The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-05-13

and 1t Is believed tina. fire could be sustained at
the rate Of 1888 minutes. The last rate Is, there
fore, possible; but am sure Il would be difficult
| to sustain 1t long with much regard to good aim
and considerable distances; and believe, the
whole, that for every practical purpose there would
De all desirable rapidity of fire from the ii inch
turret.
Thus 1t Is to be presumed that there will be
equality OF advance power la the same number Of
III inch guns as to the rapidly OF fire whether
In a turret or broadside.
DRAFT OF WATER.
The monitors Of the Passaic class draw about
IL feet of water when properly trimmed On
this coast 10 and II feet Is the most convenient
draft Oc water for penetrating all the principal
| sounds and rivers. and navigating them to any ex
| tent. greater draft restricts Il vessel In move
| ment, and In many Instances excludes her ffOm
several ports, except under very favorable cir eum
stances.
The speed Of the monitors Is not great, (seven
knOts) but II Is quite respectable with clear bot
tom, and is fully equal IL that Of the Irunsides.-
Their steerage is peculiar, but when fully under
stood and ri.hfuty managed. not difficult OF con
troll. They pivot ith ceierity, and 10 less space
Than almost any other class of vessels.
NUMBER OF MEN.
| The number Of men reqsired tn work them and
the guns is only eighty, which Is very moderate
In common with all ifon ciads the scope of vision
Is much restricted, tor The plain that In such
vessels apeItnres of any size must be avoided
There some other defects, but they are not in
herent and, II IA bsi'eyed susceptible at being
renedied wholly of In part. so much fur the
monitors.
Tnc Isonsides Is fine powerful ship. Her armor
has stood heavy baitering very well and her broad
side Of seven II l-inch guns, and one o-inch rife
has always told With signal effect when opened on
the enemy Draft of water about l5x to l6 feet -
Speed TO knots, and crew about four hundred
and forty men.
The defects of the vessel are the unplated ends,
which ISL v,sd hv vHt-
log fire, aud Involve the rudder and more or
less, while she can return no ge In either direc
lion. This was particularly and frequently incen-
venient In attacking the works Morris Island,
for al certain stages Of the tide vessels tail nearly
across the channel, and present bow and stern u
the beach OF Norris Island So that sometimes It
necessary to delay placing the vessels In posi-
tion, and at Others she would swing around very
awkwardly when engaged.
The monitors, on the other hand, were almost
equally well defended on all sides, aud could fire
In any direction. The lrOnsides was also open to
| descending shot, and her scope Of fire too much
restrc ed by badly placed ports. The desire fer
| comparison which RACES just now can easily be
satisfied by bringing the above data In juxtapoei
iiOn. Just they are, the lr0nsdes Is capable Of
| 3 more rapid and concentrated fire, which, under
the circumstances, make her guns more effective
/ than the Is inch Of the monitors.
On the other hand, she was restricted by dram TO
the mid-channel, was very Vulnerable 10 the rakihs
| fire, and the direction OF her own guns was very
| limited lateray. The monitors could operate 10
the Whuls circle, and were almost equally well do
Tended on all sides The defects In both classes
Of vessels susceptible OF being reme:lied par
TALLY or entirely. The defence Of the Ironsides
| could be made complete, and that OF the monttnfe
| equally The armament OF the monitors could
be perfected TO give all desirable Tapidity OF
fire. but by no cOntrivance could the lrOustdes be
enabled 10 use much heavier guaS than those
mounted. Yet when such changes were made rs
experience suggested, there still would remain 10
the monitors the lighter draft, choice Of guns FROM
the heaviest 10 the Ilghtest defensisiity, and di
| rectiou OF fire arOuad the whole circle; conse.
Quently the ability 10 carry heavier battery lnt0
fence and defence In any direction, aud that with
half the number OF guns carried Ia broadside by
another vessel.
COMPARISON or ieON-CLADs.
The comparison now made IL to be understood
as having relation to existing circumstances, and
not at all intended conclusive In regard u the
general merits Of iron clads.
II h In this sense that the action Of the Navy
Department Il 10 be considered with reference
to the selection OF one class Of vessels over an
other.
II IL evident that It was not designed 10 adopt
any style exclusively, for OF the three vessels
hrss ordered. two were Of the ordinary broadside
| class-the lsOnsides and the Galena. The latter
| was QUICKLY proved TO be absolutely loclhcient.
aad 90 must any arm0red steamer Of that stxe. IL
Is universally admitted that Plates OF less than
fons and half (4k) inches cannot stand the sh0ck
Of heavy prOjeciies, and vessels ~ asm0sed must
be Of considerable tonnage. presume the Depart
ment onIy intended 10 build such vessels a. were
| best adapted 10 the service st the scene Of war
| Keeping In view the peculiar exiseRctes u ,hc
case. which required light draN aud great osdnaaee
power, Il appears that the selection of the depart
nient could ROT have been more jadtciOus la pre-
l ferrlng Il number OF monitors 10 operate from .
| heavy frigate base aud 4 the latent of the
Department could have been carried Ous tn regard
| u numbers, We should now haze been In eUttse
pOssessiOn vi the coast froH the Capes Of Virginia
| 10 New Orleans, tnciadiny Niimtagtos, Chsitts-
I tOa. Mobile, &c.
Many defects Of both classes are easily remejia-
| ble but some Of those In the monitors could Oaly
be determined by the test Of battle bei0ss &hsg,
| approx Iniasl0a only was possible.
| What ether stye Of vessel cOuld the depart
| meat have ch0sen Certafnly nOns that has been
| built by Esellsh OF French naval authorities. The
1 Warrior and her class are cxcesdisS ~ powerful,
Oder haad there II very little nastkebte waller oa
the coast which Il u0t accessible 20 the nisnatats
| 1hcv co0@and supsemeIy all thai Ia near the
| SHORE and cannot themselves be reached ~ vess
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