Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-30
ECENT PRIC Is


LAUNCH OF Fl GUNBOAT.-A large num-
Der Of citizens, including many ladies, assembled at the
river below Jackson Mound, yesterday, to witness the
launch Of the gunboat built there by Captain Shirley.
As the boat lay on the ways she was greatly admired
We shall not give a description Of her; it will be found
what she is like when she comes to the point where hard
knocks are given and bold efforts made for victory. Our
citizens felt sati- fed with her, they have confidence that
she will make a mark and do her good share in the work
of the revolution now progressing. Captain Shirley Ger
5aiuly merits high praise for the manner in which be has
fulfilled his contract He has had obstacles of no ordi-
nary character in his way and formidable difficulties has
beset almost every stepof the work. Such an undertake
ing was a new thing here, and not only had the boat to
be built, but commonly the very things had to be made
by which the work had to be done. Spite Of al, Capt
Shirley has turned out a boat which gives satisfaction
and obtains the appreciation of those conversant with
marine architecture. Patiently the large concourse Of
people waited, looking on with great interest while the
numerous workmen keptup a continual din of hammers,
saws, beams Of wood used as bearers, axes and other
tools used in removing the supports aud Instructions that
have for many weeks sustained the boat on tie " ways
as the inclined plain is called at the highest place on
which the bow Of the boat was situated, the stern being
toward the water, for the custom is to launch stern-not
bow first One by one innumsrable beams, and props,
and blocks, were renewed A reAdy larboard," and
" all ready s~tarbosrd,7 was called. The boat now lay
unobstrueted on the ways, and needle but a little impulse
to set her forward Timbers were placed under her on
each side, slanting so as TO favor her motion to the river.
Wedges were placed under these and driven up by vigor-
GUS blows. These were all in the aft part Of the boat
and Of course driving large wedges under the uPrights
beneath the boat slightly raised the stern end. As it
did so the immense structure, with many persons aboard
and the c.. 5. flag flying, yielded to tie pressure, and
gentle as the motion Of a swan on he water, commenced
moving towards the mighty Mississippi as towards its
home. A band Of music on board struck up thu enliven-
ing strain Of Dixie" and the large crowd eheered ex-
uldngly while the ladies waved their handkerehiefs with
rapturous motion, when after moving gracefully for
-v..z aya144-4A oeae eaHav 60 a stop-thc launch
had not succeeded. The water being at a very high
stage had for sometime covered the lower part Of the
ways and when the weight Of the boat came there the
saturated ground permitted the supports partially to
sink. The water being so near the boat at starting gave
no opportunity for momentum to be gained by the NOV
ing boat, so that the sinking Of the ways proved an OBJ
structiOn which there was no forCe Of motion to over
come. By the use of jack screws the difficulty will
soon be surmounted and the launch be completed.