Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-17
uarbor and ocean Batteries.

1t may be set down rs truth, that no country
has yet succeeded in producing an iron plated
steamer suitable for ocean navigation. Some of
the English or French might venture to sea with
tolerable safety, and should weather favor, might
make trans. Atlantic trip, but they would surely
reach port badly strained and leaking uncom.
fortably. Our own Monitors, it is notorious, are
wholly untitled for sea navigation. The original
Monitor reached Hampton Roads before she
reached the bottom, but it was only because the
weather experienced was not very bosterous,
and owing 10 the bearing of the men, who re-
fused to abandon her. Nor are her successors,
though much improved, of character to sur
mount this difficulty. 1t is evident, then, that
vessels Of this class are chiefly available for har
Dor Defense to cooperate with stationary walled
batteries. Thus employed, we may well suppose
that our harbors are unapproachable by an en-.
envy. Certainly they would prove formidable
antagonists For offensive warfare, we may
gard it as settled principle that these small,
light-draft, slow gopig vessels are wholly made.
quate They are useless for hostilties prosecu-
ted abroad; they could not cope with a heavy
iron-clad frigate, from their liability TO be run
down. nor could they break blockade. Donald
Mckay, who is competent TO Judge in such ques
tons, excerpts only the frgate Ironsdes, recently
built at Philadelphia; and the newly plated
steamer Vanderbilt, also the iron-cased ram
building by VIM. II. Webb, of this city, will
Il
prove still superior.
As the case now stands, the steam vessels of
the Americn Navy may be comprised under two
general classifcations. viz: wooden steamers for
ocean service, and small iron-clad batteries, car
rying few heavy guns, adapted 10 service in
harbors and rivers. Should we become involved
in foreign war, the latter-acting in concert
with casemated wordsworth be our main reli-
ance for defensive operations, and consequently
form an important arm of the National de-
Tense.
IL may be well TO inquire as to how far we are
justified in depending for security on our Monitor
leet but in discussing this subject, some restraint
is imposed by considerations of expectancy We
may say, however, that in the judgment of good
nautical men they are not precisely the thing
which We want, aud that il is possible the Navy
Department at Washington errs in multiplying
vessels Of this class 10 large extent while sea-
going steamers comparative neglected.
France has ten iron cased floating batteries, four
large iron lrigates aud two rams, and has on the
stocks ten iron frigates and four batteries which
can be completed in one year If necessary.
The English have six iron irigates, but are
building seven iron ships and are casing five or
six ships with iron.
The United States, within the past year, has
built seventy new vessels, and before April 1863,
we shall have nearly one hundred, Of which over
fifty will be iron clad Only twelve Of these are
completed but others are far advanced The
following is a classification Of iron clad vessels
according to the last Nary Register: