Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-10
Prom the Charleston Mercury.
ThoNorfolk Turtle.

The iron clad steamer Virginia cost $ls5 GOO
to 81 her mp, aud ia one day destroyed 81 100000
worth Of Yankee property. She lost her PROV ia
striking the Ericsson a slanting blow. and not by
running against the Cumberland. This can be
replaced in two days. and then she will be in a.
good, II not better condition than ever. We give
an extract from private letter from Mr.. John
l. Porter. the naval constructor Of the Virginia.
he writes
Il received but little announcement from any
one while the Virginia progressing Hun
dreds-I NAV say thousands-asserted that she
would never float. Some said she would turn
bottom side up; others said the crew would suffo-
cate; but the most wise said the conclusion and
report from the guns would de.fen the men
Some said she would not steer: and public Opin-
ion generally about here said she would never
come out Of the dock You have no idea what
/ have suffered in mind since commenced her:
but knew what was about, and peTseyered
Some OF her inboard arrangements are Of the
most intricate character, and have caused me
many sleepless nights in making them; but all
have turned out right. and thanks are due to a
kind Providence, whose blessings on my efforts
| have MANY times invoked
/ must say | was astonished ut the success of
he Virginia. She destroyed the Cumberland in
fifteen minutes, and in thirty more the Congress
was captured. The Minnesota would have shared
the same fate, but she got aground. and the Vir
ginia could not get at her
The Virginia steers beautifully, and her speed
is three miles per hour more than il ever was.
She is very comfortable; there is not the least
unpleasant sound from the guns, and all the Off
GERS are highly pleased
The Virginia is now in the dry dock for re
pairs. Her iron plates are said to have with
stood, with the most complete success. the efforts
Of the terrific connonadng of the enemy, some
of the sections only being riven. Her smoke
stacks and yentilatOrs were riddled by the enc
my's balls, so as TO give them the appearance, as
our informant describes them, of huge nutmeg
gra,ers, We are glad TO learn from the Norfolk
Day Book thar the large gun, recently cast in
Richmond for the Virginia, has been placed in its
position on board of that vessel 1t throws
solid shot weighing 800 pounds
The shot is of wrought iron, long and has a
steel point This point is not conical, as in the
common rifle cannon ball but shaped like that
OF the ordinary instrument for punching IRON
Recent experiments show this to be an ugly
weapon, even against thick iron plates The gun
for this projectile. with the two Armstrong guns,
put aboard the Virginia since she returnad from
Newport News, gives her one of the most
formidable batteries in the world, in addition to
her being perfectly shot and shell proof
The Richmond Dispatch of the Doth, saws:
Private information from Norfolk assures Us that
the Ajax of the Roads will not be long idle and
when she makes her second excursion il will tall
with crushing weight upon the old hulks of the
Federal navy. Since her gallant exploits of the
9Th and 9Th, the people of Norfolk breathe ireer,
and less danger is apprehended of a visit from
Burnside.