The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-23
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UNNxD STATES STEAMER BRooKLYx,
OLE PAS Il0urRE Auanai @ 1851

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OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UsHxD STATES STEAMER BRooKIn,
OFF Pass DOURE, August Q, 1861.
ne Routine Bss'ses Of Block0ding Vessel-7he Expect
cd attacks on the Brookays-Tse Floating Baaoy-7ne
! Amsiay Of the SoaAe,mes 10 DESTROY the Brooklyn
Scarcity Of Provisions in Neo Orleans-Fhe South Caro-
lina-A6airs at Font Piokem and Santa Rosa-NaSS1
Expedition Against the Rebels, &C., dc.
We are busted excessively at this uncture in over
hauling and subectng to the necessary examination the
numerous vessels that daily make this place. designing
and hoping to enter the port Of New Orleans Alarms by
night and chasing sails by day now to be the usual
routine, and, consequently, give us an noalculablo
amount OF work. and keeps the entire ships company in
state OF constant excitement
We have been expecting for time past that most
formidable demonstration would against gal
liant craft by the ponderous steam battcrng float
Ing battery which has been in the course of consruc
ton for several weeks at New Orleans murderous
crew. The greatest and attention have given to
the mnutest detail throughout It's entire erection and
the best of engineering skill called to the aid of the
authorities at the moment of its conception. The build
ers of this floating battery selected suitable founda
ton upon which 70 erect her the hull of old propeller
towboat Enoch Train, very well known in New York and
BOSTON, she has been covered with massive beams
twenty inches in thickness and arranged in such
ner as to make her bow solid mass some twenty-five
feet thick. Upon the top of this almost impenetrabe
covering has been placed complete layer of railroad
iron, fitted and riveted together with such nicely as to
render her bombproof and further she will be supplied
with battery Of the most improved description and
formidable character and tho balance Of her equipment
will be in keeping with it.
That you may form a correct idea Of the size and
character Of this craft the period Of her completion
herewith append the full and particulars of the
hull and machinery Of the Enoch Train prior TO her altra
ton Length on deck, 12s feet inches; breadth of
beam at mdshp section 20 feet depth Of hold IL feet
inches depth Of hold TO spar deck 10 feet draft of
water at load line, IL feet 800 burhen Her frame
was built Of white oak, hacmatac &c. cross fastened
with iron and reenais Her floors were moulded thir-
teen inches sided eight inches, and her frames were
twenty inches apart centre She is lifted with
an inclined engine, with two cylinders thrtysx inches
in diameter and stroke of piston Of thrtywo inches
Sho was also supplied with Two return ue boilers Her
hull was constructed in Boston in 1865 by Messrs j. O.
Curtis Co. Her machinery from the well known
foundry of Messrs. Harrison Lorng Il Co. same city,
So sangune the leading secessonsts in New Or.
leans that this floating battery will eventually demoish
us, they have publicly expressed to listening crowds
in the streets Of that city that they will soon
have the infinite qualification Of having our officers
IN their hands with the Of Furnishing them they
deem best Even prior to the contemplation construct
ing this batterng several of the wealthy and
influential in New Orleans subscribed the amount of
ana offered II 10 any party who would succeed
III blowing up this vessel destroying in any manner
whatever, so long the dabolica successfully
committed Thus you will obtain insight into OF
the endsh plans projected for destruction But not
wtsandng all this, neither the officers nor our gallant
crew frightened in the least but on the contrary hope
that the scheme our total will assume tan
gb form as soon as possble and then may God protect
then our dogs OF war; will speed to certain death
their storm of deadly implements We, too may find a
watery grave, but it will be in noble cause.
The latest news from the city of New Orleans CONVEYS
to us the Intelligence that food and provisions Of every
character are enormously high. Many families of the
poorer class OF the community are suffering terribly be-
cause of this; and what seems worse, there is not the
least prospect of better times for them.
The priz we have taken while here have all been sent
to Key West where there is court in session. and as
soon as vessel captured by menorwar arrives in
that port her is disposed Of Our prizes have been
several in number, and their total value will amount to
very large sum- will be enabled long to give you
full particulars in this respect.
We have tast received most excellent news from
the United states steamer South Carolina, stationed OF
Galveston by the energy Of her commander and other
officers she has succeeded in completely breaking up the
neiarious communication of the rebels between the
prominent towns the ssaboard NJ Texas the city
OF New Orleans. During the short period she has been
upon that station she has captured prizes some six
teen vessels many OF them being valuable ones and
containing such cargoes the disuncniss needed Their
capture and conlscation are of vast benefit 20
The south Carolina Is most excellent vessel in every
respect; is fest, well differed, and contains crew OF
III men, who will die for the cause under which thev
have enrolled themselves. have been so fortunate as
10 obtain the correct particulars Of the dimensions of the
hull and machinery Of this admirable gunboat and I
deem them Of sufficient interest to annex them They
are foows-Iengh deck 2l0 feet breadth Of
beam at midshp section, "a feet depth Of hold II feet
when loaded Is feet inches. Her frame is Of wrought
iron Plates onehaf to threequarteIs of an inch In
thickness and fastened with rivets treequaes of an
inch in diameter every two and one eighth inches She
is put together in the strongest possible manner and
braccd IN every part Of her. She is fitted with vertical
direct engines, with cylinder Of four inches in
diameter, and stroke OF piston Of three feet eight
inches. She has tubular boiler, and her propeller is
cast iron Her tonnage is $50 tons She was built in
b Fton, in 1860 by Seesrs. Harrison, Ioring & Co.
The United States steamer Massachusetts. now living
here in company with the Brockyn, and doing such ex
A1lay,tc Is Cict oh,
They were originally intended for the route between Bos
ol and Charleston, and owned by the D1ston and
Southern Steamship COMPANY
The last authentic particulars have from Pensacola
convey the impression that much dissatisfaction exists
among the troops under General Braxtcn Bragg They
are leaving daily in large numbers, aud the OF r
that they have received money, have provisions
suitable for soldiers and that the ioathsoe disease vel
low fever has broken their ranks and los,ned Their
numbers AT Fsrt Pcens ard Santa Rosa Island every
Thug is in perfect state of preparation for both often
sve and defensive operations. ann not vt liberty
write much in this connection; bat from my own ohser-
walton am confident these forts reduce Pensacola
whenever they wish 10. and if an attack is rado upon
that town by combined forces there my predic
ton is verified Contrabands from Pensacola and tho
surrounding country are dairy arriving at the Union
WORKS near there.
II is expected that the United States soop.ovar Rich
mond will relieve Us at this place Of the mach-
merry 81 vessel sadly needs repairing. If this IS so
the Rro0klyn upon her arrival, will proceed to for
midabe rebel battery in this region situated in such a
manner as to interfere with blDCkadag steamers
&c, and will endeavor 10 disiodge IT,. We have eycrv
hope Of success important demonstration against
enemies is shortly TO be made In this section that
viii astonis them; but of cannot give the least par
tcuar; yet these 'afaifsn do take place viii
give you full details If not among those that fall for
their country's cause.
We in great want Of fresh meats provisions vege
tables &c In fact, suffering for them. Pork and
beans after period fail TO be palaable. and that is
it'll US at present.
To demonstrate to you the activity OF this ship It is
only necessary state that have been Under steam
1s5 days, without a moments cessation What naval
vessel can beat thatp
UNITED STATES STEAM FRIoATE RaANoEE
Orr FORTRESS MONROE, Sept 20, 1851
Bas and Exciting Time in the F7eet at Hrp,itoa ParGs