Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-26
The Paraguay Fleet of Steamers.

1t was recently announced by the govern
ment organ that the Paraguay expedition
will not cost the government a dollar be-
yond the ordinary expenditures OF the De-
partment. except for the purchase oi seven
low priced steamers, much required 10y the
navy, at a cost of $4,000, which has been
sanctioned by Congress"
As to the quality and capacity OF these
..low-priced steamers" u naval officer con-
nected with the Paraguay expedition writes
from Montevideo as follows:
Eighteen men-oi-war of the United States
navy are now at anchor III tins harbor, the
most extraordinary squadron, Ill various re-
spects. that ever sailed under the orders of
the department. From the Sabine down to
the Metacomet we have before our eyes a va
riety of specimens Of naval architecture that
range from the sublime 10 the ridiculous
There are frigates. sloops, steamers, steam
boats, and canal boats, looking each more or
less formidable and more or less beautiful
Our gallant frigate would be an honor TO any
service, as the Metacomet would be disgrace.
1t is a medley of size and proportion such as
! have seldom witnessed. The militia YES
sells sit upon the water, their considerable
hulks dwarfing everything around, but the
most uncouth looking men OF war magma
BILE. There is that canal boat, the Chapln,
looking not quite so badly, but the same tub
as the rest. What II splendid object the
Metacomet is for a fort, with its machinery
80 feet above the deck. and its walking beam
Offering the f~airest shot that could be desired.
Look at the Westernport, Caledonia, ana
Southern Star-three-knot vessels-that had
to struggle with the Panara current with
such desperate efforts. and whose tlmbers
would hy from the effect of an elght-inch
shell, i'm a manner at once lively and un-
pleasant to all on board. | am glad 10 say
that the Metacomet will be condemned.
And vet these are the vessels which, from
last accounts, the Department proposes 10
purchase: vessels that have been condemned
bv their commanders As unfit Tor the service
into which they have been ~callcd-weak, I'M
seaworthv, and incapable of the exlgencles oi
the service. | have already informed YOU
that official reports to that effect have been
sent home; and it is to be hoped that they Will
be treated with properconsideration. mere
is but opinion as to these veS>els-a solemn
protest is pronounced by those who are best
capable of judging in the matter, against
their being introduced into the service.
The accounts of the difficulties and acci-
dents which were cOntended with by these
vessels in the voyage out, would condemn
them in the eyes of any la whose vision
might be clear ON the subject. Fortunately
none of them encountered severe weather.
The clements were propitious. or otherwise
their fate might have been different from
their present good fortune.
Another account Of these steamers Is as '"i-
lows:
The Caledonia's machinery was so rlcketty
that fears was entertained for her safety
The Westernport was also shak.y, and 1t
was believed that a general survey might be
considered necessary before these steamers
could be dispatched from Brazil. AS reported
the result of a survey on the Metacomct de,
monstrated her worthlessness, and she would
be sold at Rio or Montevideo. The machine
ry of the NJ. W. Chaplin Was also found t" be
unfit for sea.