The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-04-17
Iron-Clad ships and Big Guns
for the Navy.

Iron-Clad ships and Big Guns
for the Navy.
The following are extracts from the recent
important circular of the Secretary of the
Navy to the naval committee Of the Senate.
After stating that sailing vessels are useless
for war purposes he says:
Steam vessels Of war, unless protected from
the enemy's shot and shell, caa make but
feeble resistance to, and must surrender
when assailed by an Iron. clad vessel. The
navy, as 1t exists at present, cannot sue
cessfully contend against a power employ
ing iron. clad vessels, and consequently can
not meet the requirements Of the country
I deem it imperative that we should forth
with commence the construction of.armored
vessels on scale commenv urate with the
great interest at stake. The Department,
under date Of February 2O,1S62, advertised
for plans, which are now being received, de-
veloping the skill and ingenuity Of our coun-
trymen, and have faith they will produce
models for class of vessels for the home de-
fence and for sea service that will secure to
country equality, if not pre- em;nence, in ma
val construction. The heaviest ordnance in
present use Is not sufficiently heavy and
powerful to break and destroy the armature
now placed upon vessels; We shall, therefore
be compelled to increase the caliber Of our
guns until size be attained which will crush
any armature that can be borne by ves-
sell have already given orders to con-
struct 6fteen 20 inch guns, but their manu-
facture Is attended with great difficulties,
and requires the highest skill to attain sue
cess. There are but few establishments in
the country willing to undertake the manu-
facture Of these guns, and they can produce
but small number. 1t is, therefore, ear
nestly requested that an appropriation Of
100000 be made to extend the grounds
and to build furnaces at the Washington
Navy yard. The department proposes to
construct a few vessels oflight draught great
speed, and heavy armament, for the western
waters also a class for harbor defence, and
to operate upon the Atlantic coast and in
the Gulf of Mexico, which shall be, as far
as possible, invulnerable, each armed with
l5-inch guns. And anally it proposes to
attempt an ocea n steamer, possessed of the
same sailing and armored properties, armed
with guns of twenty inches calbre. The
two latter classes also to be used as rams.
ask the committee to consider the impor-
tant subject of procuring iron plates for the
armature of vessels. 1t is believed there are
but few, ifany. mills in the country capable
rolling plates over two inches in thickness
and these cannot be produced in very large
quantities The demand of the Govern
ment will be likely to raise the price of these
plates so as to render the vessels more ex-
pcnsive than under ordinary circumstances
would be the case. Under these circum-
stances shall the government, under proper
restrictions, advance money to some we'll
known establishment, to enable the pioprie-
tors to put up the necessary buildings and
machinery Shall one of the navy yards be
selected in which to erect the works called
for under the change in naval armament, or
shall new point be selected, and the foun-
dation laid for an establishment meeting ali
the requirements of an iron navy? Forging
for heavy shafting it also requisite; and
some measures in regard to such an estab-
iishment seem indispensable in connection
with the other plans suggested. The quail.
ties of iron that may be used for ar
matureis matter of great impor tance,
the iron produced at some min es
being capable of vastly greater resis-
lance to projeotiles than others. An inves.
tigation, with practical tests as to the quali-
ty of iron in different localities, with view
of selecting that which is best adapted to the
purpose of government, would be highly use.
ful. would also request an appropriation
Of SlQ0, 900 for targets and experimental
practice. Finally, I would ask that the sum
Of $50, ,oo0, 900, including the appropriations
already made the present session,
be appropriated for iron-clad vessels, heavy
ordnance, and plating any naval vessels al
ready in the service should such course be
deemed advisable.