The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-05-09

| sell They rise some eleven feet from the deck,
having an inside dpmeer Of twenty one feet ana
outside diameter OF nearly twenty three feet These
are built OF series OF iron plates layer over layer,
fastened together tightly making entire thickness Of
eleven Inches There two ports each turret fur
nishing apertures through which the heavy guns will
bech forth their destructive charges Tho shoppers for
the ports have been arranged that Immediately after
dischareug the guns they will close 80 accurately and
tightly Ms to present chance the OF tho
enemy's missiles Tho recoI Of the guns viii also be
broken by means Of an Ingenious CONVEYANCE and tho
ventlang apparatus Is ocntrved in such way that BY
turning tap, fresh supply Of atmosphere will rush into
the turres and drive OF the smoke almost
y. Above the turrets piothouses also built Of tho
strongest rou and protected overhead ty grating Of i'm
mense thickness. Each turret revolves around shaft
passing through its centre and resting tremendous
stanchoons going down 10 the very OF the vosse
Two engines are employed TO work each turre the reyo
utions Of which regulated by signals from persons
on the lookout in the pilothouses
Passing down TO tho second dock, the next point Of in
erest Is the captains quarters and tho OF the ON
Gers, which viii be quite spacious fitted up most
comfortable and tasteful manner, all shiugs considered
Here. ALSO ono afforded opportunity examine tho
ventilatng apparatus, which deserves passing notice
1t 10 worked By four engines and four large blowers.
which forco tho atmosphere into tube thirty
inches In diameter running tho entire length Of tho vessel
Al each side and communicating with anumber Of smaller
tubes 90 cearived vensts zach ssateroo. ana in
fact every portion Of tho vessel This arrangement is Of
che oomploest oharacssr ana tho supply OF easily
regulated BY Of tap, which has already been al
luded To when describing the turrets.
Going down still further into the bowels Of the monster
the visitor Ia brought little square hole Loading
into chamber, which, at first view very suggestive
OF che lower regions Notwithstanding and with the aid
OF lantern. II requires large degree OF careful navga
tion 70 avoid stumbling into manaps knocking ones
shns against bars and other unpleasant obstacles
Be that may the candles appeared be Of little
In lighting the way 70 tho chamber just alluded 70. One
Of our guides cautiously thrust bis candle before him. and
then lowered h body through the hole descended by
means OF o small iron ladder into tho chamber. Wefo
lowed, and reaching tho interior found ourselves
square ROOM and sitter becoming accustomed 70 the light
enabled to distinguish dmly character Of the
surrounding Objects This the passage way to
the magazine but would not be proper to enter into
details BY stating tho portion Of the vessel in which it
located or describing tho informal arrangements II is
enough 70 state that the magazine down far beyond tho
reach Of hostile shells and bullets Tho shell and
powder chsmhers lined with lead. and supplied
with cocks BY which they be flooded with water in
an Instant in Of IRE other accidents The work
menss connected with this portion Of the vessel OF the
very highest ORDER and reflect small degree OF credit
upon tho mechanics who have had charge OF It.
Tho next thing to be examined was the machinery,
which Is certainly Of excellent character This has
been supplied entirely from the Novelty Works In this
city and the very best quality OF iron has been used for
this purpose. Tho vessel has twenty engines-two
for propeng purposes six for managing the turres four
for the ventnatng apparatus and tho rest for mausc
turing fresh water for The other purposes Tho
rudder and propeller covered Win armor, which pro-
jsc from bsnsath the osuntsr Of the vessel protect
them from injury during engagement with the snsmy
Tho ram, which ID fastened TO the bow win 10 completes
" under wsacr whom the vessel is fighting trim Il Is
I've feet long inches thick and three et Deep the
whole teing administered or the best wrought iron.
Notwithstanding a the heavy iron platng, the weight
Of machinery turfsts, chains anchors &C., besides the
immense weight Of iron which she d 70 carry By way Of
ballast the Roanoke, when in acton will be shout eight
feet above the water line and win be capable Of high
degrees Of speed.
Before concluding sketch Of the vessel We should
auds 70 The Continuance or Mr. Taylor for capstsns
samson posts and cham shoppers, which apeer 70 be
slight improvement upon the old arrangements. II
DO OF interest repeat here asowhat has besn stated
In other sketehes Of the Roanoke published in this
paperthat her plates are four and half inches
in thickness. She almost ready for service some
weeks ago. but the gats Colorado having arrived here
In disabled condition. the boilers and Of the
chinery intended for the Roanoke lifted into the for
vessel In order 70 ouabs her to proceed on active
service. This has rendered the manufacture Of
boilers and machinery necessary and Is the main cause
OF the delay In her proceeding her trial trip.
pected however, that she will be entirely finished in
few days, when citizens will be gratined with
view Of this magnificent vessel ploughng through the
waters of our noble hay her first rIp Tho
manshp upon the vessel altogether reflects the highest
credit upon all the parties have contributed to her
construction.
The following list ofths ocers OF the United States
steamship Roanoke (iron cIad), six guns
Cdytain-Stephen c. Rowan.
Lieutenant Commander Chandler.
Lieuten0nt-S w. Nichols.
Surgeon-R. Woodworth.
Pdymas'er-J ID. Murray
Acting AaNers-P. J. Hargous, J. 8. French.
Marine OHceys-CaptainL n. Goldsborough
Ennnevs-Actina Chief s. y Savage Assistants, n. s.
Leonard. Henry C. Bye, J. Nc. K. Daniels Banks,
John c. Cross.
As yet not eli Of the officers have been ordered to her.
bat probably they viii DO during the week.
-----
Capture OF Five Valuable Prizes.
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UmrKp SrArs STEAMER On Soro,
orr KEy Wsn, Fla, April n, 1858. :
On tho morning Of Friday, ths Gath inst, while q
cruise Oh Mobile Bay captured the following sohooner,
vixGensrsi Prim Rapid, Bright and Jane Adela. All Of
them had the blockade Mobile during ths previous
night Their cargoes Of Gotten and turpsntine
They were bound for Havana wo placed prize
board and took the four vessels In tow FOR Key West.
Good luck appears 10 have joined for yesterday (Sun
day) morning az we were going 70 Divine service,
overloaded and captured the English schooner Cara with
W from Sr AZ soo ssr
also In tow She s In her proper placetnat II, In the
rear Of four rebel craft We viii give than al 70 charge