New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-24
Launch Of the Duuderberg.

The great naval event Of the age--the launch
Of the Dunderberg-took place on Saturday morning st
O'clock in the presence Of at least % 900 spectator
who filed the yard crowded the house tops were
perched in the RIGGING OF tho shipping. and lined the
shores Of both sides Of the East River for long dis
lance. seldom, II ever, have much interest
displayed at launch. All anxious that she would
go off, all right and thousands stood on tiptoe OF er
pectnton the time drew near when she should leave
the shore and ceave the waters for the first time The
months past had been spent In watching and wonder
ing, and now all moro than anxious to soc the
contamination If their hopes.
Unfortunately the weather was unpleasant; the morn
ing had been ushercd in with heavy rain showers.
which deferred thousands from being present, many of
whom thought the launch would be postponed until fine
day Mr. Webb and the tide wait for no man on
launching day and ct early dawn the final preparations
were made for the ceremony At daylight the vessel
was dressed up national oolors the jack hung at tho
bow. By O'Clock the people began to assemble de-
spite the showers and by O'Clock huge human river
pouring into the shpyar and up till the hour OF
the launch they did not cease 10 arrive FROM lar ara
near came spectators. From Albany along down the
river: from Newport along the Sound from Cape MAY
along the coast and the West and south ali FURNISHED
their quota OF Interested spectators. l..
At Fl O'Clock Admiral Gregory. accompanied D!
Commodore Rirs gold and staff, came on the ground ana
occupied special stand near the bow Sf the vessel,
ground and see tho vessel glide of the ways aud across
the river About this time the carriages came rolling
TO the yard and their fair occupants went on board
where they enjoyed themselves Inspecting the inter
nal arran gemenis Of this wonderful ship. Dodwor;hs
band was stationed in the yard and performed mum
Der OF their choice productions until few minutes be-
fore O'Clock. when they went on board. taking
their station upon the roof of the cssemste and env'
ened the scene with appropriate music.
At precisely o'clock there were about nine hundred
persons board and more ascending the ganRwnv'
ladder tickets in hand urging forward Tor adinittsnce
which WAS gained through one OF the ainidshlpports.
An immense ihrong filed the yard and the dull heavy
sound OF the hundred wedgedrawers under her bottom
thucged out upon the dull. heavy atmosphere. Two
minutes past n hum along the edge OF the throng
next the WAYS three minutes past wild huzza rang
n,f sb. had ma alOXlg started
the ways the became intensely eIcitlngthe wd'
est enthusiasm prevailed board and on shore steam
whistle. screamed, bells rang meu hurrahed. boys
shouted. ladies waved their bandfcrohiefs. aud al
,eemcd To enter into the spirit OF the great spectacle
presented 10 them. IL was q magnificent sight -snch
Is IL rorely witnessed. The scene on board was
novel and interesting; the motion Of the vessel was
scarcely percipblc and so gentle that ne most tmid
ladies felt at perfect ease
surprising everybody conversant with launches She
cut the water like knife and did not raise swell OF
foot in hight This fact proves how beautiful are her
lines and faultless her form. This fact Was the subject
of common remark among experienced ship builders
and shipmasters, who know the importance OF TINS
demonstration.
aiding trip large volumes OF suoSo came rolling up
from under her bows and we're blown by the light
eastory wind back over the multitude assembled N me
yard. Tbis smoke was caused by tie friction oi the
teayy woight2 so tunsgoing At such speed over the
ways which were fabricated with talioW ana CASTLE
soap. The effect was beautiful In the extreme, an1
water with and grace and amid such thunder
ing pnuds. and 30 man could receive more cominenda
ton than did Mr. Webb on this occasion.l
As the vessel reached the river she WW closely 1o
lowed BY five large and powerful tugs four or which
were soon checking her by Of two large hswse
but before she was brought TO- she was qute close !"
the Long Island shore Capt j. J. Comstock and Pilot
John Aagin, under whose superinfendenoe she was
banded bad tug on each quarter one on each
bow ana ono ahead S h s.S ,Sr 'e ~. Sot Of sr
New.York. The arrangements Of these two gentlemen
carried ont as they always are, anu nov iopo
warn was broke EGG shell cracked IA iaunchihs
ts GREAT ship OF 1000 tuns No accident " the most
trfing character occurred 10 mar the pleasure or enjoy
emit cf the occasion and in ess than an hour from the
time she started from her cradle In Newly sne ha
crossed the Eat River twice. and WAS al her birth sale
and sound a. a mt. - d,
Ashore and sfost every enjoyed themselves, AZ
were delighted. and Mr.. Webb was the recipient %
hundreds Of DE rsonsl congratulations and We may well
be proud Of him as a countryman az wei % snip
builder The dstingoished guests present were rom
every giade Of foreign and home n0tosiey ana INC hS
would be too lengthy fol- publication ~
It will be several months before the Dnndenberg VIII
be ready for service that We have no pressing need
~ her but should her services DO required II wOi not
take long 10 fit her out FOR duty In her VT have
truly great sbpone that has perhaps no equal N The
world.
The Dunderberg is sea going iron clad ffigate ram
Of 600 tuns register 500 horse power and 10 carry
an armament 81 four I5inch Rodman and fourteen IL
inch DahereD guns. With these few facts before us
We will Le able 10 comprehend in somc small degIee the
magnitude Of the vessel a. VOL the power
Of her heavy armament which, numerically IN caliber
has equal In the history OF naval architecture and
ordnance. The DunderbIrg originally was Intended
TO be provided with two revolving Iimby turrets
placed upon the top Of the cAscnatc Ds wise counses
prevailed, and the csenate was lengthened anu Inc
tu,ret plan abandoned and believe " the best inter
ests Of the vessel and certainly to her appearance and
perhaps effectiveness Before proceeding to giving our
readers detailed description OF tins iray Formidable
vessel. VIII put before them tabular statement OF
her principal dimensions and features Extreme length
$50 feet 4 inches extreme beam, ~ feet 10 inchcss
depth Of hold. ~ feet inches; hight Of casemate,
feet inches length Of rarl bow 30 feeti drai when
ready for sea, q feet: displacement. IOOO tuns tnn
mage 5000 tuns; weight OF iron amor. 100 tuns
Dimensions Of engine and boiler &C.. ore ~ follows;
Boiler, six msia and two donkey. total eight boilers
depth of boilers - feet hight VI boilers II feet
inch-s length Of bo!ers 81 feet inohes weight Of
boilers 40 tuns boiler surface 80 900 feet crate sur
face 1000 feet coudcrsng surface 1900 square feet
diameter Of propeller 81 feet pitch Of propeller 10 80
feet; weight OF propeller, 1850 pounds capacity Of
coal bnnkers 900 tuDs actual horse power, 1900;
nominal, horse power 800.
/ The Ihception OF the vessel was made before the
nonitor vessels began 10 be known but il was gener.
ally believed by many shipbuilders and many naval OIL
GERS that the plan not fcas.oe ind vessel Of her
and launched with safety or be Of service when, fever,
completed Despite ali the gloomy prophetic forebod.
ipvs Of these people. Mr. Webb perfected his pnn and
a, last the Navy Department rsiueIan raEe Orders
do not desire 10 be thought NainRotlom OF oosstiui
when VIC say that We believe leT to Dc te o,st war
vessel aoat either for strength. power OK pe.u ~ me
world Ii is true her speed has not yer bee cscu ou,
we have the same guarantee that we IGd wren We
stated what might be expected oi mo TWO ila.e i' y.
clad frgates built by Mr.. Webb two years ago IL ~
true that whatever Mr.. Webb promises be IL sure 20
perform As shipbuilder 10 can point win pro- 20
| The General Admiral for the Russian navy the no
a. italia and Re don Luigi d Portogalio ot te i'ihhn
Navy. and the late itariiot Lano o ou. Nv
Nayy a. specimens of his skill and inTentive genus
and az Americans shoald be proud OF him I" conn
tryman. ,,s.,-, n.