Litchfield enquirer., 1862-03-13
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l5ioThs recent naval contest In Hampton Road. is oue d tho most interesting events of the war It was not very extansive nor very decisive on aiynins yssssls ~srs engaged, and the result was . drawn battle, s2aa H r ....,t-,'S .e. p z but regarded as the first actual conflict of two itpa-clad yessels, trepreaenting respectively two pewlY devised systems of naval architecture, it Hil De studied with tbe greatest interest by mil iesrs enfineers throughout the world. In the ysssiIs of that pfotracted fight of five hours, X they vill find practically settled many questions Of naval construction and armament which have hitherto remained problems. t'-a s s7s. =, E'4 ' . Ever since Improvements in gunnery necessi sAsed iron armor as : corresponding defensive provision ih ships, the English and French have beet elaborating 2 new naval system, which may sbs called the European method. Their vessels ] srs nearly of the usual form and arrangement of parts, of great size, and constructed either of a wooden frame sheathed with steel plates like the Gloire, or of iron throughout like the Warrior. ThSir armament consists of from 30 to 50 guns, mostly riAed 100 pounders. The Merrimac an asered these conditions, having also the Ameri- can plan of deep immersion in the water. , The distinctiyely American method aims to sink the vessel as low as possible in the water, andTto have all exposed parts, both below and shove the water line, so contrired that the enc, my's shot can strike only on a curve, or at very obtnse anglo. For armament it proposes only one or too smooth bore guns, carrying an inn nense spherical wrought-iron shot weighing from l84 to 1924 lbs.* The Monitor was built on this plan, having its two lS4 pounders in a circular iron tower, g peculiar device of its in ventor, but quite in harmony with the American method. a& o "a a* 9
 The Merrimac met the Monitor, and for five hours rained upon her at short range whole hrosdsides from her riaed Armstrong guns of the best English construction, but the Monitor was uninjured. At long intervals her iron tower suddenly belched forth single shot against her huge antagonist. At last she crushes in the sides of the Merrimae, and the defeated monster
 
 ly tngs to remove her from the scene of action.
 The superiority of the American system k thu demonstrated. The sheathing of the Merrimac was as thick as that of the Warrior, and herguns exactly the same. Yet our Highest crushing-nis- sile broke her sides, and that too, probably, in way which must cause serious if no, irreparable injury to the ship. For sheatl'ng SO increases the te,,acisy of ships walls, that heavy shot instead of penetrating in single place, smashes in the raH stself for a considerable distance on each side ofthe concussion. Neither the Merri- mac nor the Warrior can any longer remain bug bears to trighten our people. One eighth of the cost of the latter ship will build vessel capable of successfully competing with her. The Merri- mac may be repaired, only to meet 2 similar ex- perience, but the Rebels will have neither time nor skill to build q ship like the Monitor. 'a :.
 At the same time, serious disaster and a lucky escape from 2 series of still more terrible disas ters, admonish us to remodel our navy, thorough ly and immediately, in conformity with ,moderr science. The cause both of peace and of trut economy is best subserved by the greatest possi ble efficiency of national defsnses. a.l 5sa
 -* An eleven-iuch balls weighs lsi pounds The largest guns now inluse carry Is inch ball. weighing about 436 lbs. but 1t Is intended tt arm our largest new ron-clad vessels if possibl. with 20 inch guns, of the enormous caliber of on, thousand and twenty four pounds i@ 4