The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-03
Tho Gun Boat Aroostook.

Tho readers OF the Union and Journal will
remember that among the gun boats to 30
built and now building for the government,
one was contracted for by Mcssr. Titoomb &
Thompson, Of Kennebunk, 70 b built by
them. This boat Ia o screw steam gun boat,
and Is named tho ARoosrook. Work was
commenced on this boat sometime in July
last. and under the management Of O. Little
field, master builder, has 20 lar progressed
that Il will be ready for service in about
four or Eve weeks from the present time.
The substantial manner in which this ad.
dition to our navy Is constructed reflects
great credit upon the skin and workmanship
Of the above named GENTLEMAN and the work
men under his charge. Tho timber used 10
entirely Of the best white oak, with the eI-
ccption Of somo few pieces required to be Of
locust Olive oak. The greatest caro- Is used
to insure the vessel, when completed, to DO
Of the most staunch build. In addition to
the utmost caution In selecting timber, tho
fastcnings arc some third moro than ordinari-
ly mado.
Tho machinery Is now being put into tho
boat and perfected for action, under the
superintendancc Of Mr.. Geo. Alexander, SUI
perintcndent Of the Novelty Iron Works, Of
New York City, by which concern the samo
is furnished. This machinery is made from
drawings and specification made by govern
ment, and every pioce Is rigidly required by
the inspector to DO up TO the standard. Tho
amount Of iron used 10 nearly twice rs much
as is put into the same description Of work
for ordinary mercantile steamers. Tho
Aroostook has two back action propeller
engines with two cylinders thirty inches in
diameter and Is inch stroke. These drive q
propeller nine feet IN diameter. There are
two Of Martins Patent Tubular boilers sup
piled with water by Scwcll's Patent Surface
Condenser. The amount Of steam carried Is
forty pounds, and tho number Of revolutions
per minute. ono hundred, which gives aspced
Of eleven miles an hour. There Is also ono
auxiliary engine for the purpose Of driving
the blower and working the pumps. For
fuel, anthracite coal is used, and the coal
bunkcrs will hold one hundred and twenty
tons, being supply for fourteen days only.
This motion machinery is oil below deck
secure from outside accident.
The ARoosIooK is ono hundred and City
eight feet long, twenty.eight feet broad, and
twelve feet deep. She will cauy ono eleven
inch gun amidshis, ono parrott gun in tho
forocastlc, and four broadsidc gans-being
six guns in all.
TO the master builder, and superintendent
Of tho Novelty Iron Works, and the chief
engineer, whose names VIZ did not learn, wo
nro indebted for many courtcsie on our visit
to the gun boat. We sincerely hope that
fortune will favor tho Aroostook with many
brilliant achievements, and that she will long
stand the waves IN honor to tho American
Navy.
That such will DO tho case wo have no
doubt, IL all her officers and men havc tho
same high regard for duty as her present
chief engineer.
Since writing tho above, We have been in.
formed by the pOliteness Of tho chief engineer,
the names Of the following officers now APP
pointed for the Gun Boot Aroostook
Chief Enginer-wnlLAx G. BurHLrR.
Assistanfs-Gro. 4. Holt, JAMES Esrwrs-
TIE, SAMUEL GxAGo.