen-
/ sions of the wood seemed 10 meet every re-
/ qulrement. bat whether that material would
apply to as large vessel as a gun-boat which
Is to be of the size Of those used in the Sea of
Azof, by the English, in the late war, another
question
The Russian Government has ordered that
the vessel shall be ready to leave California
by July next, and to be in the Amoor River
by August, This demands the utmost dis
patch and the difficulty of the task is shown
by the fact that the timber for the vessel has
yet to be cut from the woods. The chief
trouble, however, is that the timber, after be-
ing cut and conveyed to the Navy Yard, at
Mare Island, requires to be seasoned before
being put into the hull Of the gun boat
The question thus arises whether in the
stated period, any wood can be made ready for
the prescribed purpose, and whether, in fine
the Two classes OF timber now used-laurel or
oak-can be seasoned in that space of time
Any "Old Californian" who may be well in
formed on these matters Will confer favor by
addressing to this journal their views on the
subject, as we'll as to what are the most dura-
bic woods used for mechanical purposes in this
State. Captain Davidetf has, We believe, in
structions to apply elsewhere to have the YES
sci built, in case California does not offer the
requisite natural facilities The mechanical
portion, he thinks, could not be excelled any
where in the world. As an officer OF exper-
ience in naval construction. he expresses the
highest opinion Of the work he has seen, not
only at the Navy II ard, at Mare Island, bat
at the private ship yards in San Francisco.
AT this time when our own Government is
having war steamer built at the public works,
it would be double honor to the growing me-
chanical genius Of our young State II Cailor-
MA could enjoy the honor Of turning out the
first vessel for foreign service On the Pacific.
For this reason. we believe that any persons
having reliable information on the subjects
above referred to will not hesitate to comuu-
nicate them. New York has Just completed
the largest wooden vessel in the world for the
Russian Government, 1.-THE "Grand Admiral" y; ;
perhaps as that great power increases her
commercial operations IN the AmOor country,
she may often become a customer Of our me-
| chanical works. We should, in this connec-
| ton, add that we were in error on Wednesday
in stating that the contract for the machinery
of the new war steamer about being set up at
Mare Island had been given 10 the Pacific
Foundry of this city. Several firms were bid
ders Tor the work, but the prices were so large
y over that of New York foundries that Com.
I Cunningham deemed it expedient, before clos
ing with any to write to Washington for in
structions The lowest bid was not much un-
der seventy thousand dollars.
1t is a matter of great Importance to show,
by incontestibe evidence, that California has
within herself, not only the mechanical skill
for the construction Of naval ships, but the ma
terial Of which to build them. Eventually we
must maintain Pacific feet for the protec-
ton Of American commerce on this great
ocean. Those ships should never leave the
Pacific. and should be built in California, and
of California materials. T. Tunes, Dec 3D.
B@TTo see the effects Of ones surroundings,
says the Philadelphia Gazette, lcok at the re-
presentatives Of the central aowery and, who
sells segars on the side walk, near the custom
house. The name Of this exotic is Hang
Whang. Mr.. Hang Whang has been in the
segar trade and the model republic about fopr
weeks He made his debut with his unmen-
tionables nearest his skin, and his shirt outside
the latest style current at hong Kong y
week afterwards he laid aside Chinese trousers
and took to Market street pants. The next
week he left off his blue frock, and came out
in dress coat-the tail starched SO stiff that
you might use it for boot jack. The next
change was to purchase Warburton hat, and
to convert lis former one into a portable
money drawer. We yesterday found him en-
tirely transmogriged into -Ceestial-his
Chinese boots traded Off for brogans and his
pig-tail braided up behind his ears like last
years birds nest. Yesterday evening we heard
him indulging in profanity. If all this don't
go to show the advantages of civilization, then
what does?
Tn Dr-ur n ~ (frrr~,ro In =, roeor4 ,,,-r,