Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-12
HONOR TO WHOM 1T Is DUE.
The Inventor Of the Revolving Turret
Of the Monitor.
WASHINGTON. d. G., March II. 1889.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March II, 1889.
To the Editor of TIE EVENING STAR.
The editorial remarks in your issue of the 9th
inst. on the death Of Capt John Ericsson appear
to imply that Capt. Ericsson was entitled TO
the principal If not the sole credit for the con-
structYon of the Monitor, and for whatever
was Of merit and value in that vessel That
such was the fact is, believe, the almost uni
versal opinion OF the American people, yet
inclose you documentary evidence which goes
to show that the chief merit of the Monitor
that feature which really revolutionized naval
warfare-was the invention of Mr.. Theodore r.
Timby, native of the state Of New York and
for many years past resident Of this city.
The Monitor was constructed under the SUI
pervision of Capt. Ericsson, who was doubtless
entitled to great credit for his skill in design
ing the general architecture of her hull and
for the energy and ability with which he exc
cuted the wishes of the contractors in pushing
forward her construction and getting her to
sea in time to save our navy from annihilation;
but it appears from the sworn statements, of
which send You printed copy, that the re-
yolving turret was invented and patented by
Mr.. Timby, and that the contractors for the
building of the Monitor, Messrs. John F. Wins
low and John A. Griswold, of Troy. N. Y, G. s.
Bushnell, of New Haven, Conn, and others,
paid Mr.. Timby $1,000 for the use of his inven-
ton in the construction of that vessel and like
sum for each turret constructed by them in the
building of other iron elads for the govern
ment.
As the question is one of historical interest,
as connected with one of the most dramatic
events In our late war, and still more so from
Its relation to the history Of naval warfare, it
would not be a bad piece of journalistic enter
prise for The STAR to examine the official
records and other accessible evidence and bring
out all the facts. 1t might thus do justice to
one of its multitude of daily readers, and at
the same time show that as regards the inven-
MAY
fairly claim for a native citizen the honor
which they are now giving to a citizen of for
elgn birth. None of us would wish to with
hold from Capt. Ericsson his Just need Of
regard if we award him simply the credit
which is fairly due him. E. TT.
1.-The documentary evidence referred to is
contained in several printed pages, which gives
first letter of Mr.. Timby to Rear Admiral
Ammen, under date of March z, 1888, which is
sworn to by the former. In this letter Mr.
Timby states that the first sight of the circular
form of castle William on Governors
Island. suggested to him the idea of the re-
yolving plan for defensive works, and in April,
lS41, when ne was nineteen years of age, he
came to this city and exhibited a model and
plans Of revolving battery, to be made Of
iron, to the then chief of engineers and chief
OF ordnance. "In January, 1S41," Mr.. Timby
continues, Il made a model Of a marine turret
which model is now in my possession. At
this date I made my first record in the
United States patent Office, and from
January 1S41 to 1861 I continued to urge
the importance of my plans upon
the proper authorities at Washington and else
where" He adds that he took out patents in
1862 covering the broad claim ''for revolving
towers for offensive or defensive warfare,
whether placed on land or water" Extracts
are quoted from the patent-office records show
ing that a caveat was filed January IS, 1913, and
patent was issued September 80, 1862 In
that year he says that he entered into a written
agreement with the contractors and builders of
the original monitor John F. Winslow and John
A. Griswold, OF Troy, N. Y, G. s. Bushnell,
of New Haven, Conn. and their associates for
the use OF his patents covering the revolving
turret, by which they agreed to pay him, and
did pay him $4,000 as a royalty on each turret
constructed by them.
Ex-senator s. c. Pomeroy, under date Of
February 81, 1888, makes a sworn statement
that c. s. Bushnell, of New Haven, Conn.,. told
him of the payment of the royalty to Mr. Timby
as above stated. John F. Winslow in a letter
dated of September IL, 1885, to Mr. Timby speaks
of ''the two gun turret invented and patented
by you and first used on the original Monitor
built in 1862, under the supervision of Capt.
John Ericsson, engineer"
Mr.. Timby states that his models of 1S41 and
plan of his have had the pilot house or ''Iook
out" placed on top of the turret Il believe"
continues Mr.. Timby, that with the exception
OF the original Monitor every revolving turret
was so constructed. The Monitor for some in
applicable reason had her pilot house placed
upon the deck forward of the turret and in the
way Of her own guns."1