Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-14
THE VESSELS ENGAGED.

TIE MoSI1oR.-IThe full description Of the
Ericsson steam Battery, Monitor, given by one Of
our New York correspondents few days since,
renders unnecessary much further description Of
her in our columns.l
Her armament consists of ll.inch columbiads,
which have been furnished with 400 wrought-iron
shot. each ball costing Sal and weighing ls4 lbs.
The vessel has no unprotected part. If ball
strikes the turret 1t meets resistance Of or IN
on the fighting side) Of ii inches Of IRON If 1t
strikes the sides, a resistance Of inches Of iron
and bulwark Of 80 inches Of white oak. The
battery is considered by the inventor as one Of the
most powerful steam rams ever built.
The battery left New York THURSDAY for
Fortress Monroe, with the purpose Of attacking
the Merrimac at Norfolk, at least Of preventing
her from coming out. Capt. Ericsson accompa-
MED his We sell By the terms Of her contract, she
was to be tried and proved before being accepted
BY the Government. 1t is safe to set her down as
a Government vessel.
THE CuMBERLASD.-The Cumberland was
soop-of-war Of ,725 tons burthen, and carried p
guns She vss built in 1872 at the CharlesJown
Navy Yard, and was consequently 20 years old
TIE CoSeREss.-The Congress is one of the
wooden frigates Of the line. she was built at the
Kittery Navy ard in the year lsil, and Is, con-
SEQ uently, u years old. She was Of ,so1 tons
burthen, and carried so guns When she arrived
in August last, four of her officers acted in such
manner as 70 Ii sm TO be sent TO Fort Lsfsy-
cite.
THE MISsEsorA.-Ihe Minnesota is a screw
frigate Of 200 tons burthen, and carries 40 guns
Of heavy calibre. She was built at Washington
10 the year 1888.
lee RoAEokE.-The Roanoke is a first class
frigats Of lT26 tons, carrying 50 gums Of which
are 6s-pounders, ~ 32-pounders, and bost-how
h. ahnus feat of and Ia
one Of the fastest sailers in the navy.
rHE REsEL FLEET.
TRE MERRlNAo.-The Merrimac the iron-plated
steamer, formerly the United states frisate
OF the same name, which was scuttei and sunk at
the Norfolk Navy Yard, at the commencement of
the rebellion. She built at Charleston in 1855.
and was pierced for 30 guns, The spar deck Of
the Merrmac was Isl feet long and 50 feet broad,
in her original condition. and she drew p feet Of
water. she rated at about 1000 tuns burden.
Her hull cut down 10 within feet Of her
water mark, and bomb-proof house built On her
gun-deck. She was also iron-plated, and her bow
and stern steel clad, with a projecting angle OF
iron for the purpose Of piercing a vessel. Her
bonb-proof is inches thick, and is made Of
wrong iron. Her armament consists Of / inch
| navy guns on each side, and lO0-pOundcr Arm
strong guns at the bow and stern.
TIE STEAMERS YoRK1owS AND JANEsrowS.-
The rebel steamer Yorktown was formerly on the
New York and Virginia line Of steamers. She is
a side-vneel steamer Of l 400 tuns buTthen, and
was built in New York in 1853. She has bee
completely fitted out at Norfolk, her siies having
been plated with iron, aud other means having
been taken TO strengthen her and render her for
midaola. She is commanded by Capt. Parrish,
the same who commanded her when she was more
peaceab.y inclined. she carries guns pivot
and broadside guns.
The rebel steamer jamestown vas built in New
York about the same time as the yorktown, and
was also employed 10 the New York and Virginia
line o; steamers. She is a io-wheel steamer about
500 tons burthen. She was fitted out at the Nor
folk Navy Yard at the commencement Of the re-
bellion, her sides having been iron-Tla;ed.