The daily gazette., 1882-03-06
The Congregational COmmltso..

RESULT OF THEIR RECENT VISIT OF
INsPEcTIoN-DIsPosI OF THE
MONITORS.
The Congressional Committee on
Naval Affairs, that visited this city on
Friday last, went from here to the
works Of John Roach d Son, at Chester.
After being shown through the works,
the committee left for Philadelphia,
where they remained during Friday
night.
On Saturday mornIDg they were e.-
corted to Cramp g. Sons yard, and after
inspecting 1t, boarded q GovernmenG
tug for League Island.
When League Island was reached
they we're met by Commodore Edward
Simpson, Captain w. E. Fitzbugh, Chief
Engineer Steward, Naval Constructor
Hitchbarn and nearly all the officers of
the station. By them they were con-
Quoted 20 a neighboring wharf to see the
repairs that are being made upon the
ship of-war Ossipee, and afterwards on
board Of the monitor MiantonOmah,
bnilt at Roach's ship-yard and needing
only her turrels and an appropriation of
$3.50, 0,O0o to complete her for Immediate
service. Several other monitors that
had been used in the rebellion, the
Jason, the Nahant and the Dictator, but
are now undt for use, we're also inspec-
ted, and the strangers' ears were almost
dealened by salute of several guns
fired IN their honor.
RESULT OF TIE INSPECTION.
Nearly all the members of the COM
mittee were remarkably frank in ex-
pressing their approval of the appropri-
alton bill providing for the completion
OF th9 monitors, aud they spoke Of the
reorganization OF the navy as an urgent
matter for the consideration Of CongTe:s.
Chairman Harris was particularly in
terested aud even jealous in his search
for Information. He said yesterday
that he was certainly in favor Of p-
moving the monitors from the ways &C
least. They ought to be painted and
launched, aud then In The event Cf au
Immediate need for their service, they
could be got ready for uss in q short
time. He thought these moniteis could
render protection TO our harbors, aud If
| completed they would most likely be
kept for that aud coasting purposes.
Congressman A. q. Harner, OF tho CON-
mlttee, expressed 3 similar opinion.
1t seems to be the unanimous opinion
Ct the committee that should the ten
million-dollar appropriation bill for thu
construction Of q new navy pass Coz
gTess the three builders Of PbilsdelphII
Chester and Wilmington would be mos
likely to capture the lars est sha are Of Lh'
contracts.
Mr.. Harmsr added "This woulC
bring several millions in money to th'
nsighborhood Of Philadelphia, create I
great demand for almost every kind o
artisans, mechanics and laborere, ant
give such an impetus to the shipbulldinI
interests as it has not had since the Wr
times."
Commanders Shock and Evans arl
both earnt st advocates Of q bette
EQUIPPED navy, and Congressman Tho
mas, If Illinois, COMMITTEES member
said that the money for the monitors
should be given at once. Congressman
Talbot, of Maryland, is said TO be tn,
only avowOd opponent of the measure o
the Committee. He thinks it better IL
tear the hu'ls to pieceI than TO sEenC
any more money on them. He say:
they are not and 1t is not likely thai
they will be needed. Commando
EVaus has suggested an improvement In
the col sLI uction of the turrets, by max
ing them triangular in form instead Of
circular, thereby reducing the liability
to damage and causing the ball to glance
of, and this suggestion, is quite likely to
he acted upon.