The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-12

suited, without exception. gave decided opn-
ION against the proposed engines, and confident
~ predlctcd-what was most unfortunately re-
allzed-that they would prove complete failure.
They were strongly opposed by the then Engi-
neer-in-Chief Of the Navy and by his immediate
predecessor-both of great experience and the
highest professional standing and by the en-
tire corps of naval engineers. They were not
recommended by any engineer in civil life, and
were the common topic of ridicule in engineer
ing circles by the terms of the contract the
contractors were to furnish the necessary draw
ings and directions for the entire machinery, TO
supel1ntend the construction of the same, and
TO grant the use of their patents on that vessel.
The work was to be done at the Government
expense in the shops of the, Washington Navy
Yard. The contractors had thus the public
purse and the finest shops in the countryat their
command. Nothing was wantingt to the produc-
tion of perfect engine but knowledge on the
part of the contractors of how to make it. Now
was repeated second edition of the operations
with the Detroit engine. The machinery was fin
ally completed after undergoing many modifca-
tons, large and costly portions, owing to blum
ders IN the design, having been thrown away
and others substituted, all being done at the
Government workshops and at its expense.
For instance: the screw propeller was intend
ed to be a two-bladed lifting one, in order that
1t might be hoisted out OF the water when the
vessel was under sail alone; and it was also in
tended that the maximum revolutions of the
engines should be eighty per minute, the pitch
of the screw being made sufficiently small to al
low that speed. The contractors, however, as
their work progressed, lost faith in the designs
they had advocated with SO much assurance,
and in order TO make their machinery practical
Bile, increased the pitch of the screw enough to
reduce the speed Of the engines to q maximum
of forty per minute.
This required corresponding increase in the
surface of the screw, which was now brought up
TO the preposterous diameter of is feet, inch
es, and the number of its blades increased from
two to four. 1t could no longer be hoisted out.
of the water, nor even applied to the stern of
the vessel, until that too had undergonea change
to receive it; the key, likewise, having to be
greatly deepened, increased tby the amount add
ed) the vessels draught OF water - already
maximum for seryice-and decreased her value
and usefulness to the same degree.
This change in the screw = which was abso-
lutely necessary to allow the engines to function
at all-after it had been made, required it to be
thrown away, together with its costly hosting
apparatus, all of brass. and large portion of
the shafting. To make these expensive changes
the vessel had 10 be taken into the dry dock of
the Norfolk Navy Yard, and the stern and keel
altered 10 suit the new screw.
They were resisted strenuously by the Bureau
of Construction, but without effect. The efforts
OF Messrs Mallory and Yulee, who openly ex-
ertcd on this occasion all their political influence
even TO the extent of menace, prevailed, and
the Pensacola was delivered into the hands of
Dckcrson to do with her as he pleased.
Owing to the ignorance and inexperience of
the contractors in designing steam machinery,
the drawings were so slowly furnished, and the
b,unders IN them were SO numerous aud involved
SO many alterations that, notwithstanding the
great facilities of the Washington Navy Yard in
tools, materials and mechanics for this special
kind of work, it was not until January 3, 1862,
that the trial trip was made; the long period of
two years and nine months having been con-
sumed in the completion of the machinery, or
about three times longer than should have been.
During this period there were long intervals
in which neither drawings nor directions were
furnished, and it seemed as though the contrac-
tors had abando1ed the work which was conse-
quently suspended, notwithstanding that the
Bureau of Construction repeatedly wrote them,
complaining of the unnecessary delay, and urg-
ing them to proper fulilmenf of their contract
but in vain; and il itprobably never would have
been completed: and, like the Detroit engine,
never offered for trial, had they not employed
Mr.. farron, formerly an engineer in the Navy,
10 take il in hand and finish it; and 10 him is
due whatever merit there may be in getting these
engines to work at all.
The cost of the Pensacola's machinery was
S32s 400, its weight is $40 tons, and, together
with its coal, it occupies IL feet more of the
length OF the vessel than was guaranteed, and in
that increased space there are carried only 20
tons of coal, or sufficient for barely six days
moderate steaming, instead Of eleven days, as
ii should have BEEN
At the time of the contract for the Pensacola 3
machinery was given, others were awarded for
the Lancaster's and Hartford's vessels of the
same class and type, and substantially of the
same size. The machinery of the Lancaster
cost SlS7 800, and weighed 246 l-2 tons. That
of the Hartford cost STA 400, and weighed 200
tons. These vessels have a maximum speed OF
y md fho x.rsfrt mall
allotted coal enough for eleven days moderate
steaming. They were promptly completed, and
have ever since been in constant use, always
ready and reliable; while the only steaming
done by the Pensacola was from the Washington
Navy Yard to New Orleans, which city she
reached with difficulty, and with her miserable
machinery in SO unreliable condition as to
bring forth report from her chief engineer to
the admiral that he could not count ON its serv-
ices in getting up the river.
Since that time she has lain at anchor in front
of New Orleans as hulk or floating battery,
and has been entirely useless as a steamer, not.
withstanding the pressing need of her services
on the blockade, and the efforts Of her Chief En-
gincer.
A few months since Dickerson assured the
| Navy Department that the Pensacola's machin.
cry was the finest in the world, and that ths
whole difficulty lay in the want of capacity O
her Engineers, against whom-as they are Ma
ised that if the Department would place the ma
chinery in his hands, he would send ou
| those who would soon demonstrate its perfection
and the Department took him at his word
The vessel was handed over to his agents with
instructions that every facility which the larg'
squadron at New Orleans and the machine shop
of that city could afford, should be placed a
his disposal.
No expense was spared, for the services of th'
vessel were urgently needed, and even if me
diocre performance could be obtained, il would
| be great benefit.
The work went on and was at last reported
| eady for a trial Much time had been consumed
great deal of money expended and large prom
ises made. The result appears in the report of th
fleet engineer of the squadron, Vim. ii. Shock
| who was ordered by the Admiral TO attend ant
report on the trial, which was made wholly b,
Dickerson's agent without interference from tb
naval engineers. FROM that report, date
New Orleans, Sept lltI, 1868, the following ex
| tracts are taken:
'In obedience to your order (the Admiral's y wa
present during the late trial of the machinery Of tn
Pensacola on the sth, for the purpose Of making
| report Of the results
| Mr.. Cameron (Dickerson's AGENT for the last 81,
or eight weeks has had exclusive control of the re
pairs and adjustment of the machinery, and has Ia
bored most assiduousy. having AT his command al
the ia -ilites that could be afforded him on board
the snip. and elso such as he required from shore
lie also reset aud adjusted the valve motion ant
other portions of the marhnary that were calculated
to improve its efficiency, and on the sth made tn
trial. Mr.. Cameron informed me that she exceeds
his expectation on the trial. from which infer tina
I he could have anticipated but little. Nou will oh
serve that the expenditure of oil for the short per
cd under way wasl6 gallons aud that the tempera
ture of the engine ranged from iss TO ll2 dc
degrees,
Ihe remarks fC. j are q copy of the regular steam