The national Republican., 1861-08-09
Proposals for Side. Wheel Steamers.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION,
Washington, august g, 1885,


Washington, August 8, 1851.
IN CONFORMITY with the act of Congress ep-
L proved the Sd August, 1856 the Navy Depart
ment will receive proposals for the construct Oh
and equipment of twelve Side Wheel s Gamers.
The load draft of water not to exceed six feet
nine inches; to be armed with two rfed guns,
of 1000 lbs. each, at each end of the We sci;
also, with two l2-pounder howitzers the COM
plement to be one hundred persons, with provi-
sions for sixty day s. to have two thousand gallons
of water i, tanks and to be provided with q
condenser for distil ing potable water. To be
schooner. rigged, and have a rudder at each end,
properly protected by post.
The Department desires to have the highest
attainable speed, which must be stated In the
offer, together with The length Of time it can be
maintained, and the quantity of coal that can be
carried in the bunkers for that speed, which
should not be less than for eight days.
The proposal must be for the hull, spars, rigg-
ing, sails, and canvass work, boats anchors, and
cables, tanks, casks, furniture, cooking apparatus
and utensils, steam machinery and spare work,
with all the equipments for vessel Of war COM
pleted and ready in all respects f r sea tervice,
and ready to receive her officers, men, armament,
stores, provisions, and fuel for steam machinery.
The armsmen', stores, provisions, and fuel
will be furnished by the Government.
The specific atoms must fully describe the ma
ing, the detail of the size material finish, k nd,
and arrangement ofmachinery, and fthe various
equipments included in the proposal.
The plans must Re working drawings, from
| which the vessel and machinery can be built,
showing the allotments of space for accommo-
dations, store-room', magazine, and shell-rooms,
disposition u the COAL &c.
The boilers aud engines to be below the deck
the nain shaft may be above the boiler press
90 hall han htrfv ,do H.,
and surface condenser to be used the paddle
wheel to be overhung
Upon application to the Csmmandant of any
| navy yard the bidder can see the list of equip
ments required for the propeller gun-boats, to
which, as far as practicable, these ere to conform,
and for which convenient stowage il to be pro-
vided.
The bidders will state the least time within
| which they will agree to complete the vessel for
sea and deliver her at such navy yard as they
may name, without extra cost to the Government.
1t must likewise be stated in the oher the total
amount for which they will engage to do all that
is required above and embraced in their speciica-
tions AID plans; and the bid must be accom-
| panied by names of guarantors that if awarded
| they will execute the contract.
The usual conditions of Government contracts
will be observed. Payments to be made at four
different intervals, as the work progresses, retain
ing one fifth Of the whole amount for ninety days
after the delivery Of the vessel to repair any de-
fects that may be discovered within that time in
trial at II is understood that in the contract
guarantee will be inserted of the fuflmcnt of
the condition Of speej, i,el satisfactory working
of the machinery &C., wiz forfeiture in case
| OF failure.
The reputston If bidders as succ, ssful steam
ship builders will have due weight an1 the pro-
posal must state the name of the marinn steam
engine building establishment at which ,hcy in
| tend the steam machinery to be made.
The Department reserves the right to accept
the propositions made in conformity with the
conditions prescribed which shall be considered
| most 10 the interest of the Government and COM
bne the greatest number of advantages and to
reject any or all of them, at its option.
The specifications and plans of parties not Oh
tanning the contract can be withdrawn by them.
The Der lsrtment will not consider itself under
obligations to receive proposals after the 9th of
| September, 1861.
| aug 9-law 4w