Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-12-12
YAvY oN wEsrrRN wArrns-
When the vessels now under construction are
completed the navy will consist of



The attention Of this department was turned
to the subject of iron-elad vessels Immediately
after the commencement of hOstilities and the
adoption Of measures for the enlargement of the
navy. It was a subject full of difficulty and
doubt Experiments upon a large scale of ex-
Pense, both in England and France. il not result
ing in absolute failure, had achieved but a lin
tied and questionable success Yet il was evil
dent that new and matcrial element in mara
time warfare was developing itself, and demand
ed immediate attention. In their view recon-
mended to Congress. at its extra session, on the
4th of July, 1861, the whole subject, and asked
authority to organize a commission for investi-
CATION. Thirty days after this action on my
part, Congress conferred the authority request
ed, and appropriated fifteen hundred thousand
dollars for the construction of one or more iron
clad vessels upon such models as would receive
the approval of the department. On the day
after the law had been approved the commission
was constituted and the department advertised
for proposals. OF the various plans aud proposi-
tions submitted, three vessels Of different models
were recommended by the Board, which reeeiv-
ed the approval Of the department. Contracts
were forthwith made for constructing the Mon
itor, the Galena, and the Ironsides- All ofthese
vessels are now in the service. II was the in
tention and constant effort Of the department
and the contractors that the Monitor should be
completed in the month Of January, but there
was delay in consequence Of the difficulties in
cident to the undertaking of such novelty and
magnitude, and there was also some slight de-
fects which were, however promptly remedied
and she left New York early in March reaching
Hampton roads on the night Of the eighth.
Here follows detailed account Of the naval
battle between the Monitor and MerTinae. The
report eontinues;l
Thus terminated the most remarkable naval
combat Of modern times, perhaps Of any age
The kereest and most formidable naval assault
upon the power az the Union which has been
made by the insurgents was heEoically repslled
and new era was opened in the history OF mari.
time warfare.
Before the occurrence Of these events enter.
tanning a conviction that Al least one Of the mod.
els of iron-elad VeSsels-that Of the Monitor, an
original invention Of JOhn Ericsson. OF New
YOFk-would prove a successful experiment
and IT was particularly adapted 10 our harbol
and coast defense, and service on the shallow
waters Of our seabOard, estimated, in nv an.
nual report last December, for the immediai,
construction Of twenty iroa-clad steamers Thl
House OF Representatives promptly RESPONDED
to this Recommendation, and passed bill auth
OriHing and empowering the Secretary of ID,
Navy TO cause to be constructed, bv contract o
Otherwise. as he shall deem best for the publ
interest, not exceeding twenty -one irOn-elas
steam gunbOats." The Senate DELAYED aetiOl
ON this hill until February when forseeins tha
the eo0Rtry would saifcr from longer insctiot
| addressed the chairman Of the Naval Com
mitiee Of the Senate on tho subject, aud The Te