The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-03-06
THE ERICSSON BATTERY. /.

hhh% hfshhNb'ON hA
TuE successful launch of the Ericsson
Battery at tGrccnpoint was announced yester-
day. \ description Of this formidable en-
gino of war has already been published in
Eecaing Post but the following account OF
its peculiarities is ofimmediate interest the
terms of the contract requiring that the bat
| terry shall be tried and proved before its
acceptance by the Government. This trial,
we understand will take place Immediately.
| The keel of the battery was laid on tho
22d of October last aud the work Of con.
struction has since been actively prosecu-
ted under the personal superintendent OF
of Capt Ericsson, The contractors were
John Ericsson john \. Griswo!d, john F.
/ Wins!ow, and G.. 5. Bushnell. The hull Of
tho battery was built by, Thomas F. Row.
land at The Continental Works in Greenpoint.
Long Island the engines at the Delanater
! Works the funnel at the Novelty Works;
the turret engines and gun carriages at
Messrs. Cln!e Brothers factory, in Schenec-
tady.
The vessel is sharp at both ends, and
consists of a lower and upper hull the side
OF the former inc lining at an angle Of fifty
one degrees, and coming to point at each
end at All angle Of eighty degrees. The
lower hull is iron plated. The upper acc
ton is five feet high, with perpendicular
sides, and the same sharp ends and is forty
one feet and four inches wide jutting over
the lower hull three feet and seven inches
ON each side. The sides of the upper sec
ton are little over three feet in thickness.
First, there is an inner guard of inch plate
iron, and upon this section of white ca;
timber thirty inches thick, aud covered
with an armor six inches thick, formed of
ak one-inch iron plates Tapped and firmly
riveted together.
The deck or top of the battery is oven
with the top of the hull, and is covered
with two thicknesses of inch plate iron,
fastened to eight inch oak plank and tell
inch oak timber, twenty-siX inches apart.
There is no railing or other obstructions
on the top Of the battery except q round
| tower or turrct, twenty feet in diameter, and
nine feet high. and eight inches thick. made
of platc-iron. The turret has two port
holes, each two feet in diametG- for two
eleven-inch coumbiads, and is also pierced
for musketry. The turrct is of immense
weight; but made two revolve by machinery
below, 50 as to bring the guns III any desir-
ed range and to remove the ports from tho
enemy's guns while loading. To support,
protect aLd give efficiency to this turrct is
the whole object of the battery, although
its immense weight and power would sink
any vessel with which it should come in
contact.
The battery is stcered from the front, tho
whcclhousc stands before the turrct. Tho
wheelhousc is strongly built of iron, and
can be lowered into the hold like bale of
dry-goolS. When lowered, the top, which
is bomb proof is level with and forms u
part of the deck. The joints are water
tight. The house will be pierced for sharp
t shooters.
The ends Of the upper vessel projecting
, over the hull, fore and aft, serve rs pro-
lection to the propeller, rudder and anchor
7 The propeller is, of course, at the stern, and
the equipoise ruddcr behind that, and they
: are so protected by the upper vessel that
they can not be struck by bah. The anch-
y or is in front, and is short, but very heavy.
: 1t is hoisted by chain running into the
hold, up into place fitted for it outside of
the lower hull. The entrance to the hold is
| by small hatchways, which, when closed,
form part of the deck, and are equally Sc
q cure.
Q The interior of the battery presents
, novel and interesting study. In the bow
are the cable and anchor chamber next the
, cabin and quarters of officers and men, and
: amidships the cook room, and overhead the
, swall engine which is to furnish ventilation,
!, and work the turret Just abaft are the
/ furnaces, and in the stern the engine work.
ing the propeller The hunks for coal, wool
4 and ammunition, and the water tanks, occupy
n every conceivable vacancy. The cabin is
neatly but substantially fitted up, and shows
, that it is meant for use more than pleasure.
, Taken altogether it would be impossible to
, imagine moro material, and that more sup
= stantial and serviceable, and at the same
time more perfect, i'll q smaller space than
, is embodied within this formidable engine
I ef warfare.
Of the efficiency Of the battery, great
n hopes are expressed. 1t has no vulnerable
q part save the portfolios, which are exposed
+ only for about half minute in firing. Its
4 sharp and massive iron Prov will enable it
| to sink any ordinary vessel with perfect
a ease. In case it is boarded no harm is done.
The only entrance is at the top OF the turret.
. which can not easily be scaled and even
y then, but ono man time can descend
! There are no places III the deck where all
entrance can be forced; so the boarding
, party may stand until the sea washes them
off, or the sharpshooters assist their de-
: parture 1t is claimed that it can steam in
TO any port, deliver its eifectual broadsides,
q and retire i'll safety.
: Tho battery is now about four feet
Above water, and weighs 100000 pounds,
With the addition of her armament, coal.
: water, and provisions, for a thirty days
I cruise, she will be but eighteen inches above
' water, and her entire weight will be 900
1 TONS Her two columbiads will carry round
/ balls weighing each 1873 pounds, or conical
balls of $50 pounds.--N Y. Epening Post.
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