The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-20
LAuNcu OF InoN-CLAD "mlNAyuNn."

TNCIIlEu scFNn ON THE E"htONONGAHELA"-THB
uON HoNsTEI, sATB IN HER PROPER ELEHEST
ANOTHER TRIUMPH OF rTrsBUHG SKILL.
The first of the iron clad monitors ordered in
this city, was successfully launched at twenty
minutes OF o'clock yesterday afternoon, from
the shipyard Of Messrs. Snowdcn & Mason, south
end Of the Monon gahela bridge. An immense
crowd was gathered at every eligible place along
the river on both Sides and the bridge and the
decks Of the steamers in port were black with
anxious spectators. The ManayiHk has been
ready to take her element for some time, the
delay being mainly attributable to an Inadequate
stage Of water.
There was a good stage yesterday, the river
being well up the banks, and reached within
few yards of the tremendous structure OF iron,
whose weight would crush massive column of
granite, but which now fUals like a chip on the
bosom Of the MOnongahcla Much delay has
occurred in her construction, owing to the original
plans, some rendered imperative by the defects
which led to the loss OF the original Monitor, aud
many Others tEat have been suggested during
the short but eyentful history OF this class Of
War-Yessels.
At the hour above named everything being in
readiness, the blocks under the ways were speedi-
ly and carefully removed. and just as the work
men were about TO take away the last block the
cables which held the vessel parted and she slowly
and m8jestiCally, amid the cheers of the assem-
bCd thousands, started for the river, increasing
her speed with mathematical precision until she
reached the river. When the stern struck
the water its,was partially submerged, the
| water reaching to amidships on the decks.
| When fully in, the vessel trimmed herself gayly
| and ran out into the middle Of the river, when
| she took a downward course for the foot of
| Liberty street, where she anchored and will
| be moOTed until completed for sea. AS the noble
| vessel touched the water, Miss Charlotte Il. Kirk
daughter of Mr.. j. S. Kirk the ACCOMPLISHED
| lui m n nor IF tI,
! bow, and chrstened her MdndyDlk. Notwith-
standing the large number of people present and
| the great interest manifested by all to be near
the vessel when launched, there was not the
! slightest accident.
| Description OF THE "NANAYUNK."
Our reporter was early on the ground, and while
there took occasion TO examine the vessel very
mnutcy, which resulted in the firm conviction
that no beter-built craft was ever set aflOat, 1t
| being, in his judgment, uneXceptionable in point
! of model, material, and workmanship. IL will
| be reCOeCted that the Mdnavtt1k is an iron clad
| war steamer of the monitor class, and only eX-
| celled in size and capacity by those naval mon
sters the Dictator and Puritan, her general
dimensions being-in length, two hundred and
| twenty-five feet; breadth of BEAM forty-three
feet nine inches; depth of hold, thirteen feet six
! inches, drawing twelve feet of water and pro-
! PEELED by two Ercsson's patent lever engines of
one thousand horse power, with independent
| vacuum, and eight auxiliary engines. Her weight
will be about fourteen hundred tons, with a speed
! Of twelve miles per hour. AS the Manayuak Is
| designed for a ram, and at the same timeis to
carry two 15-nch guns, something Of her Capa-
| city may be readily inferred.
CAN PITTsBURG BUILD IRoN-cLADs?
This vessel being the first ever built in this city
| designed for ocean service, deserves especial
| notice, as matter of no small moment depends
upon its success, and that is whether iron vessels
| OF gIeat tonnage can be built here right az the
door of cheap material and labor, and out of the
| reach of foreign enemies. This fact established
| we will add another resource TO our national
| strength, and place ourselves on the record as
| city, from which the Government can be supplied
not only with its first class war-vessels, but can
| have them fully equipped with guns, ammuni. ion,
and naval stores all of Plttsburg manufacture.
We are gratifed at the confidence placed by
| the Navy Department in the ability of Messrs.
| Snowden Mason, TO do work Of this cha
| racter which has been fully sustained, and that
this community will get the credit Of furnishing
two WaT-yessels equal, at least, in point of mate
| rial and finish, 70 any built elsewhere. There is
no class of machinery that presents such mecha-
nical difficulties as that Of the monitor class.
| Yet, The ease with which those difficulties have
been overcome reflects great credit upon the
skill and enterprise of Mr.. J. S. Kirk, the General
Manager, assisted by Mr. d. Mcconnell.
| The DdBdytHk is made from that justly cele-
| blatCd Sligo braud of iron, furnished by the
! house of Lyon, Shorb & Co., of this city. No
| pains nor expense have been spared on the part
| Of the contractors 30 furnish the Government
! with vessel alike creditable 10 themselves and
tins community, and we predict for her a future
| Of no ordinary interest 70 the country. As every
thing pertaining to the final completion Of the
| MWogUNk is in perfect readiness, we hope soon
10 see her completed and put into commission.
The light dratt monitor jHlpgUd, designed for
river and haTbor defense, likewise being built by
Messrs. Snowden & Mason, approaches compile
ti0n and will be tirst-class vessel, after the
Improvements recently ordered by the Navy
| Department, and for her likewise Is predicted a
future good record.-IHsburq Commercial,
| Monday.