The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-27
LAUNCH OF THE DANDERBERG
Description o. the Monster.

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The Brooklyn Union furnishes the fol-
lowing graphiedeseription Of the launch
OF this vessel, and her dimensions:
Almost simultaneously with the break
ing out of the war, and before our sea-
coast and hafb0rs We're dotted with moni-
tors, w. Ii, Webb Esq, who had al
ready become known - the most sue
eessful ship-buildef i'll the world, con-
ceiyed the idea of constructing vessel
that should combine all the require
ments of the most powerful Was vessel
afloat. X model and specifications soon
followed, and though many men whose
opinion was worth regarding, expressed
| the belief that the project coutd not he
successfully carried out, the attempt was
made. Years have PASSED away, the war
| Is carried to 4 successful cuusummation,
aud the supremacy OF the United states
by sea and land is fully ealablisiled.- -
During all this time tine work on the
great war vessel was going on, and its
completion is reached almost sinaltane-
Gus with the end Of the great contest
which brought it into being.
The Dunderberg--to for 50 II X 10 be cali
ed-was launched this morning in the
presence ofat least ten thousand sp 1cta-
LDIS, unjust ktlt illEGiE vi Attt
tie throng, the firing ol cannon, md tie
most cxuherat manifestations Of joy.
The immense yard in which the vessel
lay, the wharvGs and piers and surround
ing shipping, even the housetops in tae
neighborhood, and every available spot
which commanded view Of lEe essel
as she glided into the waves. was crowd
ed with spectators. But few persons,
comparatively, Were allowed on board
for prudential reasons, but among them
were the most distinguished ship-build-
ers and naval constructors in the e6un-
try, together with representatives of the
army and navy and the State and local
governments.
AT nine O'Clock precisely the signal
was given to 'let her co. Il moment
after a shout went up from all directions
s'she's off, The mighty mass of wood
and iron and brass moves SO slowly al
first that the motion is scarcely pere9pti-
ble, then faster the stairs and platform,
crowded with people, totter and shake,
and are to all appearances about to laiii
and precipltate those upon them dls-
lance of thirty Or forty feet the spectators
shrek the vessel moves slowly on Tie
platform rights itself and safely sQstlIhs
| its burden and the Dunderbergi IKE II
| thing endowed with life, dives down
deep intothe water, sending up heaVy
shower of spray; and then sIlc rises ana
! glides out into the river. All TINS takes
place in less time than 1t takes to write
or read it. \ few moments OF intense
suspense-of positive teffoF-and the
vessel is launched.
Then the cheers go up from on board,
and are responded TO by those on shore /:
stealn-whistIes in every direction, ON the
New York and Brooklyn shores, shrek
for ioy: cannon belehes forth its thun
ders of triumph, and over all come the
strains of martial music from on board
the noble vessel. In the few moments
which the launch occupied, the thou
sands OF spectators were amply rewarded
for encountefing the rain, and all the
trouble they had taken to be present.
Notwithstandingth there was for q moment
imminent danger of q serious casualty
it was not realized, and all passed off in
the most satisfactory manner.
Description AND DIMENSIONS.
The Dunderberg will be rieged as .
hermaphrodite brig, i. e., having yard.
upon her mainmast. She will spredf
several thousand yards of canvas, which
will steady her in Il heavy sea-way, o.
aid her III making a passage across tho
ocean, or cruising at sea or along oul
shores. She will be provided with boats
of sufficient capacity 10 accommodate
| her ciew OF six hundred souls.
GENERAL DIMENSIONS OF THE silF'
Extreme length, $50 feet illeiies
Extreme beam, - feet ~ I, i isi,ss,
Depth OF main hold, = leet = ISL ir,oties
Height of casemate, iee' i ~ faoe
Length of ram, $500, ~ ~ f go
n;s s,rss i na,, ".,I'' 1000 tons.
TaYnaoo $3.50 tons.
WaigJ,f nf iron arn1or, 1000 tons,
DIMENSIONS OF ENGINES, BOILERS, ETC
c,,,inders ftwo) each, 100 inches.
Sirai,e of nistons. 10 inches
: =. Il. L LIZ !,