New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-29


Pascal OuIre, the gun-boats Mississippi Merceita
md bark kinpieher; at the Soutd.Wert pass the
frisaie Colorado; az the souih-Fast Pas. the Niu-
ceiner, excellent force, and peri city able 10
Withstand any demonstrations Of tie oatterrg rams
and steamers Of the rebels.
During TIE Light of tie 9Th the gunboats Winona,
NeW.Lnudon, and Massachusetts left on an expodi-
ton up Mississippi Sound, hoping that they might
coax he rebel steamers Florida aud California uio
an engagement, alec, TO block the outer channels
above referred TO. They returned the following
night not being able TO accomplish what they intend
Ell. The destruction Of these steamers Is consum-
nation deyoutly to be wished IA they capable OF
doing great damage. To give you an idea of the
size of the Florida and California aud their ability
10 damage an enemy, ] append tue particulars OF
their dimensions: The Florida il propeller, was
built ia NewYork in 1889, and formerly Piled be-
tween New-Orlems and Apalch.cola. She was
owned y the Apilachicola and New-0reans Steam
boat Company. Her hull was built By Mr.. 4. s.
Whitock, mud her machrey was constructed by Mr..
{. II. Dslamater, New-York Her length OF deck
Ii ITO feet; breadth OF beam, 81 feet; depth of hold
IL feet; drai Of water at load line, 10; tunuage, ZOE
tuns. She is tu Of the bert white oak and hackmeiac
aud is worry securely fastened She is fped witt
vertical dircotactng engine, having cylinder 80
inches in diameter, and stroke oi piston Of fee
inches. She is also supplied with one re-
tum iue boiler, located in her bold, and
does not nee blowers 10 her furnaces. Her
propeller il ~ feet inches in diameter. and e j.
msdo OF EAST iron. The California 10 not ouite 81
large az the Florida. az will be seeu Her length on
deck 10 Ia feet; breadth Of BEAM ~ feet inches;
depih of bold 10 feet inches; depth of hold 10 spar
leca, 10 eet d inches; draft Of water ut load lnc
Z iett inches; tunage, $50 tuns. Her frame Is
Of while osl and chestnut, aud il cross fastened
with copper and irenails. Her floors are uioliod
inches md sided > inches, aud her frames are -
inches apart at centers She is flied with = hsam
engine with cylinder 40 inches in diameter and a
stroke Of piston OF % feet. she is also supplied With
a ilue boiler, and her watcr-wheels. which are Of
wood are = feet in diameter. Her rig is that OF
schooner and her frames are not filed in soii. She
wac built ut Greenpoin J.. l., il tic year 1872 ty
Mr. Samuel Sneden, and her machinery was con-
druoed by the Aaire Iron Works. New.lork.
She was OWNED By ,Le'Florida Steam Packet Com
pany, and ran re ularly, mp TO tie time Of our trou-
bles, between the ports of Charleston and -. AT
CUISINE, Fla. Such are The rebel gun-boats. They
are armed with naed cannon, and each las q des-
poaie crew. Ii ia the opinion OF all that the sooner
they are sunk the better FOR NJ, ani Ill very
guine that il will soon he accomplished
The gunboat Sycamore arrived here on Sunday
last, at p. Sbe seems 20 be excelleu, vessel,
much better than many Others OF her class BUD, at
the zane time. During Der run to this place she
worked very satisfactorily, her engines driving her
at The rate Of nine, ten, and eleven knots without
any trouble whatever. Almost immediately after
hor arrival she wa ordered 10 Apalachicola, where
she will DO bockading duty. The Wiuons has also
left us bui for what place cannot say.
The new gunboat Scicta arrived here on the morn
ing OF the sh IN a helpless condition. In some uu-
accountable manner shc broke her connecting rod,
and new one will have TO be supplied before che
can be worth anything. A survey II now being held
upon her Ivy Engineers ioDg, McComO, and Roberts
Of thin vessel
Tie gunboA; Itasca, which aso had her connect
ing rod broken and her crank pin brasses ground up
in her passage this place has gone to Havana for
repairs. Whether the accidents 10 the machinery Of
these new gunbosts is the result of inferior work
the neiiciency Of their engineers cannot tell; but
it "a a matter which should receive consideration.
The steamer Water Witch has lef. under sealed
orders; her destination and business viii be given
you hereafter.
We had a heavy nosther on the night Of the 7th
but il was not Of long duration. AT the period Of
my writing il is extremely pleasant.
Engineers Dyin snd Scattersood have been or.
dered home for examination.
The boilers Of this vessel are in bad condition.
and viii require overhaulug very soon. From the
fact that giving our guns TO the new gnboats
as they arrive, it appears probable chat We viii
shortly leave for the North to make such repairs.
Tire time allotted for my writing has nearly ex-
PRED, but before closs allow to you that
tie rumor OF there being many Union-oying persons
in this section of the South 10 believed by many
here. Many Of the most intelligent and iutG-
entail Of the inhabitants have suffered every perse
cution that ever befel mortals, and have become
thoroughly sick and disgus;ed with the disastrous
results that have attended the rebellion and finding
no oophole for escape or opportunity for Is suppress
SION, they were very despondng, and all hopes Of
better things had died within them BIZ a whis
per from the Norh has reached them, telling
them Of the unanimity Of it's sentiment for tie safety
Of tho country and It's starry nag and they have
eaped with gladness. They have been convinced
that the lies Of Gen. JEFF. Davis and bis band of
pirates led many from the right path, and cau'ed
hem 10 embark in this suicidal crusade against the
National Government and they Affirm that as soon
~ an opportunity presented thousands OF their peo
pie thus dipped will strike blow at the power that
1pprepes them tia. will be terrible in IL form and
asting in it's effect.