Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-05-14
THE HOWARD CAssARD.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, May II, 1879

The interest manifested or the part
of my friends here and elsewhere as to
what would be the nature of the REPORT
of the construction committee that
visited the Cassard Thursday last. for
purposes indicated in this paper of thst
date, renders it pleasurable duty on
my part to submit the same in full, a
copy of which has just reached me-
Hoping that the result of the work al
luded to will lead to more extended
operations, either here or in the State
of Maryland, where have received so
much consideration and kind treatment.
remain very respectfully,
ROBERT NJ. FRYER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May IA, 1895
| To the President and Directors of the .irror
Navigation Company:
Gentlemen: We have made formal ey
animation of the valve gear and other parts
of machinery recently constructed for The
steamer Howard Cassard under the plans AMI
direction of our engineer-in-chief Mr. ROBE
NJ. Fryer, and are prepared to make the fol.
lowing report:
From the operation of the engine We find
is accounted for by the introduction OF neY
main bearing on the shaft (alluded to in our
former report), and the general tightening Of
jointed parts heretofore neglected.
So far as can be found, there are but two
defects to overcome before a trial trip can 10
made with the steamer, both of which are the
result of the severe cold weather OF last
winter One is in one of the coil-pipeS in the
forward (Ward) boiler. which is cracked aud
the other is in one of the Blake feed pumps.
These defects can be overcome in the course
of ten days, and as both have occurred in art
cles Of standard manufacture, the parts 10 be
replaced will not be very expensive. During
this time the Sturtevant blower can be set
and made ready for operation.
The prime feature of this report will natur-
ally be connected with the valve gear. As upon
the trial of this device depends the succe.s or
failure of the engine, which is To drive the
vessel, and no matter how well satisfied your
committee may have BEEN with the faithful
work done by Mr.. Fryer in bringing our VS.
sci to the splendid condition we have found
her in other respects any deficiency in the
valve gear would have made it impossible for
us to report the vessel in any other condition
than in the experimental stage We are,
therefore. happy to state that this stag IS
now passed, and every dollar hereafter eX-
pended on the Cassard will be for standard
articles. or for the purpose of placing her in
q condition for general inspection preparatC ~
to placing her in actual service That is.
from information received from our engineer
in.chief, the valve gear here alluded TO opc-
rated successfully with the first application Of
st tam, and at his invitation We visited the
vessel last Thursday afternoon TO witness the
operation of the same in come ton with the
engine, and as q result of such examination
we confirm the report of Mr. Fryer on the
subject, and frankly state that with this mat
ter so satisfactorily settled all the needed
money for bringing the vessel TO 4 finish liz
every detail should be provided.
In conclusion, we agree that Mr.. Fryer has
made good use of every dollar and every hour
of time placed at his disposal for bringing the
work to the point were we find it, and he de-
serves the fullest confidence in the direction
of carrying the work to a.final finish, where
from an income may be expected from the
vessel, which was only intended rs an OK
pcrimental ship at the commencement IN
deed, it may be stated that Mr. Fryer has
found profitable occupation for the Casa d,
and at least four other vessels of larger class
on the same plans. 1t is recommended that a
meeting be called at an early date where all
these facts may be discussed, and that steps
be taken in the direction Of constructing the
required vessels, and ut the same time 10 pro-
vide for fitting out the Cassard in frstcass
shape.
Believing that no further suggestions are
necessary to bring our stockholders and the
interested public to realizing sense of their
duty to q worthy cause, we remain,
Very respectfully,
(signed) GEORGE FRANKE,
J. p. V. RITTER,
LEOPOLD ARND,
Chairman a I'D members of
Construction Committee