The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-20
THE SPANISH 6UNBOATs.

-Four of the thirty gunboats now being con-
structed in this country for the Spanish government
have been launched and are lying az the foot OF
Thirteenth street. North river, where they will
receive their boilers and machinery from the Della
mater Iron Works. These guRboats were con-
tracted for by the government Of Spain with the
Deiamater firm soon after the commencement OF the
revolution in Cuba, and are designed for coast and
river duty. The friends Of the Cuban patriots who
have had occasion to observe the extensive warlke
preparations carried on by Spain in New York, are,
Of course, veny indignant that circumstances should
lead our government to give all manner
OF aid and comfort to Spain. while the
struggling Cubans, who have the sympathy
every class of assistance, and when the revenue cut
ters brought the captured Cuban expedition down
East river to BROOKLYN Navy Yard 1t was not little
unpleasant for our officers to have their attention
called by their prisoners TO the ship yards along the
river where Spanish gunboats were being hurried to
completion for Cuban waters. The Cubans them
selves feel very bitter about 1t, and while they
knowledge the strict legality OF facilities TO Spain
teria they cannot perceive how It accords with tic
spirit OF politics which declares in favor of every
people struggling for liberty.
tract with the Delamater Iron Works for building
fifteen of the nqlis; Mr.. Thomas Stack, q
ns Eesss poon of pro sSS hy nave and
above Stated left the ship yard 1t is expected tnat
from each OF the ship yards until the contracts are
executed. AS many men as can advantageOusy
work together on the vessels are employed at each
yard, and the WORK Is being FASTENED with all pos
sibe speed.
The vessels are all of the same size and style los
feet long between perpendiculars, ~ feet beam,
feet deep, 40 tons register and 8 feet 8 inches
draught Of water They are constructed OF the best
ship stun, are handsome models, and are TO have
powerful engines, with twin screws. The buwarks
are very low and the decks are to he perfectly clear
with the exception OF the 1oopounder pivot gun on
the bow, couple OF howzers, the pasts and steer
ing apparatus. so that when the boats receive their
machinery, armament, coal, men and supplies, they
win lay SO low in the water as TO present very
little more surface to an enemy than one OF the New
York tugs. The quarters for the captain and officers
will necessarily be rather contracted, but special
attention Will be gwen TO economy Of space IN this
department, the arrangement OF the quarters will be
better than In many gunboats OF larger size. The
quarters for the men are still more limited and must
prove very inconvenieDt. The space between decks
Is small, and as all the room that be spared from
the officers and men has been taken for machinery
| and coal bunkers, the ammunition. supplies, &C,
will be kept in lockers occupying the hooks and
corners that cannot be better appropriated. IL has
| not yet been decided who will do the oinsrs work
nor to whom the rigging contract Will be gwen The
jOiners' work one or tue boats Il being done and
VIII be completed by the day. btt as posi-
BILE this work on the other vessels will be given out
by contract
Twenty-Five are nearly ready for the boats and one
/ is now gong in. They are constructed on Mr..
Ericssons plan for twin screws and are expected 70
propel the vessels at the rate OF from eleven TO
be first class and with their large schooner rig and
| powerful machinery IL Is believed that they viii
| make formidable cruisers. The vessels will all be
| launched by the middle OF September, and by the
list Of January they will have their machinery and
rigging and be ready for service The NTH OF these
| boats Will be launched on Saturday from the shir
| yard OF Messrs. P0ion, Brooklyn, ana arrangements
are being made 10 also launch one at Greenpont and
| another at Mystic Conn.,, on the same day.