Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-01-01

A VISIT TO ADMIRAL DUPONT


Correspondence OF the New York Evening Postl
WILMINGTON, Del, December %, 1863.
A few days since spent pleasant hour with
Admiral Dupont, at his residence on the Brandy
wine, something less than four miles from this
place. With tho knowledge that he has been
forty eight years in the naval service. exposed to
the wear and tear Of all climates, was prepared
to isG man with some severe marks of time
upon him. My first impression therefore, was
one of establishment. have met with few men
Of moro erect commanding, and vigorous ap.
pearauce. He is picture OF robust middle age
with no sign OF "going down hilp' about him.
Ills stature is full six feet. The contour OF his
head and face is decidedly striking. A full, clear
eye large features, and u general expression Of
caudor aud hcartiness, with whiskers after the
English style, and hair not more gray than many
man shows with twenty years less to carry, is
the best short description can give of him. The
photograph Of the Admiral that we find in the
shops IS good, "as 81 as it goes" but does its
subj ct poor Justice. / would not write those
particulars but for representations freely made
In and out Of Congress that our old naval officers
are all paSse'. Whatever It may ta with respect
to others, this is not the case with Admiral
Dupont l could not help thinking that our
country must be rich in vigorous aud noble mer
to spare hin from u0uye service,
OF course, got all the tGlk out Of tho Admira
tnal lhlIly ouNAus IL iehttu principally 10 tnt
effectiveness Of certain kiuds of vessels. Il,
esteems the iron clad class as excellent in theil
place and did not utter O sentiment derogatory
to them; but gathered from his conversation
that he does not look upon them as the main.
stay Of our navy. They will not command the
! open sea. With them we can never 'enoircle thu
earth"-nor can any other nation. Impenetra-
biliiy is good quality in particular cases, sucl
as the baiteriug down of forts but these can be
clad with heavier plates than any floating fabric
So the advantage Of this quality will he on boil
sides. 1t is question only OF mechanical re
distance, not capable Of variety and expansion
like speed and mobility, to which we have as ye
no exact limits. 1t is here that the room is fol
the exercise OF naval constructive genius
The Admiral brought out drawing of thu
injuries caused by projecties to the iron armo
Of the monitors. Ii exhibited the cross section
of the plates in the Weehaxkcn, if remembe
rightly. These are completely ruptured, present
ing a view very similar 10 that OF the geological
strata Of the earth as pushed up by volcano, thu
layers remaining parallel, and sufficiently broker
to lot hot lava or any other "devilish" substance
pass through. There could he no mistake IN tbi
picture Such au injury at the water liue.of
monitor would inevitably sink her. There is n
stopping it up, as can be done with hole
through wood.
The Admiral allowed me to look over a con
siderable series Of photographs, which preaen
naval history in q new aud interesting aspect
These are intel spersed with various less warlik
aud rural scenes. My time being limited,
could not accept his cordial and charmingl
sailor-like invitation to proong my visit II,
walked with me u the cable ferry, aud the at
tendans not being there at the moment, he said
" Step aboard aud I'll take you across" o
course could not 1isabey the orders of an Ad
mira, and had the singular pleasure of beinI
pulled across the Brandywine by tho victor .
Port Royal. ought to say that he recognize,
an old family friendship in my favor, though W
had never met personally BEFORE
The mansion of the Admiral is on one of tn
hills that hem in the bed of the Drandywine 70
many miles. 1t oyerlooks an extensive line O
cottages, with a population of three thousand
consisting OF laborers mechanics, and manufac
tuners OF various kinds. Immediately belo,
sleeps the famous Dupont powder yard that ha
done 60 much towards waking up the rebels.
passed through it with no more sense Of DANCE
than one feels in walking along the city streets