The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-30
RUSSIA.


TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
SzBAsropoL, December Is, 1858.
As many reports have been circulated relative TO the
American enterprise of clearing the harbor Of Sebastopo
the most of them being incorrect beg to state the facts
relative to the position OF the Marine Exploring Con my,
their success and prospects.
entered into contract with the Imperial Russian go.
October 1885, to clear the harbor Of Sebas-
topo from the Ships and vessels that sunk
during the late war; and TO receive compensation
half the property recovered. On my return the
United States, company formed in Pennsylvania to
carry out the enterprise under the title Of the Marine
Exploring Company, duly chartered by the Legislature
Powerful machinery was constructed and employed,
who embarked from the United States under my drec-
on and arrived here in June, 1857. 1t required much
time to construct powerful cassons TO assist in lifting the
sunkcn ships. Our machinery not completed until
June, 1858. On the Sd Of June the first vessel was
raised to the surface Of the waer-the schooner Of
Smelai Of sixteen guns Since that time have raised
the steamer Turk, steamer Groznoi, iron steamer
Danube eighteen guns brig Eneas yacht Parsenne and
cutter Strea. These vessels in excellent condition,
and comparatively sound. The teredo has only pene-
ated the upper works Of the vessels leaving the main
hull quite sound and in good condition The engines OF
the steamers nearly good condition though the
vessels had been the surface Of the water sold tn
steamer Turk the Imperial for 900 silver
roubes and she will be running again in the course of
four months The commission who examined the steame
reported that five per cent Of her would pay the
of putting her In perfect running ORDER and she is
now undergoing repairs at Nicoaif have also sold
the steamer Grozno for 900 silver roubes, at public
auction.
In addition to the above, have removed the 100 gun
ship Catherine, the neof battle ship Sagonv the "a gun
ship Paris, another "a gun ship the Chesma, used for
merly o prison ship; the frgate Kavarna also fri
gate which was formerly used for prison ship the
transport Berezan and the 16 gun schooner Lshtooa
and over one half Of the 100 gun Ship Constantine
have recently had important concessions granted by
the government having just completed the contract by
which they give all the property instead Of onehalf
heretofore-the above arrangement to commence from
the Goth of last June therefore, all vessels and pro-
perty recovered date belong TO the company
We busily engaged In the various branches OF
the work. We have sixty carpenters engaged i'm
caissons under the superntendence Of old Bos
peted early the spring. when shall raise of the
largest ships which estimated to be worth 200 900
there is no possible question We have recently
purchased from Constantinope fine steamtug
boat of fifty horse power, which We ind very useful
The will cost about % 900 silver roubes and
are paid for Our steamer cost 900, and also paid
for. not cent has been drawn from the company
ut home We have a large amount OF property hand
besides the vessels such copper brass $50 OF
ron 200 tons Of wrought ron 200 tons Of rope large
quantities Of lead chains and anchors of all and d
mansions. Thus il will be perceived that the company is
in nourishiDg condition, wish had few good
American engineers to run steam engines, OF which have
eight in constant use.
have contracted to entirely clear the harbor in two
years from this time and the work shall be promptly
done If the Russian government should not purchase
the feet recovered, shall be in good condition to enter
into contract with any respectable government to BON
bard conquer destroy either of the minor Powers
woul1 mind Turkey, Spain, India The ques
ton IS how much is Cleredp Ny fleet will be quite as
Numerous that OF the United States If not affective
There also I'VE 1ne steamers, with copper
boilers that shall take up In the spring The boilers
alone weigh forty two tons each, and worth $3.50
each for old copper. JOHN h. GOWEN.