New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-01-21

are one heavy slot fo Fort Fisher ndened the
iron her side amor. without, however. dong any
material damage. These vessels have lad i've dd!s un'
der FIRE from Fort Fisher chored less than eR't
hundfed yards on, and though nfed ut great ueal'
they seldom hit, ahd received no injury except ~
boats and light matter nbpnt d. cks, whrh were pTstty
well cut pieces. Compared wh the lfonsides their
fire - very Glow end NJ oil celebrated TO silence
hravy tiercs. hch requires rapid ami CONTINUOUS
ibo to DIVE from the gans bat they arc snons co
ndiutors In light nEd put IN the lesvy bows WHICH
tell on classmates and bomb proofs.
The smaller class OF monitors, as at present con
strucicd, will always rtqne the old OF steamer 10
TIA them and t'ie care "i them La smooth "sa.ne,
they ought 60 along by themselves. and when lowed
tlr tow rope shoad never be less than two hundred
600 faihoms IL length IL strains them very mtch ~
have short tow line.
do moi lncv yei what their real durability "a or
wouL be 10 q continuous fire against thelr tuifets.
Solid l,.iuch OF 40 FOUNDER rGcs are APT 10 u.eaA
sanethins vhen they strike ana ! sh"'ie oe luz
and take what c.imes. than to he shr up IN un ""h
turre; 40, Knowing whether Is properly CONSTRUCTED
Ibis. though 10 The prejudice oi shor' ahu snou'"
have 40 eight whatever, -,
he commanders OF the monitors seem to feel qnite
nj huine and sufe 10 them. and apwebehd no ni"Te
danger al thar In any Other kbd ol vessel Ioin
msnIer p.iro OF the honednoeS ie'iarA'e ~ u'' no
see any difference between her Hnd NJ! tbihg else
Spugus juinrd me- bfcr the hrst d'ys hghi, on iutt
Fisher. and toued round ir,in Soiioik by tne
Nereus, In very rough weather. Inc sessei "asea
god dea through her bows ard some uheasines var
slt inr her that account, bat tef seartihH du"s
we're spoken Of a. G. OIL rhe difficulty VISA mechani
cal one d IN no way 1etrac's from te qualities OF IN.
ve.scl There 10 no G smunHt Of comfort on board
these vesseis sea that Is conceded On all sdfs hh'
tacs are re.dnm at aud oi y eIpsrd when making
voyage This is tie first tine. believe that the mVL
tors rave ridden out heavy gales. ~ an open sc' AZ
anchor though they crdon cut gales In Charleston
Roads.
havs oIly to remark thsi the principle Ia good
one II the vessels are all built like the Monadnock
The tire ~ e.s coGtinGed with the IRE VI such
vessels the New ronsides and heavy igtes yer!
effective. particularly sgain,t hrav! plated vessels
.mbirUofs I'd stone bnek walls. base never YET
~ . vessel that came up IA ny ideas oi what Is
=, ql rel for offensive operations rs much a. TIE
IrUns.des. She cunbincs very many good QUALITIES
The utst important Ia tie c'cnioit With when TIE
De pie on biaid II her i've thUhgh she would be no
match for tie MonaGnock IN a hbhL tie hser bA'ing
more sperd
Tie accuracy Of fire Is think. In favor II he Iron
slider, Judging IRON what have seen here. The ,uE
refs get Eed With smoke and do not ceaT rs quick ~
tho oasides though that defect could be pfo.drd by
not hiring both guns near together. Theie iHiie-
sions of nine are formed from short experience VITA
monols bat tank they will b. found correct pro
vidrd the monitors are properly built ,
have the honor b.. very respectfully your osedi'
eBt servant -
DAVID ~ POTTER Rerr Admiral
Hon GIDEON wLlLLs Secretary u tho Navy "ssa'
ingtui d. {.