Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-15
FOR WESTERN RIVER SERVICE.
Total. $500. Ill

Notwithstanding the whole number of vessels
IN the Nary Register for the last year was only
eighty, the present number. including those now
building, is no less than 3c6-forming naval es-
tablisbment of surprising magnitude aud scarcely
ever surpassed by the efforts of a single nation
Of the aggregate 2Sl are steam and IS5 sailing
vessels
AS before noted, the large proportion of lion
clad boats, mostly carrying from two to four
guns, Is a prominent feature. and as the expendi
ture involved must form a considerable item in
the fiscal accounts Of the Government, it be-
comes important TO know whether this arm of the
national defense is being excessively developed
or may not prove false reliance. 1t is proper
to observe, then, as helping to determine the rel
alive value of stone, wood and iron ir resisting
the force of projecties, that a numerous fleet of
wooden steamers ran the gauntlet of the forts be-
low New Orleans almost unframed. bearing
this fact in mind, is it certain that money not
be expended more judiciously than by building
numberless Montorsf We have heard naval
officer of high iepute-One who has exchanged
many hard shots with the rebels from the deck
OF his fivorte steamer-assert that sixty guns
can be efficiently mounted as floating batteries,
where we now produce but single Monitor.
LII this is susceptible of proof it il an impor.
tant fact. The plan which seems specially to
commend itself to the exigencies of the present
time, is substantially seen IN the steamer Manga
tuck, built by Mr. Stevens, of Hoboken, which
is little more than an ordinary boat constructed
with compartments, so that the whole may be
quickly submerged to the water line for action,
or pumped out and put in condition for fast sail
ing. This plan dispenses with the necessity for
iron plating-a log bulwark of soft wood being
good substitute; it is economical, as ordinary
craft can be altered for war purposes at small ex-
peDse, and easily restored use for the purposes
of commerce; and vessels thus arranged eau be
Unanswered with CELEBRITY impossible of attain
ment where heavy plating is employed. These
views obtain favor among intelligent naval Off
GERS. and they commend themselves to ones
common sense. Lit they be maintained, their
adoption by the Government will save a large
expense, without impairing the efficiency of our
maritime defenses, and will suggest the expedi-
eney of directing larger proportion of the funds
to the construction of vessels of heavier class,
adequate to cope with the sea going steamers SO
much in favor in Europe
We have limitations that in consequence of
the contracts for the new Monitors being awarded
without accurate specifications in regard to the
size OF the armament TO be introduced, unex-
pected delay is caused in their completion But
irrespective OF this, it may be worthy of consid-
Grafton whether it is best to depend on this class
of vessel at all. rather than impromtu gunboats
modelled after the Naugatuck, which certainly
possess some excellent qualities not attainable in
any other way.-N. Y. Jour. of Commerce.