New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-27
THE BANKS EXPEDITION.
Letter OF Charles II. lIaswclI.

Oar ,elegrsphic dispatches from Washington a
few days since referred 10 letter addressed 10 the
Hon. Secretary of War, from Chas H. Haswell OF
New.York, one Of tho Commissioners for procuring
steamers for the expedition Of Msor-Gen. Banks,
wherein he defends himself from the charge Ok neg
lect of duty, and gives in detail tho Disasters me.
with by the steamers If that expedition.
Since that period We have received a copy OF the
letter in question. 1t is herewith annexed IN fall:
NEw.YORK Jan. az. 1863.
ss. Tn con,equeuce OF the many and repeated alleys
tons that have made regarding tho steamers char
tered BY Mr. Corneu. Vanderbilt OF this city for service
der M.jorGen ~ F. Banks, declaring them 20 be rotten
and of uu.eawohy and the charge OF neglect
Of duty that has been made upon this gentleman. Com o.
Van Bun, aud y.e In tho charter aud survey of these
y..ye a,k to submit theHoowing statement in reference
to such y.'.s have met with disasters and delays
defect. OF hull. machinery. &C..
The Jersey Blue having been lately fitted with new
boiler parted OF s holding bolts In heavy
snd put into Hilton Head where from the injury done TO tho
ssanppr &C. by the boiler having been adTift, she wa
surye, declared proceed The bolt aud
ppe however there put IN repair aud she has suco
turned TO this port, aud .s now ready for service.
II any the members OF the Commission to Do held
sporslbo for this rupture OF bolt ia upon myself alone
Of either MI Vanderbilt Com. Van Brunt to decide
the fitness or capacity of tho vessels Ia such detail this
discharged my duty. however. In th as considered, as
looked 20 II the boiler sufficiently baced could
not discover defect IN tue structure Of the iron By glance
at Is outside and trust am not TO be held responsible fo
not deciding upon the sbouo resistance Of piece Of metal
by visual on animation OF its exterior surface.
I? The aincoy put ins Hilton Head 70 repair blister Ia
ono II her lrnsces defect boiler, rolled
plates aud ono which very difficult Of Dissection unts the
part Ia. been ,ubectedt continued hea She there
surveyed docaed DO sesworhy, and proceeded Lor
voyage, arriving safely.
In this case again. II the responsibility re.ts with The
Comm.sl tho party resPonsbis but When IL s consd'
cred ha. the defective plate had pas,ed through tho hands OF
tho and been subjected to the Inspection Of the
engineer of tho vessel In all its manipulation. to conform TO
the furnace not sncae being hold dorvlict Of duty In
not discovering an Invisible defect.
D. The N,g.s pat into Tia, Beakwster al the Delaware,
ported eAkas aud rotten from ~boace shs projected to
Piiadepha whore shc surveyed aad a. Transport
condemn ID.
Al the time tuy attention diI ectsl TO this vessel
selected fo seyes the Expedition the demands upon NY
pe In the examination of ,hrty other steamers an
lilo time Involved IN detailed reports their condition, In
,mstos h, drafts OF watot-ght aud osdoda ID theis
pacss Tor troops stores &c. was wholly imP''cs'ct1'
n 1--WE the name Of tnis vessel fail examination and re
lied upon the following element, for my sudAncei
Ih.d syea her critical survey ia July lat since wheI
lo owner assured ne lad expended eight or nin
bousaud an. upon her Ia Isqar Ao ard she had lately
bean d,t. a v.h new boiler required new snd large
inJ.ver epi ,leop TIRE nrS bge Tawg for her, wleA he