The New York herald., 1862-03-26
Tho weight OF broadsde thrown from either Of these
sails would therefore he follows.-

Tho weight OF broadside thrown from either of these
| vessels would therefore be as follows
Merrimac .................... ,479 lbs.
Morsey oSz IDS
Franklin 2 .220 lbs
1t will be seen that although the hersey class supe-
ricr to the Merrimac the Franklin, though long,
has greater beam and heavier than the Eng
fish gate indeed there would probably be little doubt
in the minds Of naval that she could cope
fully with the most powerful shipof the line the Eng
sh navy. The heaviest armament carried by the Vic
tora class having power equal the Mersey, is
as follows
Lower deck-hirtytwo eight Inch guns. Of sixty five
cwt., to throw shells Of fifty three pounds.
Middle deck-Thrty eight inch guns OF sixty Ave cwt
to throw shells OF fifty three pounds
Main deck-Thirty two thirty two FOUNDERS nfty-
eight cwt. to throw solid shot OF thirtytwo pounds.
Upper deck-Twenty thirty pounders of forty
two cwt 10 throw solid shot Of thrtytw pounds and
sixty eight pivot OF ninety five cwt TO throw solid
shot of sixty eight pounds-l2l guns. Total complement
l, $50 men.
The weight of the broadside thrown by this vessel
$50 pounds, which would not be considered in our
service, sufficiently above that OF the Franklin TO
pensate for tho increased cabre Of the guns the latter
vessel.
We draw attention this matter and uakethe above
comparison not only to show the importance OF at
completing the Franklin, and 10 make her thoroughly
impreenabe iron battery but 10 presens her class
Of which ought Immediately 10 lay the koels OF
many shpysrds can conveniently build st ono
unexpectedly about six-and when shey done 70
commence Immediately equal number and 80
Our smaller class Of vessels which hereafter must
sis almost entirely Of iron gunboas and iron clad bat
tories, important auxiliaries 10 navy ana DO
used with great effect against their kind against shore
batteries and forts; but 70 meet the powcr
full frigates and ships-of- -the-iine. which also
will be iron and steel clad, and which will
sweep with irresistible force q nations commerce
from broad ocean, build vessels of equal power
and strength, which ought to do by the Of
our inventive genius.
Eight ten millions year expended in this direction
instead of parcelng political favorites for
vices that the country would be better without would
make England think twice she would challenge US 10
before she fully ascertained that sho really had
sufficient cause.
The question OF iron ships the only great naval
problem Of the age This will itself be enough keep
all the scientific maohinsts engineers OF Europe and
America constantly occupied for years TO Let
government TO it that nation be allowed to get
ahead Of Plate the Franklin at once and plate every
vessel after that we build, and whom we have large
ironplated navy may rest secure. and not till then
TIE STEAM GUNBoAr NAUoATUcK.
Tho steam gunboat Naugatuck, which has been fitted
and presented to the by Mr. A. Stevens
is finished She will DO put into commission to-day, and
pre- her trial trip She would have been ready
several days ago but for order from the government
directing that tho monster Union gum present the
Rip Raps should be substituted for tho pound rined
gun The order has been countsrmanded and riHsd
gun has been rsmountod.
Tho Naugatuck, about which 90 much has becn said
and written and from which much expected is an
iron sfaam cOn n ueval ell
being secured with beams and angie bars OF the best
material The linea Of tho hull not unusually sharp
is the with the famed Stevens battery pre-
very much the appearance Of Of old FASH
ioncd Sound proposrs. she Is not, is general
y supposed. intended to BE- model OF the
Stevens battery, but is merely designed TO illustrate
or the novel ideas connected with that monster
engine Of wnr-namely. tho ability to sink and raise
vessel with great rapdty to and manage her by
OF propeers located at eaehsde Of the Tud.
and taking up the reco Of tho gun OF India
rubber. Experiments already made have proved the
successful attainment OF these points to her
but yet remain unsatisfactory the mind OF the public
The hull Of the vessel constructed Of ron l0l feet
length, 20 foet beam, and feet depth OF hold. She
draws 5H feet light and feet whea submerged; and
her speed it calculated will be eleven miles per hour
when light, and five and half whom submerged.
Tho principal features for hor protection from shot and
shell are 1rst tho settling OF the vessel two feet
in tho water when going into action. by means Of water
tight compartments, two feet deep, between the main
deck and outer covering. arranged to bo rapidly
filed empted by powerful steam pumps. This does
away with the necessity OF carrying tho weight OF
feet Of iron armor while it substitutes to the greatest
possible extent, the best known armor water for ex
perencs has taught that when ball strikes water IL
takes upward direction and will, therefore. prove
a ball pass through the deck. il must pass through
the buiwarks, unseen and Cnhsard by those be-
decks This peculiar arrangement will also give
greater speed the vessel while cruising, chasing
retreaing, inasmuch it will be able to throw over
the weight OF the feet Of between decks
and for the TO bars and into har
bors which she could not otherwise reach Second the
OF clad bow curved nwards and plated with
layers OF half inch plates, strongly rivetted and
bolted, presents the appearance Of n ram, which,
doubt could be effectively used for running down wooden
vessels. The curvng the bow is SO admirably
ranged that only by the merest chance would bali
strike any spot at right angles, and SO must glance or
and when submerged she presents but a small surface
upon which the enemy bring their cannon to bear
Her sides above water line made Of white CEDAR
fully thick which soft nature as TO
allow ball to pass through without splintering.
The machinery, which is situated abait mdship, con
siss Of two horizontal high pressure engines
inch cylinder and twenty -four inch stroke, working
dependent OF each other. aud driving the two propeers
at either sido Of the rudder; ordinary locomotive
boiler two double oscilatng donkey engines driving
two Of Andrews pumps, capable Of throwing nne
hundred gallons Of water per minute Tho ability of
this vessel to round rapidly her centre without
making headway, by means Of the two screws instead
of the ordinary employed in making the circuit of
raho r..
for maneuvrng action. In connection with her speed
it will enable her 10 overhaul after another tho
enemy close Alongside present herself for
the cfoctve position bring her big gun in
any direction; turn in narrow channels and
ry retreat in any direction with facility. The two
screws form distinct means Of propulson-that Of
driving the vessel and enabling her to be seerod
OF accident 10 the rudder which is double the ordinary
security against the breskage Of machinery in action