Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-03
MORNING LEADER.


The following proposition has made 70
the Secretary ofthe Navy, and, he respond
ing that he has no power to act in the mat
ter, we understand it is to be forthwith
submitted to Congress:
HoBokEx, Feb 2iIs5s
Hox. GIDEON WELLEs, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY. Sir see by the public press that
the Government is about TO construct sew
eral large sea-going iron-clad ships Of
war. These vessels are intended as IN
derstand, to be about the same length and
size as the Stevens Battery; and one Of
them now under contract with Mr.. Webb
Of New York, It is said, will cost s., ,000,-
900.
I propose to relieve the Government Of
all risk as to the success Of at least one of
these vessels by obligating myself to com
plete the Stevens Battery, and deliver her
ready for service, at the following terms,
viz.
l. That she shall be impenetrabie to the
most destructive missile fred from the
most powerful gun with It's ordinary ser
vice charge) now used in our own or in
any European naval service, TO be tried
upon her at short range-say go yards.
2 That she shall have greater speed
thsn any other iron-olad war steamer in
the world.
g. That she shall be more manageable,
and more quickly turned and maRGuvred
than any other large armed sea-going
steamer
f. That she shall have an armam ent
capable Of throwing q broadside at least
equal to that of any ship now ahoat.
g. That she shall be delivered TO the
Government complete and ready for ser
vice, within nine months from the time
the order is given, for the sum Of 81, ,5O0,-
900, but no payments viii be required un-
til she shall be ready for delivery; pro-
vided, however, that ;he performance by
me of these conditions is not to rest upon
Theoretical opinions, but (if desired) shall
be brought to practical tests the test Of
her sea-going qualities to be voyage to
Charleston Bar and back 10 New York
harbor
The conditions attached TO this offer, if
fulfilled, would make the ship the most
powerful and efficient war steamer in the
world, ata cost 10 the Government offar less
than that Of the Warrior or La Gloire, or
than that Of any other ship of the same
size and quality. She could also be COM
pleted in less than half the time it would
require TO build a new ship. If she should
prove failure the whole loss falls upon
me, and not upon the Government
Or I win transfer the vessel to the Gov
eminent as she now stands-having her
hull, boilers, engines, and machinery,
nearly all complexion her cost to me
(say S250,0O0) provided she is then
finished by them on my general plan. I
estimate she would then cost the Govern
ment in all 81, 000, 600
This arrangement would give the Gov
ernment the benefit Of the $500 600 here
tofore expended by them on the ship, and
which was relinquished by the action Of
the last Congress. As will be seen from
the last offer, l do not propose to make any
profit out Of the Government, but desire
the completion Of the vessel for the Ma
tional good, and to protect the reputation
Of my brother and myfelf from the dis
credit Of any failure, that she may be com
pleted on our plans, that we may net be
held responsible for the success fsthe
plans Of others
E. A. STEVENS.
P.s.-lf time is Of great importance to