Daily national Republican., 1863-04-16
The Monitors at Charleston.

To Ge Editors Of he NeW York Times feel
called upon to state, for the information OF the
country, that the imperfections of the Monitors,
shown by Admiral Duponts trial of their
strength at Charleston, are not of a serious
character. What has happened will be readily
obviated for the future. Everything connect
cd with our new fighting machines worked pre-
clsely as intended-not a single change Of plan
being called for. The pilOt-hOuso proving of
insufficient thickness was not an unforeseen Cir
Cumstance. The limited experience which we
have had in actual conflict indicated that eight
inches thickness would be sufficient, but 1t was
by no means assumed to be a settled point.
Hence such a construction was adopted that,
without removing the structure or changing Its
Interior arrangements, any number of addi-
tonal plates might be attached to the exterior
and its thickness increased to any extent, 30
with regard to the tuTrGt II is constructed OF
an interior skeleton 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
turrCts require incresed thickness, excepting
possibly, at the base. The public will do well
not TO be alarmed by the remarks Of ineXperi-
cnced observers who arc startled to sec the in
dentations produced by the enGmy's projectlles
We apply armor to keep out hostile shot, not to
prevent scars and indGntations. So far we
have fully succeeded. 1t will be proper to OBJ
tiles are utterly grOundless. There Is no class
of vessels in the navy that obey their helm SO
readily as the Monitors. The reason Is self
evident. The large equipoiBe rudder employed
Is acted upon by the powerful current from the
propeller with such force as TO change the
course of the vessel with the slightest motion
at the helm, In strong currents and shallow
water, as in Charleston harbor, no vessel can
be readily manguvred.
Admiral DupontB preliminary attack on
Charleston-the first practical test of IRON
clads-must be regarded as the most important
event in naval history. To this country the
gallant assault on Sumter by the new and un-
tried vessels, exposed to the terrible fanking
and Taking fire of numerous other forts, Is
fraught with inGalculable benefit. Whatever
may be the Interior object of Government, the
substantial advantage has already been secured
of knowing exactly what the iron-clads can
endure, and what remains TO be done to render
the new system perfect. II was high time that
a practical test was instituted, since VIC are
building a more numerous irOn-clad feet than
possessed by all Europe. The nation may
thank the commanders of the Monitors for the
knowledge gained through their gallantry.
With less daring on their part, the Navy Dc
partment would yet lack some information
necessary to direct the completion of the i'm
pregnable fleet now building. At the same
time the spirited attack on Sumter, and the
havoc made during half an hours contest,
warns the Confederate leaders that they must
have their numerous batteries fully manned, and
that they must not for a moment slaCken thGlI
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, as Charleston
now requires, to ward of the blow from half q
dozen small vessels, manned, pTOYisiOnod, AnC
coaled at less cost than an ordinary tirst-clas'
screw ship.
Yours, very respectfully,
j. Ericsson.
New York April IA, 1868.