Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-03-27
The sTon-Clad Steamer Virginia.

The Norfolk Day Book has the following cOmplimcn
tary notice OF the gentlemen who originated the plan
upon which the Virginia - was built
To MessrS. Williamson, Chief Engineer. and John
L. Porter Naval Constructor, belong the credit o OIL
gnating, devsing, ard carrying out the plan by which
the unsighty, black and begrmmed wreck lett Us by
the Federas was converted into the engine OF war
which now stands forth to defy the power of the COM
bned navy Of the North and to challenge the admiration
of the world.
These gentlemen having been directed by the Hon.
Secretary OF the Navy to report some plan by which
the Merrimac might be rendered serviceabe, reported
that which was subsequently carried QUIT having
received the approval of the Department. Mr. WIZ
hanson designed the alterations machinery, and Mr.
Porter had charge of the reconstruction of The hull
the vessel.
During the long time necessarily consumed with our
limited resources in building the vessel these gentlemen
had many difficulties to combat. Thousands OF ohJec
tions raised against the plan-many Of them BY
naval men, who gave expressions to their grave doubts
of by asserting that she would not be sufficient
y buoyant that Ler bow and stern had not sufcien!
bearing on the water to keep 10 line with the rest Of the
Ships that she could not be seered properly, and MANI
other like expressions. These gentlemen srove o.,
however, against this great tide of public opinion when
set strongly against them, and patiently abded tlef
time, until the great leviahan that sprung into eI
stence at their instance, has, by her success fully prov
| ed the correctness Of their plans.
| Messrs. Williamson and Porter are both natives Oh
Virginia-the one resident of Norfolk, the other
Portsmouth. They both belonged to the old navy aud
resigned their positions in that service when their STAG
withdrew from the Union Not only has Virginia, 6a.
the whole South, reason to be proud Of them, and We
opne that talent such as they have exhibited, Will Io'
pass unrewarded
1t will perhaps asonish those oveYcautous indIVht
ais who have opposed any considerable investment u
preparations for naval warfare, to learn that 1t cost W.
$4,000 to fit up the Virginia, while il one DAY ~
destroyed over 81 100000 of Yankee property, al!
came multiplying the amount, while the dana3'
inflicted by the enemy comparatively nsignhcal',
The Petersburg Express publishes al extract lVD
private letter written by Mr.. Porter, the naval c.I
structor, which append:
l received but little encouragement from any W
while the Virginia was progressing. HuudredS-ID.
say thousands-asserted she would never float Soy
said she would turn bottom side up; Others sail w.
crew would sufo ate but the most 1ctSe SAID thV I
cussion and report from the guns would deafen the IL
Some said she would not steer and public opinion ~,
orally about here said she would Eaver come out l.;
dock. You have no idea what have suft III Lp
since I commenced her, but knew what was a ,r,
and peIsevered. Some Of her nboard arrangtn1-i r.
o. the most intricate character and have CAUSE 3
: many seepless nights in making them; but az pror.
turned out right, and thanks are due to Klnu IN,
dence, whose blessing on my effort have many In'''
voked. noyr
must saw was astonished at the success Of n0 o
. pinia. She destroyed the Cumberland 10 hitee"l
ntes and in thirty the Congress was cap' % ba!
: The Minnesota would have shared the same la bt
she got az round and the Virginia could not &c.
The Virginia steers beautifully, and her sPeeu rD.
miles per hour more than it ever was. She Is 'e RON
Portable there is not the least unpleasant souu0
the guns, and all the officers are highly pleeSs"