The New York herald., 1862-12-07
OUR RoN-CLAD NAVY.


splendid Debut Of the yesseis-Enth"-
siasm Of tho ents, NC.
Yesterday morning the Whitney battery Keoksk was
successfully launched from the yard OF s. Underh AZ
the Dry Dock Works, foot Of Eleventh street east
river Notwithstanding the inclemency OF the weather
and early hour Of the morning. there was very large
assembage ladies gentlemen present 70 witness
the interesting ceremony.
II is fact not generally known that only on one occa
son previously have vessels intended for such SPECIFIC
purposes been launched at the hour ON tho same
day We refer two Of the Collins steamers-the A.
,antic and Pacific They, however, were intended for
peaceful purposes while the two iaunched yesterday are
for the more stern realities OF war
Owing 10 some unfo circumstances, the Keokuk
did not promptly obey the will OF the master worsmen
and to save time and tide small tug hooked on to hor
and gave ncr start and feeling the impulse she start
ed at first gradually, and in very few seconds she
gathered way and sld of with increasing rapdty until
she reached her native element
The general opinion that she would submerge
considerable portion Of after deck; but this con-
lecture fell 70 the ground for the water did not rise
up to the line from which the angular sides fall in II
was truly magnificent launch, and the multitude gave
vent their congratulations repeated rounds Of cheers
She foaed in the gracefully duck, and won
for herself the admiration Of all who witnessed her mar
riage with the dark and cold water
Mrs. Whitney the lady Of Mr.. G. W. Whitney, her pro-
jector, becoming and graceful language baptized her
the Keokuk Admiral Gregory Captain John Rodgers, OF
the Weehawken, Commander Rhnd and large punber
| OF naval gentlemen were present. .
After the launch the inVited guests preceded to the
shop the Dry Dock Iron Works. where bountful re-
past was spread out for them 1t being duly cared for.
good time was had In speechmaking, after which Mr.
Underhll presented to his foreman Mr.. Neil Creary,
beautiful magic watch attached to which elegant
chain key thus ended the exercises Of the day
The following description OF this novel vessel,
which ere long destined TO play prominentpart in the
history OF the the records Of the dongs OF this
| iron clad fieet:- ac aeaa mt
| The Keokuk, or Whncy's battery, is not only two
turreted vessel, but is also formidable ram she
smaller than the Ericsson Monitors, being hundred
and fifty feet inches ALL including the ram,
which Is Eve feet long She has beam Of thrtysiK
rect with depth hold Of thirteen feet six nohes and
draws feet Of Her sides slope inward at an
angle Of thirty degrees to shed the eneys shot,
She built Of iron and her armor extends nearly -four
feet below line The horizontal deck is Ave feet
| above the water line.
Her propusive power is furnished by two propelers
| and two engines Of 1ve hundred horse power.
The hull of the constructed Of halfinch rolled
iron She three keelsons running the whole length
Of the vessel fore and aft buIkheads leaving on
each side space and forming inner skim which would
probably keep the water in the event Of the outer
skin being pierced shot, In addition to these she has
two bulkheads-one forward and aft-which can be
filled with water, TO settle the vessel down while In
action These can be filed in fifteen minutes and pumped
out forty In using the should the vessel
be wrenched to cause leakage, the compartment
alluded TO would preserve the vessel from sinking The
vessel is submerged one foot by the appliance Of these
| water tanks
trnu,a fha IN 1A
three psrts pierced in each turret They weigh each
forty TONS and built q groundwork OF halfinch
rolled plates like the hull covered with bars or iron four
inches thick standing edgeways placed and quarter
inches apart tho interstces being filled with yellow pine
Over this three plates each veeighths Of inch
thick-the whole structure boed together with and
eighth inch bos with countersunk heads foot
apart The turres therefore, six and quarter inches
thick. Each turret to have three ports with heavy
shutters working in two halves port each side
and one forward and a Each turret will have eleven
inch gum carrying hundred and eighty pound shot
Thssc guns revolving sdes which placed on
oor twenty inches below level Of the deck, thus
giving greater height TO the turrets, which twenty
In diameter at the base fourteen foet ~ the top
being shapedand eight feet eight inches high Tho
turrcts are additionally supported within by bars Of vs
by inch iron set odgcways, fifteen inches apart and
the ports made sufficiently large to give the guns ten
A degrees vertcAi anu eignt degrees iatcrai range
Tho ruddcr propeller guarded BY ovsrhangiDg
structure and wrought onguard the after part The
ltsle vessel win carry hundred all told and has
capacity in her two magazines for hundred eleven
inch shot, and hundred and fifty eleven-inch she'll
! with shrapne and canister, small ammunition and pow
der in proportion. She admirably calculated for
river work hight draught easy guidance by
OF two propelcrs, fitting her especially for intricate nav
CATION. Her builder is confident that, though in some
respects novel in construction she will be found shot
proof and ser yceabs any, the and complete
with which he has applied every precaution and
multiplied for offence and defence, give hopes OF
most efcient boat Mr. Whitney Of the earliest
70 urge the proprty Of building shot proof feet, and
his studies In the question, we'll as his knowledge Of
| the qualities Of iron, give his opinions weight.
The ventilation Of tho vessel has been carefully attended
TO- and the accommodation the officers and win
1 be Of an excellent character
In many points the details OF this vessel new and
interesting For instance the entire lower portion OF the
OF the turret be thrown open 70 admit light and
air and course eeot the expulsion Of foul air. and
there being passage each side of the vessel
nlcatiug from one ihS other constant circua
tou Of air s kept up without artificial means, although
snch means ase provided and which will. in the opinion
Of many render the vessel point CT ventilation second
| 10 none.
She viii bo hurried to completion rapidly posi-.
BILE and viii be commanded oy Commander Rhind United
| states Navy
LAUNCH OF THE CATsxrLL. TX
Tho Ericsson battery Catk successfully launch he'd
from the yard Of v Rowland Continental Iron Works.
Greenponi, yesterday morning, at prcssely half past
nine O'Clock This Ia the fourth ironcad battery Mr..
Rowland built for the government the original Moni
| tor having been The nrst.
The launch Il the Keokuk did not seem 70 aness Tie
attendance OF spectators 10 witness the debut Of the
CatskilI, and large party carly the ground.
Owing 70 patentarranscmcat tho vessel started
her slippery ride scsn a. the word can ready was
given and gracefully she entered her destined element,
| amid tho snthusastic cheers Of the spectators.
Tho following are the dimensions and description Of the
| vessel
Length over 200 feet
Beam. 20 feot
Dspth Of bold ~ ieet
Draught OF water, equipped ~ teet . IN
Launching dfhught. ~ tect v IN