New-York tribune., 1868-05-12
IMPROVED WAR STEAMERS.

Those Who, during the past week, have had
occasion pass the vicinity Of that part Of the East River
on the banks Of which the NavyYard is located, have
doubtless observed unusual disturbance among the
muddy waters Of the wallabout they were thrown
into violent cOmmOtOn rapid Of great volume
foaming and dashing it's way out with an angry force
that promised destruction TO any small craft in its vcn
iy Coming from the midst Of that now quiet spot the
phenomena Of this new streama kind of subterranean
cataract from nowhere but WITH source apparently IN
eXhaustible-Was the SUBJECT OF curious speculation.
That venerable relic OF ancient avgatOn the Jackson
st. ferrybOat labOred through the whole week, more
f6an ever before in helpless kind Of blind perpexity
among not on Maurys Chart, IN its uncertain
course between the Hook" and IrshtOwn," with
swearug from the pilot than his classic brethren ever
dreamed OF In the palmest days OF 5cya and Charybds
one old lady from Wilamsburgh, having read that morn
ing The Herads wonderful account Of the Mauna Loa
shaking up u Islands and streams OF Do,iing IA aya
from the middle OF the ocean, became much alarmed IN
passing lest this might be branch outlet recently esaD
hshed In New-York, but returned Californian, VINO
quoted the old adys apprehenEOns by in;
forming her that Gen Newton and Congressional
ThaGsuppOston might perhaps under circumstances
be correct but in this instance reporter found on
which was simply that the machinery OF one Of the
targest-WithOut exception the y0Sest inenOfWar the
world has yet seen. was undergoing long and severe
trial preparatory to It's being received and paid for by
the Government He saw there a magnificent ship Of
faultess model whose graceful lines and harmonious pro
portions made II hard 70 realize that she Is really 365 feet
n length with breadth of as feet and draws i9 feet of
water Held by four large hawsers astern which seemed
strained 70 their utmost tension until they like rigid
away dock, shp-hOuses, aud all other portable real
estate connected with her fastenings The mmenselpro
peller lashed the water like the tail Of infuated
eviahan stranded in shoal water the whole vcin
ity was seethng mass Of white foam. whrlpOOs
and currents that completely suspended all small
boat operations during the trial II was not
Ountard esq, at whose establishment this
monument OF American genius in design and skill In con-
strueton was built reporter was invited board
realized the colossal proportions Of the machinery
necessary for the great power required for the unexaD
pied speed this class Of vessels lie was astonished at
the magnitude of everything, but still more az the appar
ent ease and solemn regularity with which pOnderOus
ranks revoVed carrying heavy beams OF IRON to aud fro
IN their appointed work rs n they were OF cOK ana with
out weight or resistance In their massive strength
ieSs leisrey movement would have doubt seemed too
undlgnfed or perhaps injurious TO the ship but the
quicker motion OF the propeller Is obtained by means OF
gear wheels which, though Of great SIZE ana almost III
credible strength, work quietly that one Woud never
suspect their presence. a.. -, ,
This one the AmmOnOOsuc IL another OF that class o.
Of whose wonderful superiority OF speed over All
others hitherto built In any country the pnDo ha1 the
first ntnaOn IN the recent trial trip ~ sea OF te wan
panOag by her passage of 80 hours under steam alone
from Sandy Hook % Charleston s. C ana athOugh she
has yet had trial at the present successful one
At the wharf shows that she develops powers whlch az
Sea will give the ship between ~ and iS knots per hOui
or over a miles. Moreover, this was maintained iOi