New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-04
4 REPORTED IMPORTANT DIsCOv.
RRY IN NAVAL WARFARE.
A Powerful WeRpon OF OGensc-The Rebel
Steamer sumter.
OF The Boston Traveller.

Correspondence of Tho Boston Traveller.
BAY OF ALGEsIRAs. SPAIN, I
y: g. steam ,loop otwsr kesI.sIE: sept Iso i, ~
DAYS been electrified by an invention OF our nrst AZ
sstant- Engineer, James w. Whitaker, esq,of lren
ton, N. j., which totally eclipses anything yet an
nounced on the all-mportant topic Of ronps'edsiPe
For obvious reasons, am not at liberty AZ present
to give details Of this powerful agent Ior tne uc
srucon of such iron.plated antagonists as 'ne 'er'
rimac and Arkansas.
For its simplicity in design, completeness in coy
structon, and certainty of execution, 1t cannot De
excelled by anything yet invented or advanced. In
fact, il is the event Of the nineteenth century,
IL revolutionzes the whole theory of naval war
fare, and az long as its use is confined to our own
navy 30 other power in the world can be successful
no matter how many or what class OF lron-ciad hPs
may be brought against US.
IL can be applied to any ship in the service at O
comparatively nominal expense, and when SO applied,
even the Monitor or New Ironsides would be, when
opposed rs helpless as were the tumberlahd anu
Congress when attacked by the Merrinac.
Our captain chief engineer and other officers have
examined it, and all concur in pronouncng II per-
feet success; and the captain has detached the
inventor from the ship and ordered him home with
bis plans TO report in person to the Navy Depart
ment. Mr.. Whitaker will probably leave on Il o
10th inst
Needing no experimental trial, and the time re-
qured Cor iis construction, application and readiness
for action not exceeding three weeks lator IN any
of our navy-yards we must soon hear OF is accept
ance by tho Government and certain proofs OF It's
utility. The nsvies Of the world must disappear be-
fore this new and terrible opponent, while through
its aid the Union will be restored and the nation
take her proper place director Of the affairs OF the
world.
We shall be very sorry TO lose Mr. WHITAKER,
who is thorough gentleman and universally liked
by all his messmates; but when we consider the im-
mense benefit il will be TO the Government 20 have
the immediate use Of his invention, are reconciled
to the loss of his society and sincerely wish him all
success in lis mission.
We have been lying hero for three months watch
ing the Sumter, who ia dangerous in spite OF her
best teeth having been extracted, but we hope soon
10 DO relieved by the Tuscarora, that We can take
more active part in the
Inclosed l send you a list of the officers Of the
Kearsarge, in the order OF their rank.
HAPPY in being the first to announce this impor-
tant discovery through your columns
remain yours. &C., y l.. NJ.
LIST OF OrTIcEks commander, Chss w. Pickering
lieutenant and III Officer, Ihos c. Harris; Surgeon John
Brown; Chief Engineer Wm. II. Cushmani lt Assistant
James w. Whitaker; Assistant Paymaser. Adams Smith
Acting Masters, James W. Wbe.ler y. NJ StoidArd d. II
Summers I'd Assistant Engineer WIN. H. BadAun; 81 Assist
ant Ensneer Frederick l.. Miller Sidney Smith, Henry
Mcconnell, Acting Midshipman. Edward T. PEBBLE Bos,s-
vain, James c. Walton, Masters Mates William II. Yeston,
Charles II. Danforih Ezra Bartlett.