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Among the inconveniences observable during the experiment, was the heat endured by the men who attended the fires. To enable a correct judgment to be formed on this point, one of the Commissioners (Dr. Mitchel) descended and examined, by a thermometer, the temperature of the hold, between the two boilers. The quicksilver, exposed to the radiant heat of the burning fuel, rose to one hundred and sixteen degrees of Fahrenheit's scale. Though exposed thus to its intensity, he experienced no indisposition afterwards. The analogy of potteries, forges, glass-houses, kitchens, and other places, where laborers are habitually exposed to high heats, is familiar to persons of business and of reflection. In all such occupations, the men, by proper relays, perform their services perfectly well.
The Government, however, will understand that the hold of the present vessel could be rendered cooler by other apertures for the admission of air, and that on building another steam frigate, the comfort of the firemen might be provided for, as in the ordinary steamboats.
The Commissioners congratulate the Government and the nation on the event of this noble project. Honorable alike, to its author and its patrons, it constitutes an era in warfare and the arts. The arrival of peace, indeed, has disappointed the expectations of conducting her to battle. That last and conclusive act of showing her superiority in combat, has not been in the power of the Commissioners to make.
If a continuance of tranquillity should be our lot, and this steam vessel of war be not required for the public defense, the nation may rejoice that the fact we have ascertained is of incalculably greater value than the expenditure—and that if the present structure should perish, we have the information never to perish, how, on a future emergency, others may be built. The requisite variations will be dictated by circumstances.
Owing to the cessation of hostilities, it has been deemed inexpedient to finish and equip her as for immediate and active employ. In a few weeks every thing that is incomplete could receive the proper adjustment.
After so much has been done, and with such encouraging results, it becomes the Commissioners to recommend that the steam frigate be officered and manned for discipline and practice. A discreet commander, with a selected crew, could acquire experience in the mode of navigating this peculiar vessel. The supplies of fuel, the tending of the fire, the replenishing of the expended water, the management of the mechanism, the heating of shot, the exercise of the guns, and various matters, can only become familiar by use. It is highly important that a portion of seamen and marines should be versed in the order and economy of the steam frigate. They will augment, diffuse, and perpetuate knowledge. When, in process of time, another war shall call for more structures of this kind, men, regularly trained to her tactics, may be dispatched to the several stations where they may be wanted. If, on any such disposition, the Government should desire a good and faithful agent, the Commissioners recommend Captain Obed Smith to notice, as a person who has ably performed the duties of inspector from the beginning to the end of the concern.
Annexed to the report, you will find, Sir, several statements explanatory of the subject. A separate report of our colleague, the honorable Oliver Wolcott, whose removal from New York precluded him from attending to the latter part of the business, with his accustomed zeal and fidelity, is herewith presented. A drawing of her form and appearance, by Mr. Morgan, as being like to give satisfaction to the department, is also subjoined, as are likewise an inventory of her furniture and effects, and an account of the timber and metals consolidated in her fabric.
It is hoped these communications will evince the pains taken by the Commissioners, to execute the honorable and responsible trust reposed in them by the Government.
SAMUEL L. MITCHEL. THOMAS MORRIS. HENRY RUTGERS.
* * * * *
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1964
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402—Price 70 cents
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The American Neptune (1946), vol. 6, pp. 253-274.
[2] The American Neptune (1944), vol. 4, pp. 327-329.
[3] New York, 1853, pp. 13-17.
[4] Pittsburgh, 1896, pp. 8-16.
[5] See pages 172 through 176 for this report, which is reproduced from CHARLES B. STUART, Naval and Mail Steamers of the United States (New York, 1853), app., pp. 155-159.
[6] National Archives, Navy Records Plans, 80-7-14; and HOWARD I. CHAPELLE, History of the American Sailing Navy (New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1949), pp. 293-295.
[7] National Archives, Navy Records Plans, 80-7-9; and CHAPELLE, History of the American Sailing Navy, pp. 226, 228.
[8] National Archives, Navy Records Plans, 80-7-15.
[9] National Archives, Naval Records Collection, Miscellaneous Letters, 1819, II.
[10] See p. 169, reproduced from CHARLES B. STUART, Naval and Mail Steamers of the United States (New York, 1853), p. 15.
[11] JEAN BAPTISTE MARESTIER, Memoire sur les bateaux a vapeur des Etats-Unis d'Amerique, avec un appendice sur diverses machines relatives a la Marine (Paris: L'imprimerie Royal, 1824).
[12] 1820-1823, vol. 7, p. 437.
[13] Annales de l'industrie nationale et etrangere, ou Mercure Technologique (Paris, 1822), pp. 760-762.
[14] January 27, 1823, vol. 7, pp. 436-438.
[15] January-March 1935, vol. 61, pp. 322-328.
[16] HOWARD I. CHAPELLE, American Small Sailing Craft (New York: W. W. Norton & Co., Inc., 1951), pp. 29, 31.
[17] Newport News, Va.: The Mariners' Museum, 1937, p. 23.
[18] Indianapolis, Ind.: Bobbs Merrill, 1932, p. 291.
[19] HENRY WILLIAM EDWARD, The Double Bottom or Twin Hulled Ship of Sir William Petty (Oxford: The Roxburghe Club, 1931).
[20] Publication No. 5 (Newport News: The Mariners' Museum, 1939), p. 22.
INDEX
Anckerswaerd, Col. Michael, 157
Astor, John Jacob, 141
Baltimore, Lord. See Calvert.
Bennett, Frank M., 139, 150, 165
Bergh, Christian, 145
Biddle, James, 141
Brackenridge, S. M., 145
Brewington, M. V., 155
Brown, Adam and Noah, 141, 142, 145
Brown, Alexander Crosby, 165
Brown, Noah, 141, 150, 151
Browne, Charles, 157
Browns' yard, 142, 144
Calvert, George, Lord Baltimore, 156
Canning, Stratford, 139
Chapman, Fredrik Henrik af, 156, 166
Charles II of England, 152, 153
Coast and Harbor Defense Company, 141
Coast Defense Society, 141, 142
Colden, C. D., 149
Danish Greenland Company, 150
Danish Royal Archives, 139, 150
Dearborn, Henry, 141, 142
Decatur, Stephen, 141
Deptford Yard (England), 165
Eckford, Henry, 142
Emmet, ——, 144
Evans, Samuel, 141, 145
Fox, Josiah, 157
Fulton, Robert, 139, 141, 142, 144, 147, 149, 150, 157, 159, 165
Gurley, Ralph R. (USN), 150, 151
Gustav III of Sweden, 156, 157
Hawthorn, Leslie, and Company (Scotland), 166
Jefferson, Thomas, 145
Jones, Jacob, 141
Jones, William, 147
Laurie, J., 157
Lewis, Jacob, 141
Lewis, Morgan, 141
Marestier, Jean Baptiste, 147, 149, 159, 162
Mariners' Museum, 165
Marsh, James, 145
May, Arthur J., 139
Miller, Patrick, 156, 157
Mitchill, Samuel L., 141, 142
Monroe, James, 145
Montgery, M., 147, 149, 159
Morgan, "Mr.", 144
Morris, Thomas, 141, 142
National Maritime Museum (England), 147, 156, 165
Pepys, Samuel, 155
Perry, Oliver, 141
Petty, Sir William, 152, 153, 155, 166
Porter, David, 144
Purcell, William, 147
Rasmussen, Kjeld, 150
Rigsarkivet (Denmark), 147
Royal Society of London, 152
Rutgers, Henry, 141, 142
Smith, —— (Captain, USN), 144
Smith, Sir Sidney (RN), 155
Statens Sjoehistoriska Museum (Sweden), 147
Stewart, Charles, 145
Stiles, George, 144
Stoudinger, Charles, 144
Stuart, Charles B., 139, 150
Symington, William, 157
Thames Iron-works Company (England), 165
Tyler, David B., 139
Warrington, Samuel, 141
Wilstack, Paul, 155
Wolcott, Oliver, 141, 142
Youle, John, foundry, 142
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