Evening star., 1863-04-16
The Monitors at Charleston.

In a card issued by Captain Ericsson. he
says:
Everything connected with our new fight
ing machines worked precisely as intended
not single change Of plan being called for.
The pilot-house proving Of insufficient thick
ness was not an unforeseen circumstance.
The limited experience which we have aad in
actual conflict indicated that eight inches
thickness would be sufficient, but it was by no
means assumed to be a settled point. Hence
such construction was adopted that, with
out removing the structure or changing its in
terror arrangements, any number OF additiona al
plates might be attached to the exterior and its
thickness increased to any extent. So with re.
gard to the turret il is constructed of an in
terror skeleton OF cylinder composed of plates
firmly riveted together to which any number
OF plates may be bolted. 1t is by no means yet
established that our turrets require increased
thickness, excepting. possibly at the base
The public will do we'll not to be alarmed by
the remarks of inexperienced observers who
are startled to see the indentatlons produced by
the enemy's proiectiles. We apply armor to
keep out hostile shot, not to prevent scars and
lndentations So far we have fully succeeded.
1t will be proper to observe that the suppose d
imperfect steering qualities are utterly ground
less. There is no class OF vessels in the navy
that obey the helm so readily as the Monitors.
The reason is self evident. The large equipoise
rudder employed is acted upon by the power
ful current from the propeller with such force
as TO change the course of the vessel with the
slightest motion at the helm. In strong cur
rents and SHALLOW water, as III charleston
harbOr, no vessel can be readily maneuveret.
Admiral Dupont's preliminary attack on
Charleston-the first practical test OF iron
clads-must be regarded rs the mostimportant
event in naval history. To this country the
gallant assault on Sumter by the new and un-
tried vessels, exposed to the terrible fianking
fire of numerous other forts is fraught with in.
calcnlable benefit. Whatever may be the ul-
terror object Of Government, the substantial
advantage has already been secured of know
ing exactly what the iron-clads can endure, and
hatremains to be done to render the W sys-
tenn perfect. 1t was high time that practical
test was Instituted, since we are building q
more numerous iron-clad fleet than possessed
by all Europe.
The nation may thank the commanders of
the Monitors tor the knowledge gained through
their gallantry. With less daring on their part,
the Navy department would yet lack informa-
tion necessary to direct the completion of the
impregnable fleet now building. At the same
time, the spirited attack Sumter, and the
havoc made during the half an hours contest,
warns the Confederate leaders that they must
keep their numerous batteries fully manned,
and that they must not for moment slacken
their vigilance with Dupont and his Monitors
within half days sail.
The history OF war may be searched in vain
for an instance of such costly preparations,
kept up at such vast expenditure rs Charles
ton now requires, to ward off the blow from
half dozen small vessels, manned, rovisioned,
and coaled at less cost than an ordinary first
class screw ship.