New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-21
Naval Matters.
NAVAL vs.. MERCHANT srBAMRRs-LErrx1
FROM SPECIAL AGENT RUTHERFORD.

FROM SPECIAL AGENT RUTHERFORD.
Egw.YoRK Jan. %, IeeA
10 G. v. Fox. .sg. Nary D,pertmsa, Washisstos.
DEAR SIR: called this morning at III
o'clock at the Office Of Messrs Oiphant & Co.. mss.
chants engaged Ia the China trade at No. ia Pess1
street, for the purpose Of making the necessary -
9uries relative 10 the construction OF the enetsea
d the steamer Kin Ksng. and tho probability OF Lei
being allowed to test her speed with the GoTernnsa1
steamer Eutaw. On entering The Office, found one d
the partners OF the firm there, very refined and iat
lgent gentleman who received ne with due courtes.
stated 20 him that the Navy Department. was T.
sirous Of giving the public some tangible proof Of u
efficiency Of ito naval ,teaner,i that Mr. Dckersou
Of New.York had stated in the newspapers that Il
was concerned IN building the engines II the Kh
Kisng that the Department was DESTROYS Of learning
exactly how much he bad 10 do in he Ra;eri aud thai
II the machinery was constructed from drawings fsr
Iished BIZ him, or otherwise, the Navy DeparMouo
would be pleased TO try the vessels speed With that d
Government vessel The gentleman heard me throsgA
lis life than 20 be informed ne ives by the pspesa
that Mr. Dickerson claimed the coma ruction OF anS
portion OF tho engines OF the Kin kiang lie stated
First: That Ar; Dekerson had never at sny tine
been entrusted with the getting up Of tho drawings
any portion Of the vessels machinery.
Secondly; That Mr.. DickeTson had nothing whnteva
70 do with experimenting any portion Of the engines
the ship that be Is merely the agent present paleltso
81 the " sicke's cutoff" which introduced by NJ.
Baird without consultation with anybody.
10 The third ard fourth inquiries Mr. Ophant stated
thar would not DO Convenient for the firm 10 spare ~
vessel a. present ior trial trip; that there ohae
parties concerned with them who would have 10 -
consulted and that business requirements rendered
necessary send the vessel on her yoyae as soon -
possible furthermore dscoyered thai the siatemenl1
Of tue speed Of the vessel reported in the newspapers
rested soei, On Mr. DickeFsons assertion. No one a
board the ship except hmse Is known to have proved
that the vessel went certain distance in three hoa
Two OF the owners Of the ship Kept her time from
small distance at this side of the light ship the Be-
terry. and they both came within = minute in stating
that she that distance in the space Loa6
and thirty light minutes.
Curiosity tempted me to inquire whether Mr.. Dicks.
sons connection with the vessel known 70 ~
owners. The gentleman with whom conyersed w.
yory delicate tbs point and stated that he did -
wish TO enter into any details connected with sucA
matter; but when Informed him that the Goyernmerfu
interest, required that the truth should be toA -
stated that ha he'd never seen OF known Mr. Dekaeo
before the trial trip. except by reputation; that IA
Dickersou not invited by the owners 70 SO on -
trial trip that lie was seen IN the engne.room wsesc
ing the engines by the speaker for the first times -
on inquiry Il discovered that he the advoeeo
OF tire famous "Sckles cutoff"
/ might mention. incidentally. that Mr.. Baird -
gentleman who got up she engines OF tho ship b. 4
card IN ire Times TINS morning, confirming ths eaaa
statements IN this report.
think it would be advisable FOR The Department y
publish denial of the assertion OF Mr. Dickerson. ~
the Eataw and the tventy-seven doubc-enders Of ~
class are fefryboats II should be known that they ~
very large wheel steamers 80 feet long, IS To-
wide and u feet deep. The facs Of their having ~
at each end seems 30 be the only attributed
ferry boat possessed exclusively by them
The hin-kiaag. j might mention, Is avery handsone
vessel. and all reports agree IN stating that she CO
steam rapidly; but there 10 authenticated eydcuse
* al from anybody on bOsrd Ok the exact time made
her IL is believed. however that size make hfteee
knots an hour Sb Baird, il spanking OF her states
IA emphatic that the Introduction Of the Slce
les cutoff hss not been the cause Il the speed OF -
ship which mainly attributable 10 combination q
VeltTie4 Improvements" Honrs respectfully.
L. A. RUTHEgfoRn
Special A zen. Of tie Navy Depsrtnsas