, 1862-03-11

weight of metal The elegance and perfec-
ton Of her model, and the force of her engine
which gave motion to her screw, made her un-
Usually fast, even in rough sea, and her might
and strength gave her, rs naval battles were
once fought, before the days Of rifed guns and
iron plates, the character Of invincibility.
We shall probably soon have an opportunity
to learn what alterations the rebels have made
in her structure By their efforts to render her
shot-proof.
As it has been known for some time past
that she WAS near completion, much anxiety
was naturally felt as to the part she might
play in the rebel cause. Within short time
past, New York papers hare grare1y discussed
the possibilities Of her presenting her mailed
sides in their oWn harbor. She would hare
actually endangered the Capital itself and put
to flight, like so many gulls, the Potomac TO-
tilla. And this her achievements thus fur
have actually demonstrated as within the line
of her capabilities. But vessel has been
building il New York that has saved tins far
the page in our war annals which might have
been diEast1ou:1y devoted to the tloings Of the
Merrimac, and to her We shall devote the next
mention.
One thousand men have been busily em-
ployed night and day upon this vessel at the
Continental Works, Green Point, Long Island.
near Brooklyn. Three Of the largest rolling
mills have been kept at WORK on the massive
plating. Messrs. Corning, Ninslow & Co.,
Abbott d Son and Holdane & Co., all contrib
u1ed TO their tmost..abi1ity. The turret was
built at the Novelty II Worfs, the whole Of the
tools and machinery usually employed in iron
ship building il that establishment being de-
voted to the work connected with the turret
The, main engines, boilers, propellers, &c,
watc manufactured at the Delan,ater Works.
The turret engines, gun carriages, &C., were
made by Messrs- Clute Brothers, of Schenec-
tady. She was launched in the month Of Jan
uary-
and so The work was pushed On, md still
feyerlsh anxiety grew apace among those
Who we're watching her with view to her
destined GRAND, anxious lest the Merrimac
might get to sea and commence her voyage Of
mischief before the Monitor WIS ready. Not
ten days since, one Of her officers said to our
Informant, at New York, 1--WE watch every
dispatch, anxious and fearful lest we lose the
Merrlmac." It was resolved not to await the
full completion Of the vessel. though no
important detail vas omitted, as shown in her
successful trial trip in New York harbor, the
Last week in February. At that time she Ind
on board commission composed Of Commo-
dore Gregory, Chief Engineer Garvin and Ma
| val Constructor Hart. She left the Navy Yard
and proceeded down outside the Na1rows,
where her guns were fred and the vessel ma-
neuyc1eds and the Commission reported YER
baIly to Commodore Paulding that they con-
sidcred her Us very successful
One man steered her with perfect ease and
t facility. She made complete with
the helm hard over, In space Of three times
her own length, the time required being four
minutes and three quarters. Ithad been fear
cd by many naval officers that when the guns
were Fred the conclusion within the turret
would be too great for the men to bear; but
| it was found that, on the contrary, the con
| cussloa within was less than it was without
the tuzTet, and was not ut I'll severe upon the
car in any part when . charge Of canister,
weighing one hundred aud tllirty-6ye pounds,
was fired with the full charge Of fifteen
pounds of powder. Her speed by the ship
log was s1S and 1 quarter knots ~ hour, with
sixty-five revolutions Of the engines. The
boilers, being new and greasy, foamed SO that
the engines could not be worked up to thei,
maximum speed. The Committee expressed
themselves as agreeably disappointed in the
performance Of the vessel In every respect
The only difficulty they mention il, that thf
iron pilot house affects the compass; but 1t il
believed that this can be easily adjusted
The next day she put to sea. Her comman
der was Lieut.. John T. Worden, Of New York
whose original entry into the navy was in 1851
who Las seen e1ghteen. years Of service, and i:
noted in the Naval Register Of 1850 o. attach
ed to the sloop- ofwar Savannah, Of tho Homt
Squadron. Her armament is two IL inch Co
lumbiade. For her use was made novelty ii
var mIsEiIee-four hundred round forged sho
each Weighing ISL pounds, each costing 81
or a total Of SIS, ,s00-rather an expensive pill
| Of bullets. These are intended for Just wha
they accomplished, crashing through the mas
sire mail p}ate where the ordinary cast sho
wopld fly in piects. Thus much by way of de
| sc1iption Of the Monitor. She has herse]
best told her merits, saving as she did the taa
at Newport News, aud beating back her tre
mendous adversary. Let us speak briefly {
The othe vessels mentioned In the fight.
TIE e. S. FR1GATE CUMBERLAND.
Aside from the waste Of life attending th
loss Of the Cumberland and the Roanoke, the1
is little to regret. These vessels, like to
many others In OUT navy, were Of an antiquate
1 q EnSfnra 71-o3n +a1 IN fhn
uuiremcnts Of modern warfare. The Cumbe
land was built at Charlestown, Mass., in 1s4:
hence is twenty years old, and before she v:
destroyed, was probably in condition tn:
demanded rebuilding, or at least very ezpel
'siye repairs.
She was etaunch, heavily ti1nbercd, and nj
q favorite with sailors OF officers. Il
t measurement was ,728 tons, and thoua
pierced for only r. guns, these were Of gre
weight Of metal, which she was well able
e carry. 4 tragic interest belongs to the IA
Of the old Gigate, sunken shattered wret
By her late consort at the Gosport yard, Il
latter rieen from her Own obstruction to yis
: fearful violence upon her adversary.
q THE UNITED. STATES FR1G4TE CONGRES
The Congress was oae Of the old frigat
G built at Kittcry, Mime, in 1872, hence she "
+ twenty years old, and, like the Cambt
c land, ready to be overbauled and built
d anew. ahe was "butter.tpb,t' and as su
e in these times, was useless, except IS sto
d OF receiving ship. She WAS rated at 50 guu
8 her tonnage was l, ,s67. When;t4e attack y
d made she had not, We hear, = full crew. q
= place will be supplied BY modern and eff