Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-01
The stone Fleet Obstruction of Rebel
HRrbOrs.

Our readers have already heard Of the stone
feet, as 1t is called, which has been purchased
by the Government for The obstruction of South
ern harbors. The New Bedford, Mass, Meycu,
~, thus describes that portion of the feet
which was purchased at that place:
Toe feet which sailed from this port on the
morning Of the 20 instant, consisted Of sixteen
vessels The crews consisted Of fourteen men
each, except the South America, which carried
sixteen. The cost OF these ships to the Gov
eminent Was about ten dollars per ton. Some
of them were worth double that sum per ton,
and all would have brought more than that II
they had been broken up. Here, at least, the
Department has got full value for the money IL
has expended, and In the ftment Of the vessels
the Government has had the benefit of the
supervision Of some Of our most experienced
shlpoWners.
The destination Of this Heet is matter about
which the public has the largest liberty to spec
ulate. Whether the i've thousand tons Of stone
are to be used to iner ease the base Of the Rip
Raps, or whether the ancient catapult Is to be
brought Into use, and the stones are to be pro-
jected, or whether they are taken South for the
armlng Of the slaves, or whether they are 10 be
nah, we are not informed. The fact, that ai
light water mark in each vessel hole has been
bored, into which lead pipe has been inserted,
the ends carefully nailed down on either side Of
the vessel, plug driven In from the outside
and another from within, and both secured by o
rod passing through them, and fastened within
BY nut and screw, fayors the sinking hypothe-
sis; and the additional fact that, ct the last mo.
ment, an old sea.captain suggested putting two
Pinch augers on board each ship, makes Il Ylo.
lently probable that these sixteen whalers are
TO be put to the inglorious use Of stopping rat
holes.
( In due time we shall hear the result Of this
novel expedition. II has been admirably man.
aged 10 les inception, the ehips are In charge Of
experienced navigators familiar with the South.
ern coast, and the orders Of the Department,
whatever they are, will be executed 70 the let.
ter. We have large faith in the enterprise
and as It is an exceedingly pacific mode Of car.
rying on the war, all our citizens will join In
wishingit success.
Another stone feet Is fitting out, to consist
Of twenty-five vessels, which will be roady to
SSH In few days
OF the "effectiyeness'' Of such stone block,
ade there can be no doubt. The main ahiI
channel leading to Savannah is but two hund.
red aud fifty yards across In the narrowest place
and can be perfectly barred by half dozen ol
these vessels. Charleston harbor is equally el.
igible to the same treatment Once sunk, these
old hulks become points for the accumulation
of alluvials, which the rivers bear down, and Of
the sands which the tides carry back. There
is natural tendency in such ports to form OBJ.
structions, and all we have to do ia, as the ply
sicians say, to fascist nature" Becoming
thoroughly imbedded In the sand, these accumu.
lAtlons but advance with time, forming uncon
querable obstacles to reopening the harbors, and
establishing o blockade which the highest
pressure diplomacy Of the world will be utterly
powerless to "raise."