New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-17
THE GREAT NAVAL PROBLpm
Trial Trip Of the IrOn-C,sd Battery MAJ
tn"k-A Naval Commission Wisne....
the Expcrimcnt-AIi DisDut.s ,,, .z

hco'oruaJ "oI"lngi III compliance vlth or<ers
from the Navy Department, the United State, iro.-
clad battery Montauk started on her triaI tr;, r.
order that there should be doubt about ,be ,..,s
OF the important experiments, Secretary WeIle, o..
pointed a Naval Commission 10 witness The ,,;s,
trip, and report upon it. The Commission c,ns;..oA
OF the following officers, all gentlemen Of the highest
professional reputation in the service: Commado,.
Steven &. Rowan, commander Of the iron.clad frya.s
Roanoke; Capt. Rogers, late Of the Galena. and
Capt John Rogers Of the Ericsson battery Catsku
The following distinguished officers were also a,
board: Capt. Lacoiisk of the Imperial NAVY ~
Russia; Capt. ErzsnleoT, Naval Constructor in tba
same service, and Russian Colonel Of Ordnanc.
Commodore Gregory, Engineer Sinners, Cant. Wor.
den and others.
At 10 o'clock all embarked on the Mon.auk AZ ,bo
navy Yard, and at l0i o'clock, amid severe shower
Of drilling rain, the vessel showed of unsided and
headed up the North River. Her engines were m.
in quick motion, and, with q pounds of steam on.
gave 50 revolutions minute. This was the frA
report. The distance from the Navy-Yard 10 the
Battery was accomplished at the rate OF about 81
miles an hour. Soon after tho speed was increasei
to six, and size ordered to be driven even faster.
when The boilers began to foam. As the revolutions
csn be puHp TO 20, at least with the remaining uu-
tested power Of steam, the speed Of tie Montauk
will be almost exactly that Of the Passaic, seven
miles an hour. Tie tide was against her yesterday,
and also a very stiff breeze, but their Influence in
retarding a craft so low down, and SO settled
was not very great We stopped at the foo, Of
Thirteenth street to take on board Mr.. Orr, one Of
Mr.. Ercssons representatives., who came to see how
things worked.
At 70 o'clock, of Thirty.afth street, IS pounds Of
steam only produced IS revolutions, q pounds hav-
ipg previously obtained 30, or two revolutions more
Tut the foaming Of the boilers had not commenced
during the first bali hour From Thirty fifth street
up the river the progress was even and satisfactory.
Six miles On hour easily accomplished, notwith-
standing the newness Of tie boilers The trip of the
passae did not seem to famiiarize steamboat travel
ers with iron-cads for they eyinced all the charac
teri.,ics Of pristine curiosity as we passd. After
cold ssil, we reached the Palisades at about
o'clock, aud made preparstons to anchor; soundinn
were taken, and fifteen fatboms of chain run out
which secured the vessel. The Naval Commission
then adjourned to the tnrret and directed the ina-
tory movements for firing. Powder was then taken
from steam.tug. which brought it from Bedlos'a
Island.
At about q or O'Clock, firing commenced. Three
hollow sLos, two solid ones, and two shells were
sent into the bosom Of the Palisades They actually
shook the entire shore for hundreds Of yards and
where III solid shot fell, rocks and gravel for nearly
a quarter Of a mile rolled into the river. gentle
nau came from shore and stated that the shots tore
up the earth fearfIlly. He also informed parties on
Joard that during the Passacs trial. Of her slot
struck tremendous rock, and sent it IN fragments
in the air. The Commission intended firing ten
,ho;s, but only fired seven, as stated, it being
rather dark to continue. The trial tip Of the Plssaic
made under the auspices Of Capt. Ericsson, WHO
did 10. object % a minute FePor. OF. The hontauk
Is in tee bands OF tie Government and Capt. Wor-
den its representative does not wish particulars
printed. But the following statement Of the results
Of the experiment can give no comfort or iniOrma.
ton TO the enemy:
Firs'-rhe yaIious principles involved in the ex-
pertinent are proved practicable.
Stcord-That the turet pori-hole need not be
widened is now established beyond all doubt.
I2ird-The Montauk, 10 her present sh'pe, viii
20 10 sea on active service, this week. Commodore
Rowan and both Capt. Rogers expressed themselves
individually highly satisfied with the general success
OF the experiments. Not a bolt gave way during tha
entire trial. The Commission, of course, suggesting
in various details which can be effected
in - hours.
Tie work of the day being over, preparations were
made to return. The pilot, however, did not wish
to iAcur the responsibility OF anchoriug OIL tie bat
terry with the length OF chain available, and rs
steaming up to the Navy.Yarl at so la'e an hour
was out of the question il deemed bes, to leave
the vessel oil tue Palisades. The panty on board
then returned to the city in tow-boai all in excel
lent Eumos.
The Monlauk will arrive OH the NsvyYari to-
day at "A. m, and prepare to leave for sea. she
will probably be OF in two or tree days Annexed
ia a list of her officers:
Johu H. Wolleu, Commander; Chss II eastman. Lse,'-
naut Commander sid Eseclye Glcsr Pierre Gaud Mae
tcfi j. Mckinley and O Avery, ErF'su'i F. bro~n,'
Assistant Pay :. ~ Brsyton, Assistant Surgeon NO
bort Po.ls second Assistant, Acting Chief kusine,i o..
stevens Second Assistant Engineer D. Z C.tioy sld o. lie
Greene, Third Assistant L. giurefs.