New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-07

hnila our own ships, export our cotton TO Europe
direct and make exchanges independent OF New
! York. There were few who had at the time mis-
giving that the conception Of these patriotic IDEAS
belonged to some cunning Yankee, who wanted to turn
penny by their development. OF this shall speak
/ Hereafter.
company of patriotic gentle all of Charleston,
was formed, and the Legislature being in the night
spirit, Hill was got through arpropriairg $50, GOO
toward building two steamships adapted to war pur-
poser and TO be 30 sed in the event Of South Carolina
seeding from the Union. The bill was drawn up with
great cucumspection, and with view to increased
PATRIOTISM The ships were 10 be modelled after the
most improved warsbp lnee, to have nail ports
and spar.deck guns if necessary. They were to be
propeers, full shil rugged, and p'rced for stern
cbasers They TO be built in Charleston, OF South
Carolina oak and pine--a but the transon, apron,
stem and siern-post which were 10 be Ut hive OAK, got
/ in Forda-and by Southern mechai is Not spike
was 10 be driven by Northern mechanic. But by
some queer turn in AFFAIR." or perhaps, urgent neces-
atty the high honor of Superintendent of this al-im-
poraut ene r,e confer ed upon one Cap' Tucker,
gentlemen Of Northern birth, keehly alive to the
value of dolhrs and esteemed remarkably sound on
''the niger Tucker was to have good salary aud
per centsge. Tucker soon saw the Ierpexiy of bis
position. There was good wood however, enough III
Snh Carolina to build forty war-slITs but not
oundery in which the engines could be manufacture d,
nor u man TO be found in the whole State skilled in
var-ship building. We had yard or two where small
vessels could be repaired; and we congratulated )ur-
selves that bad built thee small vessels for carry
ing rice for 81. Helena They Syere not, to be sure
of the approved model, but then ve wereproud OF
them, and the negroes who manned them wanted no
letter craft seeing that they were exceedingly slow
sailors.
There WAS no one in Charleston even to make
model much lefs a loft spacious enough TO lay down
tie lines Of suth ship in. Capt Tucker pordeIed the
question well. Tie reputation OF the State wac saked
on the building of these terrible sbips and it would not
do TO make an experiment Of 40 important an under
taking There was nothing to do but get the Legisa-
ture to grant modification of the law ordering their
construction. II they could not be built IN South Caro-
lina they could not. Ifhe raw mgferial at her own
door could be transported to tie North, and the SHIPS
buit there, at saving of 20 per cent, II would be no
facrfce If Jatrioism We all admired this convenient
way of getting great difficulty. 1t was also very
wisely resolved to build one slip at a tine.
Capt. Tucker took sHeciionale leave Of Bis friends
end clothed with ample authority, sailed for New
York, where be spent exceedingly pleasant Summer
made one contract for building the biz ship with VIII
lamlburgh irbuilder and another for tie engines
with New York foundery. Things went on ewim
mingly in New-York and expect,t ion ran high in
Charleston. The timber of which the first ship was TO
be built woud all be Of Souih Carolina growth, and on
that point our pride also high. | s'rolled into the
modng lott one day. aud remember with what feelings
of pride the craftsman showed me lis model. made
come remark the fulnes- of it's nes want of sym
rnetry ~ the bow, and heayiness Of counter. "The
lines be replied "are not sharp enough to be pleas
mg TO tie eye accustomed TO merchantmen, or clipper
shigs but YOU mutt member that ts ship il intended
for war purposes and have 10 govern Ourselves ac-
coriipgly." Well this terrible war.,hip was built and
raid for, and came tumbing rather than sailing into
Charleston Inrbor, 10 the great delight Of all good Sc
ctssonis,s and in command Of the gallant Tucker.
Charleston rejoiced for several days over this great
event, eat sumptuous dinners, drank baskets of
champague let of vast amount of surplus oratory,
and smoked no end Of cigars A short description of
tits terrible waIp, as che lay peacealy at her moor
ings may not b. without interest at this time. Imagine
a very heavily spared aud rugged ship with very
bsck hull high out q water broad lines bluff bow,
heavy counter, favageooking hgurehead her sides
rounding sharply from he bice, and "tnublmg IN
after the fashion of the ancient war ships ard you
have the South Carolina for such was her name. She
lad also high galleries, top-salant bulwarsf, was
Ierced for guns, and mounted two small brass pieces
on the ,pardeck. TIE experienced eye sOoS detected
The defects Of her model; but she was formidable to
look at and we congratulated Ourselves that We bad
got big thing"
The voyage from New.York bad been long and To-
dous aud the shp bad rolled fearfuy These trihes,
However were attributed 10 defects Of new machinery,
and coud easily be Buj II clear to the
nautical eye that the South Caroinas rolling qualities
would be far superior TO her Ealing The great ques
ton now came up, What shat We do with herl With
her Goals and armament on board she would draw full
twenty feet Of water, and il was not safe to cross
Charleston Bar with more than seventeen. The same
difficulty would arise IL she attempted 70 vnlcae the
duect-trade movement loaded with cotton. What
was 10 be dore with the big wa-ship, all in
curing. She made divers trps OF pleasure down the
harbor to the great delight Of those board. But she
was picking the pockets of her patriotic owners, andhe
State which very wisely got 's ardor cooled down. and
resolved to withhold the appropriation for building the
second slip. II was all well enough TO build ship
that could only crute in the farbor and hence gain no
victories over our enemies The terrible war ship was,
in truth, a sad failure NJ Secessiont friends said they
had been beray ed by the Yankees and began beapng
curses on their heads. Still, the great question pes
tered u.s. What shall we do with the sh.P After lying
peaceaby enough ut the wharf for some week., it was
resolved TO send her 70 New-York, in the vulgar ca
pacity Of cotton doger. am not IA TO the mum
Der Of bales she took on board but II very small
and vet even with this small freight, slo unable
TO get over the bar, and had 10 wait nearly three
weeks mooied Of Sul.ivan's Island, for On oppOr-
tunitv "a cross Dining this peacefu OccuIaton had