Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-09-21
NEW YORK, Sept. Is, 1865.

Il
| Msssrs Wm ErereH, Myers Cornell, and others,
| Board NJ Engineers:
| GBsTLKMBS: / am informed that the indicator
cards from the winoOski show that her cut of
| IL set at less than half stroke. By my contract
am required to compete with an engine construc-
ted according to certain specification, (Which Ii
| the ordinary printed dOuble-ender specification,
accessible to you all In which the cut of is re
quired to be set at six .tenths Of the stroke
therefore request you to ascertain whether the
| cutoff Of the Winooski Is as | am informed
| and have 1t set to comply with the contract.
did not agree to compete with an engine cutting
off shorter than sixth -tenths and this mparisou
| Is to learn whether or not economy does result
| from short cut-of | request your decision on
this point In writing, II you shall decline to com
| ply with my request.
Cd / am informed that the boilers Of the
"Winooski ~ are supplied with a set Of water
gauges, additional to those provided for In the
specification, by means Of which great advan.
tage 10 claimed to have been obtained. By the
specification the gauges are described thus "the
iOJoest cock to be y inches above highest point
Of upper tube plate ~ &c. did not agree to
compete with boiler fitted with any other gauges
than those specified, and therefore request you
to cause the additional gauge to be removed be.
fore trial. II 1t is an advantage in economy, It
| is O1e beyond what agreed to meet, and because
" iN3n advantage demand its removal. | re-
(Aet your written decision on this point II you
Dali decline to comply with my request.
Sd. By the letter Of the Secretary of the Navy,
addressed to you July 2S, you were informed
that the OBJECT OF the economy trial there or
dered was II" 10 determine the relative economy OF
the power with each machinery, Operated to he
best advantage for that purpose. ~ am inform. u
that you have decided that on the pronS /
economy trial, 900 pounds an hour, or r!-c-
teen and one fifth tons of coal a day shall lc
weighed out to each vessel ] must assume l. ~
you have decided that, according to the Secre
tary's letter, this amount is the most economic :.
for each vessel, and yet the Algonquin woI y
hare 10 use a bi0Dor to burn II. | am inform 81
that the other double .euders, on q cruise, br"r
for economy; as low rs eight tons day. Am Z
right in my assumption that you have decided
1917 tons u day to be the most economica,
amount for a double -ender, or Is there some
other principle than economy on which you have
hNed this large amount of coal to be burned2
18th. By the order of the Secretary the wheels
were to dip fifteen inches, which would be salts
factory to mei as constructed they dip about
twenty eight inches, to which | objected In a
letter to Admiral Gregory. ! am now informed
that you have decided to diminish the dip only
three inches, leaving II still twenty -fve inches
instead Of fifteen inches, as ordered.
Will you do me the favor to inform me whether
the Secretary has signed any other order auth r
hing this increase Of dip, and, II not, by what
authority my engine Is thus overloaded at the
dock beyond the point ordered, and at which my
engine could use its cut off with a degree Of
economy somewhat approaching Its designed
rateP | observe that your opinions are asked
Jointly or singly' by the order, and l take the
lber:y Of availing myself Of the same privilege
In case you find any difficulty in agreeing upon
the requests herein contained.
Yours, truly,
(signed) p. s. FORBES.