The New York herald., 1869-09-13

Original Design OF the Battery In 1870
Changes in Dimensions, ArmOr and Arma-
meut-Amount Expended at tho Commence.
mont or tho war-ProGrcss Of Operations
Under Charge Of General Mcclellan.
During the year ls4O the defenceless condition OF
New York harbor attracted the attention OF the
citizens of this city and the country at large The
forts which now loom up at the Narrows were then
but little calculated to resist the attack Of an
enemy's fleet, and had war then occurred. this
city, with its vast wealth. would have doubtless been
at the mercy OF great naval powers, such as Eng
land and France. Forts Richmond, Hamilton and
Lafayette were then in their infancy At TINS time
Mr.. Edwin Stevens, q prominent and wealthy citi-
zen Of Hoboken, conceived the idea Of having built
at his own expense an iron-clad noating battery,
capable OF resisting the attack Of ordinary neet
With this object In view he consulted some OF the
most experienced and widely known engineers In
the country and in the latter part OF the year 1s4o
the work on the marine monster was commenced.
The keel was laid at the present yards In Hoboken
and secresy was enjoined upon engineers and work.
men not to divulge the object OF their employment.
the battery at rst was INTENDED 70 Ce ony oo Iees
inches In thickness all over; the armament was to
have been composed Of ten guns nv nve on 2 broad
side, each throwing solid sh0t OF l0o POUNDS, con-
The work progressed until the beginning OF the
late war, Dut only Ten mch weIo cu8aHou uy
the managers, and they simply to keep watch and
ward over the unwieldy looking mass OF iron and
wood. In 1862 however, the near approach 70 the
harbOr OF the rebel "Alabamas," and the miserable
condition Of our wooden navy, lent new life 10 the
enterprise and additional w0rkmen were immedt
atey act to work on the vessel, which, up to that
time had involved an expense OF $S00,600 TO Mr..
Stevens. The work steadily progressed under the
Old plans but the naval battle between the Monitor
and Merrmac in Hampton Roads, brought about q
revolution in the construction OF iron clads, and the
plans were revised; the iron shectng was torn or
and plates of two and quarter inches In thickness
were substituted so feet added to Its length and the
battery which she was at first Intended to carry was
decreased to five guns instead OF ren-they 10 be OF
the 6fteen-inch pattern. Numerous Officers con-
nected with the navies OF England aud France have
IN vain apped for admittance, tine original program
me being carried out to the letter.
Since the close Of the war the work was again
Suspended but General Mcclellan, while In Europe,
was ofYered the position OF chief engineer Its
strucfIOn bv the heirs OF Mr. Stevens at salary Of
SlOO 900 which he accepted, and upon taking his
position Il was again decided to make several mpor
tant Alterations One hundred and eighty men are
ct present employed at work and when completed
which will be during the year 1871, the battery will
be one OF the most formidable engines Of naval war
fare anoat Those who have visited the IRON olads
OF Russia England and other European nations,
and have examined the plans Of this mQ1ster, state
that II can cope with ease with an entire neet The
name which il IL to bear has not yet been decided.
wnsn completed 1t will DO forppny presented 10 tue
state OF New Jersey.