Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-12
TuERE appears to be no longer any reasonable ground

THERE appears 10 be longer any reasonable ground
for doubling the report that the ronclsds had left Bea
fort Harbor n O., ard gone to Port Royal Harbor
South Carolina This is distinctly stated by CORES
pondeDt Of the New York J1mes writing from Pnrt
Royal under date OF jan oath. who announces the ar
rival there Of the Ironsdes and also Of the Mon
tauk, and Passsic TIE Weeha.eken and Nohn,t were
to follow and it is believed that the Patopsco has since
gone to some point South of Cape Fear.
The correspondent leans to The idea that Savannah,
which is supposed to be the least fortified city, will be
the frat port of attack although some insist that they
know that Charleston is to be the first point to which
latter opinion subsequent revelations appear to have
given considerable appearance of strength.
The following goes fully to confirm our own informa-
ton previously published and in accordance with the
opinion we lad formed from studying the brd of the
Monitor batteries. They not sea-gong vessels
they cannot operate in smooth water, and will
hardly prove so formidable against selcoast deeDces
might have been supposed. At no time since their
rival in Southern waters would they have had full day
in which they could have safely approached Fort Gas
well or Fort Fisher. The correspondent says
And here may az we'll disabuse the public mind,
by the testimony of Commander Worden, which be-
eve is concurred in by Commander DraytoD, If any
going qualities of these inventions of Mr. Ericsson
Both vessels towed here, the by the Rhode
Island and the other by the James Adger and the wind
during their voyage at time heavier than what
the sailors call double reefed topsa breeze In this
comparatively moderate seaway the vessels labOred
great DEAL consequence of their pecuier mode of
struction. Without entering upon the details of their
build with which every body ought to be familiar
from the often pubi shed descriptions shall OILY state
thai the overhang of the upper vessel beyond the
lower, or hull proper affords immense surface for
the water to act upon. AS the vessel is lifted by
and falls again, this Oyerhang strikes
upon the water with laundering thud, causing ter
rible ar and strainng the where the upper and
lower vessels boed together to such extent that
in the case of the Montauk water rushed through
Possibly better IDEA might be formed of the character
of this shock, by supposng one of our Brooklyn ferry
boats to be caught n sea way where the waves would
have power to strike under the cabins either side
which always project several feet the bull This
'overhang then, as understood In nVersaton with
Commander Wordcn, while permitted to inspect
his vessel nsuperable obstacle to safety heavy
sea- and brings him the conclusion that Monitors
only fit for harbor deenccs and smooth water navga-
ton.
the general arrangements OF the vessels which might
have been obviated had Mr.. Ericsson been as much
skilled in scamanship as he is n mechanical SCIENCE.
One cannot help feeling. after looking carefully through
these cads, and listening TO what officers say that
their construction the inventor los sight of every de
sdCratum hut IpvunCrabty That be has attained that
nobody prctenls TO doubt bat at the expense of most
the comforts and the Convenences for the enjoyment OF
which many OF tho officers and would he willing
f necessary, to incur slightly additional risk. In
view ol the cramped space these queer looking
innovations upon naval architecture, and the IN
pcnsanncss o living board OF them there is good
deal of reason. | am inclined TO believe, in what The
grim old veteran, Admiral Dupont. lsrgbipgy said tho
other day that as MIR. Ericsson had made these iron
clad machines he should make iron mon to 6ght them.
The Admiral who has all his life trod the oop deck
aud gazad scornlnlly down from that emuence to thu
suhservient race below, is utterly at loss, imagine
to realize the immense revolution in the naval sCrvlc
Which makes little Castle Garden ralt,' tbs
sailors the Wabash designate the iron clads. for
midahc opponent FIR the magnificent Irgatc hcaid
which they hnmhY lie"