New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-16
THE VESSEL VARUNA.n

AM 'I%ooI>b NAhtNA
The following correspondence has been cent Us for
publication. 1t explains itsclf
Housx OF REPREsKSTArIvEs Mty 6, 1862.
Sir: am directed by the Committee on Govern
ment contracts of the House to inquire Of you how
much was paid by the Government for the vessel
Varuna, bought at Mystic, Conn.,, and from whom
purchased, and to whom was the money paid.
Very respectfully, yours, &c.
Z. b. WAsHBURNE, Chairman, 1e.
Hon. GIDEON WsIIEs Secretary Of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 70, 1862.
SIR: Your letter Of the Slh inst. asking on behalf
of the Committee on Government Contracts, chow
much was paid by the Government for the vessel
Varuna, bought ut Mystic, Connecticut, and from
whom purchased and 10 whom the money was paid,
has been received.
Had the Committee on Government Contracts"
done me the honor of examining my report and the
accompanying documents at the commencement OF
the present session of Congress they would have
ascertsined, as early the 4th of December last,
the essential facts which are the object Of their pres
ent inquiry The precise amount paid for the ives
tel Varuna" was $l27 ,460. She was one of the ex-
cellent purchases made for the Government by Geo.
ID. Morgan, esq, OF New-York, and is the fret of
the many steamers procured by him that the country
has lost She was purchased Of Messrs. Charles
Mallory & Charles s. Bushnell, :" each one half
owners" as stated by the li OF sale, and the money
was paid directly TO Them. Mr.. Mallory is an emil
rent ship builder of StoniDgton Conn.,, and owns an
extensive ship-yard at Mystic. AIR. Busbuell has
been interested To some extent in vessels for many
years. He sold TO the Department the steamer Stars
aud Stripes one of the most efficient vessels III the
servce he was the builder Of the iron-cad steamer
Galena, now in James River, aud he first brought
the plans OF the Monitor TO the notice of the Depart
ment. He is at this time the representative OF his
fellow citizens Of New1 Haven, who know him best,
III the Legislature of Connecticut.
shorld 10 sated that ~ NaruDa
chased she had not been launched, and the contract
price was $4,000, less the estimated cost OF ht-
ting her for the merchant service, what was re-
quired for naval use. When completed, the differ
ence estimated by ID. ID. Westervelt IAN eminent
sbipbulder of New-York) 10 be $3.50 which
amount was deducted from the price named in the
contract.
The heroic commander Of the Varuna by most sim
gulsr coincidence, reached the Department from the
scene Of the great and triumphant conflict on the
Mississippi loaded with trophies Of the victory,
which lie was exhibiting and was detailing tEe ex-
poIis Of his good snip aud her fate al the moment
when tie letter from tie Committee on Govern
ment Contracts was received, inquiring how much
was paid by the Government for the "vesse Va
runa," of whom purch sed, and to whom paid.
Having answered these inquiries, it gives me pleas
ure, will alec, doubtless give pleasure 10 the
L" Committee OH Government Contracts, 10 read the
testimonial oil her brave and Efficient commander to
the qualities and character OF the gallant vessel
Varuna," which, after rendering service unsuT-
passed. perbaps by any vessel Of her capacity aoai,
and sinking six Of the enemy's steamers-two OF
which weie iron-clad-w8s herself finally borne
down, and now lies beneath the waters Of the Ais
sissipp. reget my inability 10 furnish the Com
mittee on Government Contracts" the money value
of the Gamers destroyed by tfe "vessel Naruna,
and the priceless consequences that must follow
from that great victory IN winch she bore 80 con.
spicusus part. II will he, am sure, matter OF
great qualification 10 the "Committee on Govern
ment Contracts" 10 learn that, though disabled and
sunk, the vessel and her armament may yet be BE-
cured, though at some exIense.
| submit herewith q copy Of the letter Of Com
mander Boggs and fully spprecisting the interest
manifested by the Committee on Government Con-
tracts ia the vessel Naruna," and not doubtine
the public have patriotic feeling in all that con-
cerns that extraordinary vessel. IL will give me ss
much pleasure yourelf 10 make public this cor
rcspondence, detailing her cost and value.
'"' '''' respectfully ''05o oibEoS iisst,S' w5fEalIrs
The Hon T.. b. wssaBuHsE Chairman Committee on
Government Contracts, House Of Representatives
NAVY DEPARTMENT. WAsHIsoTos May 10, 1852
SIR: | respectfully submit the following brief
statement respecting the United States steamer
Varuna, lately under my command:
Her model Tor speed and all the qualities necessary
for sea-steamer have never seen surpas ed, hay
ing proved tie faslest vessel Of the fleet.
Her engines lower and better protected from dam
age than many vetres Of the navy. These engines
-Ericssou side-lever patern-are Of superior work
uanship and decidedly the best propeller engine that
have SEEN.
The hull Of more than the average strength of
vessels Of her class.
/ consider that che was among the best Of the ad-
ditions 10 the navy from The merchant marine.
Very repeatedly, your osedient seTV,n', =,
CHAS BOGGS, Commander I. s. N.
Hon. CIDROs WYLIEs, Secretary Of the Navy, Washing
toh' ~ =