The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-11-18
How American Ingenuity is Appreci-
ated Abroad.

OOIO0cl JOnn T.. NOWeu, Ol JulS CllN1
says the New York SUR, having been
officially invited by the British Admiral
ty to offer proposals for raising the
ironclad Vanguard, sunk off Wicklow
Head, Sun reporter called at his Of
fee, 1856 Chambers Street, yesterday.
He found the engineer on the point of
diSpatching his reply to the Lord Com
missioners of the British Admiralty.
" Colonel Gowen," said the reporter,
- the SIM would be pleased to know
the nature ofthe invitation you have re-
ceived from Her Majesty's service rela-
tive to the proposed raising of the Van
guard, and the cause which suggested
it,
"The invitation" replied the Colo
mel, ''came officially directly from the
Secretary of the Admiralty, and the
reason that it is extended is that the
English engineers are afraid, or, at
least, unwilling, to undertake the task.
The English, rs Il nation, are the best
engineers on the face of the earth. So
long as they have a leader to map out
the course of their action; but they are
not imbued with progressive individu-
ality sufficiently strong to enable them
to strike out boldly, and assume
personal responsibilities after the
true, American fashion. The
English press, and naturally the
London Times, has ridiculed the
idea of any man attempting to raise the
Vanguard, and characterizeS rs Unquali-
fed stupidity the proposal Of an Ameri-
can to essay what an Englishman fails
to accomplish. | am confident that |
can do the work, and my confidence is
fully warranted by past experience in
similar enterprises. | have perfected
plans for raising the vessel, the inven-
ton of which | do not lay claim to, be-
cause | do not believe that any person
really invents any thing, but | do assert
that the application of old modes and
principles developed is entirely new and
original with myself. There is no queS-
ton of the feasibility of the experiment.
I raised seventy-eight vessels for the
Imperial Russian Government, whose
dead weight averaged over 5000 tons,
and could have raised dead weights Of
10000 tons by the same machinery by
simple extension of its area. Subse-
quently projected machinery for car
rving vessels across the bar at the mouth
of the Mississippi River, where | had
lifting power of 1000 tons, the efficacy
of which was certified TO by Gen. Me
Clelland, rs well rs Gen. HumphrieS,
Engineer-in-C Chief of the United States.
The Vanguard Is in no more exposed
position than the Russian vessels were
in the roadstead of Sebastopol, and the
difference in depth is no serious detri-
ment to it, positive recovery"
'sWhat is the weight of the Van
guard?"
"Eight thousand five hundred tons
GLOW long will it require to raise
it?''
''About two weeks, after all arrange
ments are perfected
''Colonel, what will be your terms
for executing the wOrk?"
Il propose that the British Govern
ment shall defray all expenses, includ-
inc those incurred by the construction
of the machinery. The cost attending
the work will be from E7j,0OO to ElOO,-
600, or nearly $500, 600. After the yes
sci is raised, the materials and machin-
erv would be worth twenty-five per
cent. of their original cost. l will Su-
perintend personally the construction
of the machinery and the recovery of
the ship, and, after she is raised, the
Admiralty may give me such sum as
they may think proper for my services.
don't want to make money by the
operation. l simply want to show the
English that American talent and ener-
gy are not to be sneezed at. As Mr..
Pickwick says, l merely wish to 'sus-
tain a principle"
''What other recognition have you
received from European Governments
on account of your capabilities as an
engineer?"
Il was knighted by the Emperor Of
Russia, the Emperor of France, the
King of Italy, and the Sultan OF Turkey
in consideration of my services in rais-
inc the Russian feet, but assure you
that such honOrs are not calculated to
awaken eUotismn -