The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1862-11-18
- IS 5s2
"a wEsrErs RrvrR SERVICE.


Total. Iii 40, 4Jb
Notwithstanding the whole number Of yes
sells in the Nary Register for the last year
was only eighty. the present number, inclu-
ding those now building. Is no less than CSC
forming naval establishment Of surpri-
sing magnitude and scarcely ever surpassed
by the efforts of single nation. OF tho AZ
grcgatc PSI are steam and l-5 sailing yes
sells
~ before noted the large proportion @ {
iron clad boats. mostly carrying from two TO
four guns. is n prominent feautre, and the
expenditure involve must form a consider
able item in the fiscal accounts OF the Gov
eminent, il becomes important To know
whether this arm OF the national defense is
being excessively developed or may not
provea false reliance. IL is proper to oh
serve. then. as helping to determine the rel
ati,c value Of stone. wood and iron in reefs
ting tho force of prolectiles. that n numerou
| fleet OF wooden steamers ran the gauntlet of
the forts below New Orleans almost un-
harmed. Bearing this fact in mind. is il
certain that money can not be expended
more ludciously than by building lumber
less Monitors We have heard a naval off.
Ger of high repute-onc who has exchanged
many hard shots with the rebels from the
deck of his avorite stcamer-assert that
SIXTY guns can be efficiently mounted as
| floating batteries. whcro we now produce but
| q single Monitor.
Ii this Is susceptible of proof. il is an i'm
| por,ant fact. The plan which seems special
~ to eommnd itself 10 the exigencies of the
present time. IL substantially seen in the
steamer Nsagatuck. built BY MIR. Stevens.
OF Hoboken. which Is little nore than an
| ordinary boat constructed with compartments
so that the whole may be quickly submer
ged 10 the water line for action, or pumped
out and put IN condition for fast sailing
| This plan dispenses with the necessity for
| iron plating log bulwark OF soft wood
being good substitute, il l. economical. as
ordinary craft can be altered for war pur
poses az small expense. and easily restored 10
use for the purposes Of commerce: and ves
sells thus arranged can be Unanswered with
a celebrity impossible Of attainment Were
heavy planting Is employed These views
obtain favor among intelligent naval officers.
| and they commend themselves to ones CON-
mon souse. II they can be maintained,
their adoption by the Government will save
large expense, without impairing the eff
cheney Of our maritime defenses. and will
suggest the expediency Of directing larger
proportion Of the funds To the construc,io
Of vessels Of a heavier class. adequate 10
cope with the sea-soing steamers - much in
favor in Europe.
We have iDti nasiols that IN consequence
of the contracts for tho new Monitors being
awarded without accurate specifications IN
regard TO the size Of the armament 10 be IN
tFoduccd, unexpected della, Is caused in their
completion But irrespective OF tins. IL may
DC worthy Of consideration whether u = best
10 depend on this class Of vessel at al. rather
than impromtn gunbosss moleled alter the
Naaga;1e, which certainly possess some cx-
cellert qualities not attainsble In aay othe,
vay.-N Y. JoErssi ef CoHmrrcr