Year: 1862




Capt ERusoS said ha, II asked what were the proper
deiences for the habor OF New York. his opinion would
os,n os Tina. ney should gs guns double Qu:rups the
~ &c them upon gunboats properly constructed. we
were 70 build vessels Of forty -four feet beam and twenty
metal ike that Of the Monitor, could defy any foe
Inc vessels which were likely TO here in Of any
They now building vessels like Si the Warior Il
wc were TO construct Q dozen gunboats which
the moss ss ioxos against Ia shot they wad be
captain Ericsson was, therefore, or opinion that
should call the spirit Of spbudsrs in order 70
erect models which would provide for this emergency
The facility with which vessel like the Monitor could
be worked was most extraordinary Sweden protected
her coasts from the in cursions OF her formidable appO
nent Russia with just such vessels the Monitor pre-.
senting naval armament unmstchedin in the world Lord
pounder but have for nty years used the
eighty pounder. A vessel like the Warrior could
only keep in the middle OF the harbor, her draught
was 40 great. II they attempted TO build any.
thing after the model OF the Monitor over five
months must elapse before the could be completed
but they proceeded to build those dozen gunboas they
would be completed fifty sixty days and then the
city would have something they could rely upon They
would build q boat small which could be made
carry gun OF fifteen inches cabre.


Mayor OPDYKE would ask tho question before Captain
Ericsson sat down. whether these gunboats would be
able to master the Merrimac and keep her OF tbs
harbor? a-t st
attacking vessel like the Merrmac when tho gun
recoils. number Of gunboats firing at the same mo-
mont would be sure to hit the vessel at this particular
juncture.


momber said that allusion had been made by the
last speaker in regard TO the necessities in case of war
Win England There was not at present. no likelt
hood of having war with England, as we we're quite
hearty friends at present The speaker himself would
undertake. TO sink the Merrmac should she enter the
harbor OF Now York, with few properly constructed
tugboats. Uaughter) They might laugh. but he was
not making his assertion for the purpose OF causing mer
rmen but could demonstrate what he put forward Let
those beats be provided with iron prows so to
strike the enemy below water mark, and let them
all run into her at the time and she would be
at once Lot hem instead Of spending thousands of dol
lars upon unnecessary work prepare defensive vessels
which could bo done in forty eight hours


Some further discussion here had on techncali.
ties, when Mr.. CHARLES GOULD offered the following


That in appointing the committee tho gentlemen who
have just returned from Washington be three OF tho
members and that the committed have power to add TO
their number not necessarily to be selected from mem


Mr. PETER COOPER wished say word in favor Of the
proposition which had been made by Captain Morgan.
The steam RAM spoken OF by him., could be got up at
small expense. this answered all the purposes Of bar
e4r defence there was no necessity Of going to
had passed Lbilj approprating 81 900 600 for build
ing battery ne had written to Senator Halo stating that
ful rams than throw it away upon one which was OF no


Mr.. RlcuARD LArHERs said that several gentle
men around him were in favor OF asking the
corporation Of the city to issue half million of bonds for
the purpose OF providing defences for the harbor OF
the city This movement being for tho defence Of the
city the taxpayers Of the city would be willing pay it,
When the property Of the ctzens Of New York was in
jeopardy it could not but be deemed OF just
sty on their part that they should forward and
contribute TO the funds about to be raised for providing
the necessary means He thought his Honor the Mayor
would have whatever in bringing tho matter
before the Board OF Aldermen for their action 1t would
no doubt be moss feasible way Of raising the money


Mayor OrDYKE thought it q very good idea but the
very moment we fall back upon the city government in
these matters we meet with the same difficulties as with
tho government of the United States There is great
loss Of time and much expenditure Of unnecessary labor
In going through the process Of getting funds according
to this STYLE Since the matter Of tho harbor dcfences
had boen brought before the State legislature the subject
had been discussed from day to day put of from day to
daystil nothing had been done there yet, and nothing
will be done. They had done nothing but debate the
project. II was desirable that the capitalists and
chants Of this city should do themselves credit in this
matter aud contribute handsomely to the necessary
amount The same thing was before them in Boston
ana Philadelphia II was the part and place OF the geno
raj government OF the United States TO provide coast de-
fences, and we had nothing to do with It, In the sug
gesions made by the President hs had only given his
the committee consider. Before he down he would
ask Captain Ericsson If twelve gunboats would be su
cent to ropel an attack on our harbor by vessel like


Mr. RICHARD IrnxRs said It seemed to him that there
would be no difficulty whatever in having an ap-
preparation given TO the defence . fund from
s wa. rahSr an aspsrson upon hat body to nsnuas:
that they would not promptly carry out measure ap
propratng for the furtheranco Of har
Dor deences The subject nearly touched the hearts
ana pockss o. az our . n nat & was one OF the


Mr. WILLIAM T.. DoDGR here mAdo the suggestion that
the reporters should hand the copy OF their reports 10 the





absurd the face Of 1t that the suggestion
not at all takon under consideration. tts tta
Captain MARsulNL also suggested that the reporters
should conne their Of the meeting to the mere
furnishing OF copy Of the report Of the committee sent
to Wa hngton This also did not meet with appreciation


The resolution Of Captain Nye, endorsing the report,
and the amendment Of Mr. Gould to the same, then
unanimously adopted. The Chairman then named the
following the committee Of seven TO act In accordance
with the spirit OF the resolution-Messrs VIM. Dodge,
A. T. Stewart, ,R. A. wthaus, W. .. Asor C. F. Marshall,
Dcnning Duer and A. A. Low Captain Morgan, motion,
afterwards added to the Committee, which then
numbered eight in ALL


The duties OF this committee will be rather oncrous,
they have 10 inquire into and report upon tho bost and
cheapest method to be adopted in order TO ronder our
hsrbor defcnccs in every particular II Is sup
posed that they will call convention Of tho shipbuilders
OF city who will determine between the shortest and
best plans TO be pursued in tho building armng and
eluppng tho vessel or vessels which will protect US
from naval foes.


Captain Ericsson, after the appointment OF
the committee, and explained to the salts
faction Of the Mayor tho question which had
been asked by the latter relative the successful opera
tion OF gunboats against an attacking Merrmac.


The Chamber then adjourned.


Tho Chamber yesterday crowded that several
members had to remain outside II was tho largest
meeting held since the OrganZotnn and seldom has there
been interest manifested in the proceedings. Tho
Mcrchants Exchange being in tho hands OF the gov
mooted among the members. This building is proposed
TO be constructed ON Wall street. and will furnish rooms
for the Board of Brokers' Chamber OF Commerce,
reading room. national school, Sandy Hook to-
legraph branch clegraph to tho East South &C., Offices
for brokers, Insurance companies, &c.


Waking UP a North Carolina village.


OUR ROANOKE ISLAND CORRESPONDENTS.


ROANOKE ISLAND, N. c., March o, 1881.