The Portland daily press., 1864-06-16

Ger went to sea in tow of steamer in the
same way as all Monitors generally make
their sea voyages. Near the Capes OF the
Delaware, perceiving the approach OF storm,
Commodore Rodgers sent his conpanion to
the nearest port, determined to remain at
sea himself to test the Monitor under these
circumstances.
In his report he praises the qualities of the
Weehawken observed by him during the
storm. The other Monitors have repeatedly
made sea passages during the tempestuous
winter time. Out of their number only the
FIRST Monitor was lost, and that from causes
more or less accessory.
After this we have the intelligence Of the
action on the Ogeechee against sand batteries !;
the distance was from 400 to 600 fathoms, inn
pediments preventing nearer approach ;
several other vessels armed partly with NOR
tars participated in the action. The fortifica-
tions were completely demolished, though re-
paired during the night. The absence of land
forces prevented the driving the enemy out of
the forts, as Ahe execution OF the artillery
alone, at a distance OF 400 fathoms was in-
sufficient for tnat purpose. One of ihe ene-
/ my's cruisers, the Nashville, attempted to
break through the Monitors, but a 15-inch
shell decided her fate.
Thereupon follows the attack on Fort Sum-
ter: careful study OF this affair shows that
the injuries sustained by Monitors were more
or less OF a light character. Many weak points
were discovered, also many defects requiring
alterations on the vessels already built, and
some changes in those that we're ia process of
building but the main principle on which the
I system OF building these vessels was founded,
came out of this effective trial with complete
triumph.
I The next trial was, of real naval character,
4 combat between two iron-clads the monitor
Weehawken against the Atlanta. On both
4 sides much was expected from the issue of this
battle, but almost the first shot from the l5-
inch gun OF the Weehawken decided the affair
! in her favor.
The Monitors continue to play, il not the
Z principal, still however an important part at
the seige of Charleston. Continually exposed
/ to the fire Of the enemy for several months,
they obstlnately occupy their position in an
almost open roadstead, maintaining a success
ful blockade of Charleston; all these circum-
stances certainly speak great deal more for
the usefulness Of the Monitors than against
them. The last accident to the Weehawken,
which unexpectly foundered In the midst of a
whole squadron OF similar vessels, while at an
anchorage at which those vessels have remain
ed SO long time with impunity, is not inves-
tigated, and it may be well onlyIshow that
these vessels require particular precautions
and care, and that 1t is impossible 10 treat
them as common vessels.
edge we have of the Monitors.
In Russia, the Navy Department in the per-
son of his Highness,the General Admiral and
his nearest assistants did not cease to follow
from che beginning the trials of armored ship
building in other States, but with prudent
caution it was decided not to do anything, un-
I'll The new vessels had been sufficiently tested.
In consequence, after the first battle between
iron-clad vessels in America, the Navy De-
partment immediately sent out there several
officers belonging to different branches Of the /
naval service, TO study those new vessels on
the spot. Those persons fulfilled the commits
sion with which they were charged in the 4
most successful manner. Their reports con-
frmed the Navy Department in its conclu- /
sions that out OF all known systems of iron /
clads the Monitor was preferred for our coast
defences, especially in our shallow waters. The .
protection of Cronstadt, our principal naval /
port, an object OF constant and particular So
licitude OF cur Navy Department, presents I
besides such local convenences for the use Of I
those vessels as cannot be found everywhere. 4
In consequence of all this, several vessels were
commenced on the exact model of the Aneri- 4
can Monitors. These vessels destined exclu- !
sively for the protection of cronstadt, rapidly I
and successfully move TO completion. All the 4
Improvements, the necessity OF which has been
proved by experience in America, will he in \
troduced on our vessels, and ii is expected |
that those vessels will be a very effective and !
necessary addition to our land defences Of
Cronstadt.
At the Same time the Navy Department did
not neglect to adopt all measures to provide
the new vessels with the most perfect artillery,
and we hope that our single turreted vessels
representing the exact copy of the American
Monitors, will be srmored with formidable ar
tiilery, combine all the new improvements,
aud give satisfaction to all the demands of
contemporary military science.
In addition to this, we did uot stop on one
system exclusively. With prudent calcula-
ton, concentrating all our efforts on means
exclusively defensive, we shall have az the
same time, besides the Mentors, few IRON
clad vessels representing models of all the
principal systems now in use, and which
could be adopted to our exclusive and local
condition.
In conclusion, we may say weihave before us
an extensive and vast road for the further
study OF this question, and investigation OF
these improvements which are called forth by 4
numerous imperfeclions Of all the systems
OF iron-clad vessels, known at the present
time.
In examining the reports OF the Captains of
the Monitors which participated in the bonn
bardment of Fort Sumter, knowing exactly
the kind OF battle the Monitors were engaged
in, the injuries received by them, and remem-
bering that notwithstanding severe concen-
trated fire from the numerous southern forts,
the federal fleet had only one man killed and
two wounded, we come inevitably to the con-
clusion that the attack on Charleston posi-
lively proves the Monitors capable TO com
pete and probably with chances OF success.
with the best iron clad vessels OF the French
and English nayies.
1t is true that, from injuries received Ia this
battle, the keokuk was sunk, but II must not
be forgotten that having been constructed on
different system, she was fastened imper-
fectly in comparison with her companions,
the injuries OF which, though important, were
for the most part of such character as will
be easily provided against on the Monitors I
that are now being built in our yards and fac
tories.
For, instance, on board the vessels that par
ticipated In the action OF the Ith April, 1868,
a great many bolts that fastened the turret
plates were broken. In the pilot houses and
turrets, where there was no inside iron sheath
ing, the Captains and the men at the guns
were exposed TO great danger from the nuts
and ends Of bolts rebounding inside; those
nuts and pieces Of bolts falling between the
foundations of turrets and decks, prevented
the turret from revolving: the fire OF the
Monitors also was not SO very effective from
continual stoppages OF the guns. Finally
there was some few more or less important
defects and errors.
A well considered new system of fastening
iron plates in turrets, taken from experience,
large iron ring covering the space between
the lower part of the turret and the deck, and
the inch cast steel gun are the means from
which we expect great deal.
Notwithstanding the defects Of the Ameri-
can monitors, the strength shown by them
during the bombardment is truly astonishing
The Southerners were firing from guns of the
heaviest calibres at distances which probably
were carefully measured before the commence
ment ofthe action, these distances being small
er than hall the distance of an ordinary point
ing fire, and yet not one of the monster
charges penetrated the turrets; the strongest
experience of this Kind was sustained by the
passaic and whnf Nvas tho rns,,lt A oh,,