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

The Secretary Of the Navy, the Commit
teeo in Congress on Naval Affairs. and the
Naval architects at Washington, are getting
sharp reminders from all sides. on the tardi-
ness shown in providing iron-cased war YES
sells both for defence and attack. Many
months ago the importance Of such vessels
was urged upon the attention of the Gov
ernment but it Was bard to get any thing
dope-even though it had been proved at
Fort Sumter that the roof of railroad bars
which covered the rebel floating battery was
good protection Fl ON the heavy shot OF the
fort. Still later when the Hollins steam
ram Manassas punched hole through the
side of the U. S. steamer Richmond on the
lower Mississippi, the cry was raised In
many quarters don't you ser But
still very little was done in proportion to the
obviou. Importance of the case. Evidently
somebody OF influence at Washington had
no ID of a brake. Even the Monitor, which
has Just saved the nation from deep dis
grace and the L. S. steam feet in Hampton
Roads from utter destruction, was only built
by its entefprising protector, Ericsson, and
within the short period Of 100 days, as a
sort of private speculation-the Government
to pay for the vessel, if upon trial 1t should
prove to be what its builder promised it to
be. So dull of comprehension were the
Naval Committee Of the Senate that they
threw out Of the Appropriation bill a few
days ago, an item for Sl5.0O0,0 900, applica-
BILE to the building Of iron-clad war vessels.
Probably it will get restored now. We no.
tice that the Secretary Of the navy has urged
its importance By a special communication
to the Committee. On this subject we take
the following from the Boston TrdueL'er
Hardly had the present Secretary of the Navy
| b, confirmed. when several Of the most eminent
mechanics urged upon him 10 have iron clad yes
sells built with which to reduce the Southern forts
| but the power" behind him sneered at vessels
| Of this class, pronounced them all wrong upon
| scientific principles, and not until the NTH or
| sixth month Of the Nsr, did he have sufficient
/ light upon the subject TO act. lhe vessels nov
under contract will not be finished to be Of any
use against the rebels, for the will be finishes
before they are completed. The Stevens Battery
| lie. unfinished because she is iron-clAd.
year ago Mr.. Donald Mckay submitted th'
| m odel and specifications for an irOn-eiad vessel
10 be finished in ten months; yet, like others, b
was treated with indifference. We state thes'
facts to show that the people have not bssn slow
/ to appreciate the Importance Of using every
known means to quell the rebellion, but their ser
| wants, for want Of knowledge, have been guidec
| BY the advice Of those who are rebels in thei
sympsthies. If this were not 90, Why were no
tn Minnesota and the Colorado, and vessels 0
this class, covered with iron to meet the Merri
mac2 If the rebels could raise wreck, cove
her with iron, and send Der down the river In 1
few months, surely We, who know what was tn
object Of her equipment, could In the same thu
have sent dosen vessels, all iron plsted TO resis
her. Why no, rough-plAte dozen at ones-vh.
wait to have them cssed scientifically
The publication Of Mr.. LenthalIs opinion o
iron-cased ships Of war, would probably shCu th
advice upon which the Secretary OF the Navy Ia
relied. II would be Of special interest st thi
time. Mr.. Lsn:hsll is the prime Naval Arehitec
q, Washington