The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-11-09
concluded Tomorrow

THE recent sinking OF the British
man-of-war, Vanguard, has been men
toned in all the papers. The English
Government has been deYising plans for
raising the sunken ship. Among others,
skilled in such undertakings, Col. Cor
ven, OF New York, has been applied to
on the subject. He has been more sue
cessful in that line than any other living
engineer.
In an interview on the subject, re-
ported in the New York Sun, Col. Cor
ven said:
"The invitation came officially direct
ly from the Secretary of the Admiralty,
and the reason that 1t is extended is
that the British engineers are afraid, or,
at least, unwilling to undertake the
task. The English, as nation, are the
best engineers on thel face OF the earth,
so long as they have leader to map
out the course of their action; but
they are not imbued with a pro-
gressive and fearless Individuality suffi-
ciently strong to enable them to strike
out boldly, and assume personal respon-
sibilities after the true American fash
ion. The English press, and naturally
the London Times, has ridiculed the idea
Of any man attempting to raise the Van
guard, and characterizes as unqualified
stupidity the proposal of an American
to essay what an Englishman tails to
accomplish. ! am confident that 1 can
do the work, and my confidence is fully
warranted by past experience in similar
enterprises I have perfected plans
for raising the vessel, the inyen-
tion of which I do not Law claim
to, because i do not believe
that any person really inyents any
thing, but do assert that the applica-
ton of old modes and principles deyel-
oped is entirely new and original with
myself. There 10 no question OF the
feasibility of the experiment. / raised
seventy.eight vessels for the Imperial
Russian Government, whose dead weight
averaged over 5000 tons, and could
haye faised dead weights of 10000 tons
by the same machinery by simple ex-
tension of its area. Subsequently I
projected machinery for carrying vessels
across the bar at the mouth Of the
Mississippi river, where had a lifting
power Of ii, 900 tons, the efficacy Of which
was certified TO by Gen. Mcclellan, as
well as Gen. Humphries, Engineer-in-l
Chief of the United States. The Van
guard is in no more exposed position than
the Russian vessels were In the load
stead at Sebastopol, and the difference
in depth is no serious detriment to its
positive recovery"
."What is the weight Of the Van,
guardW
Slight thousand FIVE hundred tons.n
''HoW long will it require TO raise
it?p
"About two weeks, after the arrange
ments are perfected"
"CoIonel, what will be your terms for
executing the WorkW
81 propose that the British Govern.
ment shall detray all expenses, includ-
ing those incurred by the construction
the work will be from $4,000 to Gl0O,-
900, or nearly 100000. Alter the yes-.
sci is raised, the materials and machin-
cry would be worth about twenty
five per cent. OF their original
cost. will .superintend person.
ally the construction of the machinery,
and recovery of the ship, and after she is
raised, the Admiralty may give me such
sum as they may think proper fer my
services. 1 don't want to make money
by the operation. i Isimply want to show
the English that American talent and
energy is MOTTO be .sneezed at. AS Mr..
Piokwick says, 1 merely wish TO sustain
a principle.'"
'What other recognition have you re-
ceived from European governments on
account OF your capabilities as an en-
glneerf"
Il was knighted by the Emperor of
Russia, the Emperor OF France, the King,
Of ltaly, and the Sultan of Turkey, In
consideration Of my services in raising
the Russian fleet, but | assure you thai
such -hon0rs are not calculated to-
awaken egotlsm."