The New York Herald Newspaper, January 4, 1862, Page 4

IRON-CLAD STEAMERS Report of the Naval Board on the Stevens Battery. Ds ceaneaeleeers Scientific and Interesting Description ef It. A Full, Zalf a Million of Dollars Hixpended by Government. The Board Oppesed to Its Com- pletion, &e., &o. &., Wasuinctom, Dec. 81, 1861. ‘The board of naval and scientific gonilemsn appoint ed Dy the Secretary of the Navy, agreeably to a resolution of Congress, to examine the Stevens Battery, have, after @ long and thorough investigation, reported as follows:— THE REPORT. Navy Yaro, Brooxtyn, Dec. 24, 1861. Sm—In obedience to orders from the Navy Depariment ‘eppointing the undersicned members of a board to ex- “mine the iron <tcam battery now building at Hoboken, NN. J., and ascertain what will be the cost of completing the Sime, how goon it can be completed, and the expedi- egoy thereof, wo met at this piace on the 1st ult., and en- tered upon the above dutics by examining so much of the battery as has already been constructed, and by desiring Mr. Stevens to furnish us with plans and descriptions of the vessel as she would be when completed and ready for wervice. These latter were received on the 15th inst., previous towhich the board had visited the battery frequently, ‘nd, having carefully examine’ the vessel as far as ad- vanced, and the plans submitted (or the completion, we beg leave respectiully to report that we found upon the grounds of Mr. Stevens, at Hoboken, situated in an exea. vation or dock, along, slender iron vessel, in an unfin- ished state, evidently intended for high speed in smooth water. DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTION ALREADY BUILT. HULL. ‘The shell of the vessel is completed up toa height of twenty-one feet from the bottom, but without the decks or beams upon which they are to rest. This vessel is 420 feet long by 465 feet extreme breadth. The iron plating, with the exception of a keel plate, which is ten inches wide and one inch thick, and the garboard streaks, which are thirty inches wide and five-eighths of an inch thick, is half-inch thick, riveted to ribs of angle iron six inches deep, three inches wide and one-half inch thick, @ similar angie iron, reversed, being riveted to each rib. ‘These ribs are spaced two feet apart throughout the en_ tire length. Extending across the bottom of the vessel, at each rib, aro tioor timbers two fect deep, formed of Plate tron one-half tnch thick, along the lower edge of which is riveted the angle iron ribs, and along the top edge of which is riveted the reversed angie iron. BOILIRS. Upon fore and aft keelsons, of box form, made of plate iron six inches in depth, and fastencd to the tops of the floor timbers, are placed two horizontal five tube boilers with the tubes over the furnaces ; the bollers are ar’ ranged similarly to those in our large naval vessels— gamely, five on exch side with One fire room amidships, running fore and aft, common to both sides. These boilers occupy eighty fcet of the length of the versel, commencing one hundred and twenty-four feet from the stern. Within ‘these boilers are thirty furnaces, with tubes of two and a half inches diameter, and ranging from seven feet to eight and a half in length, placed over them. The sholis of the boilers are one-quarter of an inch thick single riveted, with stays one and a quarter inches diame’ ter, placed twelve inches apart, attached to crow fcet, the toes of which are six inches apart, thus staying the flat surfaces every six inches. They contain, in the aggro- ato, 876 square feet of grate surface, aud 28,600 square foot of fire surface, as follows:— Tubes, square feet. Furnaces: . Connections ...... Tube sheets Total. 28 000 Immediately abaft the boilers aro the main engines, eight in number, already in a nearly completed state, occupying the whole breadth and dop:h of the presont structure for a length of Ofty-three feet. There are two propeller skafts, with (our emgiues upon each, soarranged that each propeller is quite independent of the other. The engines are vertical, overhead beam, condensing engines, having common jet condensers, with vertical air pumps, one condenser and air pump secving for two engines. Each cylinder is forty-five and threo-fourths inches diameter by three and one-half feet stroke of piston. The crank shaft of each engine is forged separately, with cranke and erank pins forged on. These shafts are then connected together by a rigid coupling in such a manner that the entire shafting to exch propeller during @ longth of one hundred and eighty-six feet is rigid thronghout. Tho brasses to these sha‘ts are hollow, so that water may circulate through them and keep the journals cool. The engiues are provided with the ordi- nary slide vatve without cut-ofls, worked by the ordinary Stephensen link to cut off by lap at about half stroke Ali the links upon each side are conuecied to a receiving gear operated by a pair of reversing engines, very con niently arranged, so tuat one man may readily manage slow down, stop, sturt or reverse the four engines at- tached to each propeller. Forward of the boilers are two pumping engines and pumps for feeding the boilers, also two engiues attached to each extromity of the same shaft, which extends <cross the ship, and upon which there is to be ® largo fan blower, drawing it, supply of air down through bvomb-proof gratings im tho bomb-proof deck above, creating throughout the lowor part of tho vessel an 6x oss of prossure. ‘This is to cause in the furnaces of the boilers a powerful draught, independent of the heigbt of the chimnoy, and through” out other parts a thorough ventilation. GIRDERS AND ENGINE FRAMES. In rear of the boilors, attuched to the sides of the ship, are strong plate iron beams, runving fore and aft, ‘gbout fourteen fost up from the bottom. To these are at- tached five plate iron girdor frames, oxtending across the ship, and piaced one immediately forward of the for- ward boilers,and the other four between each pair of boilers, Those fore and aft beams and athwart ship Gitder framen are very strong, and weil calculated to btrengihon that part of the bull, besides being capable of ‘supporting any superincumbemt weight that may be Drought upon them amidships. The engine frames are @ight in number, formed of piate iron, each exiending quite across the vesre!,and firmly fa:toned to the sides, Deer the bettom, and at a height of abo t fourteen feet above it. Those engine frames are also weil caleulaied to support any required superinc.mbent weight which it may be desirab.o tv place upon them amidships. i REMAINS FO OER HONK, It now remains to complete a smail portion of the plating near the bow and stern; put in the beams and ; attach & © and aft keeson to the the floor timbers amidships throughout the ‘wholo lengtn of the versol; make the fue connections and chimney w the boilers; convect the engines, and add a fow wanting (neces; put in floor pintes to engine and fire Tooms, make and atiach the prepelies shaft bearers io the outside of the vessel; supply the propellers; put in the iequired balk heads, apply the armor aud tbe ma chinery for loading and workiug the guns, and to mann- faoture the guna toem-elves. CUAN iB OF PLANS. Dofore dosoribing the p'ana proposed for completing the “per to state lat the original projector of ous, Vag. , deceased ; and that bis beovhor, Kdwin A. Stevens, Leq., who now prop ‘ses to complete it, has materialy changed the plans mit atoad what appears Lo have beon originaly intended. In of the vertical sides above water, clothed wih armor and pierced with gun ports, which seems to have heon the design of Robert 1. St-vens, tho plans presented te us bear cave of November, 1861, aud resemble the in- clined armor plated abips, the deaigus of which have boen una oy Captain Adderly Sieigh, in July, J Jones, in November, 1859, with ption that in the Kngiieh pianos the in clined armor is pierced with gun ports, having an ordina- Fy battery, with the guns aud gunners protected over- head by a honb-yyroor deck; wherew Mr. Stevens placcs ® training and load ny of the guns to be accomplished by hovel arrangements of steam machinery beluw tho deck, ot by bo Ol .voraiod; the guns to bs trained tO @ oerian # LO aud de reseed twenty «green, to bring the bo.e Pa tie itn. siiaight line with that of ‘4 seam oylinder helow, to th: poston head of which is attached rammer id aponge DRACRHTION AT) PLAN PROPORED FOR HER COMPLETION. ‘The prose: t plans of Mr. stevens for compirting the battery, of which the followi g veseri)ton is derived from iniurn wth iustrative diawings, farnishod u on call of the Foard by him, co ntompiate ‘ay Gok forward and abl Iho Hekbhinory, fouttoga foot fete NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1862—TRIPLE SHEET. 7 tanks, and powder magazines, ani v) be salt water tanks, provisions and sheli rooms. At twenty-one feet from Ube bottom a deck, which forward and abaft the machinery will be bomb-proof, by having @ botiom layer of plate iron oue-balf iveb thick this @ layer of wooden planking six iuches thick, covered witb another layer of iron one inch thick. This deck ts continued over the machinery, but im (his part is of ordi- nary material and strength. THR ARMOR ABOVE WATER. Over this latter part of the twenty-one feet deck is con- structed the inclined armor, extending from three fovt ber peach present side of the vesse) to fourteen fvet in- and seven feet high, giving an upper deck, upon which the guus are to be placed, of twenty-three ‘eet wide amidships, This inclined ‘armor is formed of iron m seven laminw, six of which are one inch Ubick each, and the seventh’ three-qnarters 0° an inch, making the thick»ess of fron six and three quarter inches, Supporting this iron armor are tron beams eight inches deep, filled in between with locust. Under thesenguin are locust planks six inches thick, making in ail six aud threo- quarter inches of iron and fourteen inches of wood,» aced at an angle of about twenty-seven degrees with the rie zon. The forward and after ence of what may be te med the loading house, within this inclined armor, ave en- closed by similar armor, inclined in a ‘oro ad aft direc- tion; it is forward and abaft of this that the twenty- one feet deck is bomb-proof. ‘The dat deck unsting the upper edges of this inclined armor is one hundred and Leg | feet long, and is made bomb-proof by having, first,a layer of plate iron one- bslf inch thick beneath the beams, between which is iat wooden planking six-inches thick, wh.ch agaiu receives two layers of iron of three-quarters of au inch thiecuess each, ‘Through this deck the heated gases from the boilers rise between the bars of a bomb-proof grating, an ordinary smoke pipe rising above the grativg, which is to removed, if desired, on going into action. Forward cf the inclined armor upon the twenty- one feet bomb-proof deck are the capstan for weighing the anchors and the quarters for the men. Abaft the armor, upon the same deck, aro tue quarters for the officers, cabin, ward und steeruges. ‘this bomb-proof deck and the inclined sides of the armor are covered with a light deck of two inch planking. sup- ported by wooden beams five inches square and tw» fect ‘part, placed at such a height thac its upper side is flush with the bomb proof platform upon which tho guns rest. ‘The edges of this light deck are supported by light iron ‘sides one-quarter of an inch thick, running up vertically from the outboard edge of the armor. ‘THE ARMOR BELOW WATER. From the twenty-one feet line downwards six feet the sides of the vessel are protected by armor composed first of oak timbers placed next to the iron p! having # thickness at its upper edge a triangular cross section, such that its outboard side forms a continuation of tho slanting side of the vessel, which, up to this point of meetiug the armor, has an angle with the perpendicular of about twenty-six degrees. From the twenty-one feet line down the outer side uf this caken armor extends to a depth of three fect iron plating two inches thick, within which, down toa depth of two feet, is iron plating one and one-Laif inches thick, so that the ‘side armor of the vessel, extending thro: ghout its entire iength, consists of iron three anda haif inches thick to @ depth of two feet, and two inches thick for one foot farther down,’ backed by solid oak three feet thick ut the upper edge amidships, the vhickness gradually lessening as it descends, until at six feet depth the iron sides of the vessel i pended upon. As the vessel will draw twenty-one when toaded with stores, ammunition and coal. the upper e.lge of this side armor will be ou @ level with the surface ci the water. Near the bow and stern the oaken part of the side armor is not so thick as amidships, being two fect thick at its upper edge at forty feet from the bow and sixty feet from the stern. MASTS. ‘There are to be two short masts of hollow plated iron, arranged with hinges near the deck, similar to those in the English steamer Great Western, <0 that they may be lowered to the deck when going into acticn, TUE ARMAMENT. The armament proposed consists of five 15-inch Rod- man guns, weighing with their carriages 60,000 pounds each, and’ two 10-inch rifled guns, weighing with their carriages 40,000 pounds each. These, as before stated, are placed upon the extreme upper deck, over the engines and boilers. The deck upon which they rest is supported by columns of wrought icon, which rest upon the engine frames and the strong plate iron girders before described #s rising from the buttom and sides of the ship between the boilers. These guns are mounted upon car- niages of @ novel construction, 80 arranged tbat they may be trained to any point in the horizon by simply revolvinga vertical shaft, which passes cown through tue deck and is attached tosteam me. chinery beiow. The upper end of the shaft terminates ima T or horizontal crots bar, whose length is equal wo the mterior bieacth of the gun carriages. keiwoen this head, or crees bar, avd the iuterior ends of the carriage are india rubber springs forty inches iong, and when the gun is fired it isexpected, from experiments which have been tried with a ten-inch qun of 10,000 pounds weight, and a charge of powder o: eight-en and three-quarters j oun: 8, throwing solid rhot weighing 124 pounds, and calcu'ations deduced from them, that the gun will recoil at a maximum twenty inches, or one half the length of the springs, aud that the reaction of these springs will restore the gun to the position which it oceu- pied before it was fired—similar springs upon the oppo- site side of the cross bar receiving the shock caused by their reaction. It is expected there will be one man on this upper deck in time of action to each gun, who wiil direct by appro- priate si,.nais, or indicators, its tiaining to those below, and aim aud fire it. It is considered by Mr. Stevens that guns of this size will not be injured even when struck by the enemy’s shot, This, however, is to be the subject of experiment before the completion of the vessel, and “f an opposite result should be arrived at from these trials they aro to be protected by wrought jon armor, in a manner about which he has no doabt, and that when a gunner sces # shot coming he can stand on tho triendly side of the gun for his protectin, the carriage wpderneath the gun being made shot- p oof by wrought iron armor plates. When the gun is to bo loaded, the gunner on deck causes it to be traived to tho loading position, which in each case brings the gun nearly in line with the keel; he then depresses it about twenty degrees, bringing its muzzle opposite a bomb- proof opering in the deck corresponding in size and di- Feetion to the bore of the gun. Below the deck isa jong slender sicam cylinder, baving up n the outer and upper extremity of its piston rod a compound sponge and ram mer. The attendant admits steam to either side of this piston as req’.ired and sponges out the gun; then th ammuiition, being placed in @ position near the muzzle, is rammed home by the steam rammer, aiter which it is elevated by the gunner above, trained upon the enemy and fired. PROTECTION BY PARTIAL SIXKING. ‘When the vessel prepares for action with the encmy she is settlo¢ to a greater than ordinary draught by the admission of salt water, as tullows:— Tons. Wator to be admitted into tanks below two feet line.. 213 Do. do. interstices of the coal, 350, Wator to be pumped up into tanks on deck... 637 ‘Total water for scttling......... «1,100 Only one bai of this water is required when ihe ship i alreacy down to her deep load Ine, but the whole amount is provided for,so that she may be bron ght to thu fighting dec ught when her coal and provisions are nearly out. This settling of the vessel is for the purpose ot adding to the armor plates the protection recured by water against slot. TO BE LIGHTED WITH Gas. The versel is to be lighted with gas generated on board by placing the retort in one of the boiler furnaces, in a manner similar to that now in uso on board the ferry boat Hoboken. FLOATATION AND STATILITY. To determine the floatation and Ptability of the ship, we have carefully computed the weizht of the vessel aud ail that it is expected to put in it, with their centre of gravity, tho displacement of the vessel, the centre of gravity of displacement, and the height of the metacentre. The displacement of the side armor is included in computing that of the vessel, an’ extra beam it gives the ship was considered in estimating the height of tho metacentre. ‘Tho woights inciude those of four hundred men and officers, provisions for throe months, ten tho.sand gallons of fresh water ip tauks, one hundred end twenty-five rounds of shot and «! hundred and fifty rounds of powder, and cight r tons of coal. ‘the result of the caiculations is as fol- lows — DRAUGHT OF WATER, TWENTY-ONS FRET. Displacement in cubic feet... seeeeeeeereees 188,248 Displacement in tons of 85 cubic feet each, tons.. 6,373.5 ‘Add for iron piating......... seaenk 18.5 Total displacement, tens. Area of midehip sections, square Area of loud water line.. Displacement per inch at load line, tons.. ‘Weight of loaded ship by computation. Add for contingent Total weight provided for, tons...... ++ 6,307.0 Depth of centre of gravity of loaded ship, below load water line, feet 4 Depth of centre of gravity of displacement low load water line. feet —— Area of Immersion Sec. ea frm Areas. . Fed. Feel. . 2 51.0 40. 40 136.8 48. wo 240.0 41. 80 250.6 46. 100 406.0 “6 120 5°46 4 140 783.0 43 160 748.8 4“ 180 199.8 4.8 0 817.6 40.8 240 803.4 20.8 240 176.4 33.8 260 704.0 3i.8 280 617.8 36.8 300 516.4 35.8 0 472.4 35.0 340 823.2 3.8 360 228.2 32.2 880 120.6 e 23.0 400 33.8 1 11.6 - Hinving thus viescribed the vessel and its appurtenances, if remains to state the cori, time required for its comple- tiow aud the expediency thereof ‘cost, The total cost of the vessel complete (except stores) is 204 60 estimated to be... sees trier: t*) Of this amount th has already been puid government... este Leaving yet to be provid . Of this latter auin Mr. Stevens states, that has oxpended from his own resuurces to- wards ihe completi n of the ship... << 929,436 87 Leaving a4 a representatives of the amount of work yet to be doue. : tees «+ 664,868 13 TIME RAQUIRED FOR COMPLIETH The time required for completing the entire structure, EXPEDIRNCY OF COMPU ‘The expediency of iueurring the above im pro- docing such a vessel as descrived is only determined by exami ing in detail the many novel characteristics she woud | eBeeRs. She differsfrom the ordinary war vessels with which we are acquainted. First, in having long slender en is. Second, in employing two independent propellers wiih several engioes aitached to each. Third, in depe entirely upon aforce blower for the ventilation of lower part of the vessel when ip action, Fourth, employing a heavier armament than has ever yot put adoat, aud training and loading these heavy, steam machinery below the deok, mani ulate: sons who do not see the guns. Fiv: posed to the direct fire of the enemy upon t "0 Stead of within, ap iron clad vessei. Six, in settling vessel when going into action, aud in several ocher re. spects which will develop themselves in Lhe course of the guns bd; by por report. 1. The great length of this vessel, compared with the transverse strength, strikes a nautical min at once, und a careful tpvestigation clearly indicaies that it would bo the heighth of professioual imprudence to send euch a ves- selto sea, The action of the waves would caise her to writhe and twist to an extent that would soon open the seams of her light iron sides. Her use, if completed, would therefore be confined to the defence of the harbor; her inconvenient length and her draught 0: water, which coul not be reduced to much less than nineteen feet,even. for this service, when fully equipped, would militate against her usefulness to a certain extent. ‘2. The empleyment of two independent propellers in- stead of one would appear to possess great advantages in effecting great rapidity of manquvres when in the pre- sence of the enemy, and would be all the more useful to her for beterecnneted: to contine her operations to the defence of harbor, the channels of which would be rendered comparatively restricted by her great length and draught of water. ‘The appiication of more than two engines to one pro- pelier shaft, arranged, as in the case of this vessel, to ‘occupy a considerable porticn of its length, has its advan- tages and disadvantag: It no doubt distributes over a greuter area the reactive strains which the engines bring upon the vessel when they are in operation, but it also adds to the first cost of tie machinery, the space cccu- pied and the labor of attendance. 3. In ventilating the lower part of the vessel by artif- cial means during action, it must not be forgotten that fresh air is a coastant necessity to human life, and to maintain it in this vessel there must be always steam up ‘and the fan in operation. 4. One of the most important features of the vessel is that of using very heavy guns. The five fiftecn-inch smooth bore und the two ten-inch rifle guns, throw iilty per cent greater weight of metal, per broadside, than our - ‘jest forty-four gun steam frigates, armed with heavy cren guns. : being a part of the design of this vessel that these guns ‘ali be large enough for their own protection against the suot of the enemy, it would be weil to examine the question of how large must be the mass of cast iron to secure it against injury from such asource. The fifteen- inch Redman gun, now .: Fortress Monroe, is four feet diameter at’ the breech, and two feet one inch at the muzzie, is fiftven feet ten inches long and weighs 49,100 pounds. Experiments were tried at Wool- wich, in England, in September. 1857, by firing from a sixty-eight pounder, ninety-five hundred weight gun, with a charge of sixteen pounds of powder, four wrought iron shot, at a distance of six hundred yards, and cast iron shot at a distance of four hundred yards, at a target composed of three cast iron blocks, each eight feet long, two feet high and two anda half feet thick—average weight of each block eight tons.. They were placed one above another, a grcove being cast on the upper surfaco of the upper bicck, three inches deep by fourte:n inches wide, to receive a corresponding projection on the under suriace of the biock aboveit. This target was supported in rear by arectangular mass, consisting of six heavy blocks of granite, each block 434x3x2 feet, leaving four aud alat feet of the centre of the target ussupported. ‘ibis wail of cast iron was struck ten times and entirely destroyed. al Gunnery,” by General Sir Howard Doug- Jas; ff ition, pp. 404 and 405.) There is no doubt in our minds that the metal of the Rodman gun is much stronger than that of the cast iron biocks forming the target above described—(for reason of which see “Notes on Sea Coast Defence,” by Major Barnard, United States Army, p. 36)—but still the results are so remarkable that until further experiments are tried, bearing more immediately upon the case, we cannot consider apy cast iron gun as proof against the assaults of heavy ordnance when exposed, as these are, to the direct aim of tne enemy, by being placed upon the extieme upper deck of tho vessel, with neither bulwerks nor railing to screev them [ruin view, and with the necessity of being trained to a posi- tion nearly in Hine with the keel every time they ure loaded. Mr. Stevens has stated to the Board tiat, if cx- periment shail estabiish that the gung are not thus, in themselves, their own protection f om the effect of shot, he is prepared to clothe them with augular wrought iron armor, which he considers wii! be eilecti 6. The project of aettiing the vessel down two fect be ad her deep load draft, when preparing her for action, y admitting water from the sea to different compart- ments of the vessel, and, #fter the battle is over, elevat- ing beragain to the normal draft, by pumping the water out, is so remarkabie a departure frem all previov# nayal practice that the Board has given the subject considerab e attention in its various bearings upon practical operations. Firstly, with regarc to the compartments within the ves- sels which are to receive this water. The statement of 213 tors ave to be ad- Mr. Stevens upon this point is th: mitted into lenks b. low two fect tine, Now, th ee tauks: are neither more than the spaces between the floor trmbers of the w, in other worde, the part of the vessel that every prudent com free from water as possible; but, aside from known that the bilge water, of steamers es} stantly Habie to choke the pumps, on accowt contained in it, 80 much so that in all good steamships eeve- ral ditforent pumps are arranged to pump trom the bilge, not so mach with the expectation that they wili ali bo re- quired at once us that some of them may certainly be ia good pemping order. 4 ‘The statement of Mr. Stevens further is, that three hun- dred and fifty tons are to be put into the interstices of the coal. ‘this we regard as highly impracticable. To say nothing of the impossibility of getting coal {rom the bunkers while they aro full of water, the dificuity of again pumping the water out, filled as it would be with siuail particles and dust of the coal, entirely precludes, in our opinion, the use of that part of the ship for such a purpose. Mr. Stevens proposes to use a kind of pnp for this purpose which, it would appear, has worked very well for similar purposes in civil engineering. Its appli cation to vessels-of-war, however, is novel, aud it is lable therefore to the objection of all untried projects. Secondly=The quarters for the men and officers aro upon the bombproof deck, which is about on a level with the surface of the water at the ordinary deep cad draft, and would therefore be about tw fect below it when the vessel was in action. ides above this deck 6 made of thin iron, easily pesforated by the lightest so that a heavy shot forward or abatt the lend- ing house, making @ large perforation near the water line, weuid iicod this entire deck, adding immediately eno mous weight to the vessel for which no pro m cousiderations it is very clenr to us that re may be in partia)- wn in time of From the whatever theoretical excellence ly sinking the vessel for action with an enemy, the plans here pro’ ting the project into execution are entirely tt; ana would never be resorted to by any pradent mande HULL NUT SUTFICIENTLY STRONG TO SUPPORT THR AnxoR. ‘The «ides of the vessel above the fourteon feo: line have no extra support beyond those usually applied to a mer- chant steamer; and yet in the propcred plan they are to austain the weight of tho ide armor and the upright its e, which rises from outer elge, whieh ameunt to 260 tons; adced to this is cne- half the wpper inclined armor, which protects the sides of the loading heuse under the gone, makirg to- ther §00 tons to be camried by the upper ight overhanging sides, without any extra provisions be- ing made to carry weight whateve strikes Us as @ remark: which ft woud be dit. cult to remedy in eny manner, even if the buoyancy was sufficient to carry the added weigh’ of sach remedivs. REPIORNCY OF THK ARMOK, Aside from the alove defect there can be little doubt Dut that tho loading house is efMlciently protected against the heaviest orduacce now afioat m any partof the world, ‘Above water the armor 1s fifty per cent thicker than that which is applied to the Frerch and Engtizh tron cjad vessels, and instead ot being placed at right angies to ft line of direct fire is at an acutoanglo with it—an immense advantage in attaluing impregrability. ‘The eile armor, where it joins this upper loadlag house tion, is well calculated to protect the vessel, if she be Fept at all times down to the ionded draft, but forward of this during a length of 9€ fect, and abait for a length ‘of 186 fect, we regard it as very deficient tn having the fron plating placed in au incilued position, while the ouken backing only supports !t horizontally, Althongh the shot comes in a horizontal direction, the pressure up- on the plating is at right angler to its surface, and, there- fore partialiy upward, the result would be tbat the iron wouid give way for want of proper support in the direction whore the t needed, This would not admit es this armor to the iatertor of How the bumb-proof deck, but there would be very little protection against the 'noxt shot which struck near the samo place. POWRR AND FPRRD OF THR VEWRI, In designing ihe power of the vessel, and determining the amount oi steam power which shoul! be placed in her, great sacritices have beoa made to attain the very impor‘aut desideratum ta a war eteamer—bigh speed. It ia ciastwed by Mr. Stevens that ber machinery i# ca- paile of exerting & power of 8,600 horses, and that this will give her a speed of twenty gpa milous per hour greater, it, 1s believed, than that of any war steame: in the word. Although, for reasons already stated, the sphere of action of the vessel woull necessarily ‘be couflued tw the defence of the harbor, where great speed for any distance would not be required, but where, ne- vertheloss, a high speed, even for a very short distance, might, when manatvring againet an enemy, be of im- mense advantage. Indood, the great powor claimed would bo of very great advantage simply when applied to the propetiers in opposite directions for the purpus of turning around quickly. To obtain this power of 8,000 horses it is proposed to carry Within the builers @ pressure of fifty pounds per square inch, and to run tho engines seventy-five rovolu- tions per minute. With tho above pressure end revolutions given tho power would bo obtained; but prudent engineors would not place the limit of maximurn pressure to bo at any time carried upon boilers of this description at higher n twenty five pounds per equare inch, Nov the lightest ob,cction 1 urged agu inst the use of steam of as high @ pressure os filty pounds per equare inch, how ever, even whon, as in this case, salt water is to be used in the boilers, b-cause , as far as the latter condition could 1h vbjection, it 18 replied that such @ pres- iting power would only be required for groat intervals; but ii high pressure is desired, boilers enough to carry it with perfect safety should always be provided, With regard to running these ongincs at a speed of seventy-five revolutions per minute, it will be remembered that each aystem of crank shafta hag eight bearings, of one at an | ine frame, and that althongh thd part which engine bas are rigidly te fe single vicid cravk-shaSt of ee feet im length, with oibt bearings. Kach &f these bearings are so arranged thut it may be turned as on a pivet, both ina bherivental and a vertical direction, which would be a very usef.1 quality if there were but two bearings, as then ihe axis of each contd always point towards th. othe! ,uo maiter in what direction the cramp- ing of the ship would move them. But it is clear that where there are more than two,each bearing must re- main ia @ fixed pestion,cr their axis will not be ia & straicht line, But ‘hose bearings, extecced over so great a lepgth of the vesse), would, when the full power of the engi.es Were upon thom, donart mate tally from the Straight line which perhaps existed when in @ state of Test, and the result would be that the journals of the ed.fis would be cramped in their beari gs lo an extent would cattae them te hon: beyond ths power of water to keep them cool, whea running ata higher speed than fo. ty revolutions pes minute. ‘Thore would be {ittle er no difficulty, howover, in over- coming this defect by eubatituting moveubze for the rigid couplings between the crank-+! of exch separate en- With this mou.ficacion there would be no difliculty, as (ur ag the maciinery was concerned, in running them eighty revoluvions por minnie. ‘Ihe power cf 8,600 horses woud, therefore, be mu!tip'ted as fo tsa ‘The mean effective pressure per >, ave inch upon the piston, when carrying fifty poundsof -i.am in the boilers, was fifty pounds, in (hd calculations of Mr. Stevens. When carrying twenty-five pounds in the Jers, this would be twenty-nine pounds, which would therefore 80X29 give 86,000%——-==5,320 horses power. Fven this allow- 18X50 ance gives the builers credit for the excellent performanes of producing ene horse power for every five and one-fourti. square feet «f fire surtace, If, therefore, 8,600 horses power would prednce a speed of twenty mies an hour, that of 5,820 horses power would give V20x: 8, With regard to haying allowed in this modification of the power an increased number of revolutions with @ lessened pressure, it may be proper to sta:e that the pro- pe.lers have not yet been designed, and it will only be Becessary to give 4 less pitch to tuem than would have been required with the greater pressure, INABILITY TO FIRE IN 4 LINE WITH THE KEEL. One of the important features cleimed for this vessel is, that each of her guns may sweep the horizon without changing the direction of the ship: that she would ad- vance upon the foe with her unrivalied speed, firing her enormous guns in a direct line with her keel as she ap- proached. Similarly, that if chased by a superior force, she could retire rapidly at the same time ‘hat nearly her whole armament was sending back its destructive shot and shell. ‘The armament, considered by itself, is cortainly as well arranged for fling several guns in a line with the keel as in any other direction; put it will be re- membered that, forward of tho guns, forming the quarters for the men, and abaft them, form- ing quarters for the officers, is a light wooden deck made of two inch planking, supported by woodcn beans five inches square, placed two feet apart. Every artilerist knows what would become of this dock upon firing the first 410 1b. shell across iv a distance of 120 feet. It would be dimolishea, and so aso would the same deck whore it extends over the inclined armor, when the guns wore fired en broadside, But here it would not be cf #© much importance; the deck and ‘ho light sides which support it could be dispensed with, and might well be ieft in the construction of the vessel; but the deck forward and aba{taro necessitics, an’ would bo destroyed by any prudent commander only when driven to the last resort. She world be compeiled, thoreiore, tolny her broadside to tho cnemy, exposing to his ‘fire tho full length of each gun every time it was placed in position for loading. 17 miles; nearly. CONCLUSION. In conclaston, wo beg leave to express our highest ap- preciation of the objects Mr. Stevens hus apparentiy bad ja viow when planning this vesse!—the most powerful battery, the highest speed, aud the m.st thorough pro- tection of any vessel yet produced—and our reg-ot that the pians of the yees.1 az presented to us would not, in our opinion, accomplish fully and completely the ends propesed. ‘We look with the deepest interest upon ove addition to the eifictency of our navy of whatever cLarac- ter,and gladly hail every improvement murie to any de- partment of it; but at the samo time we cannot recom: thooxpenditure of important sums of money upon projects of more than doubtful success when put into practical execution, and, therefore, we do not deem it expedient to complete this vessel upcn the plana | anja ‘Ail of which is submitted by, very respectfully, your obedient servants, 8. H. STRINGHAM, President of the Board. WM. INMAN, Commander. THOS, A. DORNIN, Captain U. S. N. ALBAN C. SYIMERS, Chisf~ Engineer U. S. N. Hor. Gipron Waiigs, Secretary of tho Navy, Wash- ington, D. G. Attached to tho foregoing ts the REPORT OF PROF. HENRY, I readily concur with the other members of the Board of Commissioners in the statemont given in the foregoing report, a3 to the condition of the vessel, as it now is, and in reference to the general account of the plan proposed by Mr. vers for finishing it,as well as inthe state- ment given as to the amount of inouey end length of time which would be required to complete the vessel in ac- cordance with the plans proposed. I also highly appre- ciate the objcets intenced by Mr. Stevens, and the lauda- bic endeavors which hé nas oxhibited to improve the de- of our harbors, But I cannot, with my present ge, concur in the decided opinion expressed by rt hers of the Board in regard to the expe- ef oniet ug the vessel. .utorsiand the design of Mr. Stovens, it is the operations of the battery to inner har- 8, at s.22 to employ it in outer harbors, and espe- 1y in the waters immediately beyond, and thereiore the important prubicm to be solved is, whether the vessel can be finished tu conformity with the genera! plan pro- pored so us to withstand the waves of the sca to which tho may thus be subjected. All the material objectio which Lave been brought against the plans of Mr. Stev are, in my opinion, merged in this one question; and from a dee consideration of all the facts which have thus far been presented to me,1 au: not convinced that it can- not be gulved. Un the contrary, it appears to me that, aithongh the veesel may not be # convenient or safe ship for long voyages, she might be made of sufficient streng'h to withstand the exposure to which she would be tub- jected, aud to efficieusy perform the serv ice required. if Tequested to do so,1 wilt furnish the reasons for this opinion at some future time. Respectfully submitted. JUSEPH HENRY. g THE NAVY. THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. THE TROUBLE AMONG THE WORKMEN—A PORTION OF THEM RETURN TO THEUR DUTIES—NEW VESSELS IN COMMISSION, ETC., ETC. We published yesterday the fact that a great majority of the woikinen employed in tho Brooklyn Navy Yard had deserted their work in consequence of the lave law passed by Congress relative to increasing the hours, and decreasing the pay of the meu smployed at the various government yards, The strike, as it may be properly termed, threatened to be a very serious affair at the out- set, but from present appearances, it will, probably, end jo the men coring to their senses and returning to their duties, Yesterday groat number did 80, but many refused to work until the government should agree to their terme—i. ¢, the old sys- tem. Among thore who absented themselves at roll cail yesterday were a number of caulkers, carpenters, &. Many of them bung about the gates and in the neighboring taverns, discussing the merits of tho case, and working themselves up to a terrible pitch of wroth against thoso who wero, according to their idea, oppressing tho poor. Some regarded it as an initiative step to #till further decrease the pay of the men. Some fow that our reportor conversed with appeared more roa- sonable in their conclusion.,, and would, no doubt, return to their work as svon as an example was set them. It is, we understand, the intention of the authorities of the yard to adopt the usual rules of the yard, and if a work- man does not answor to lita name after three days, his name fs stricken from the roil and a new person appointed in his pl This method would no doubt bring the mon to thoir censes quicker than anything cle con!d pos. aibly do. It is a bad policy for men to act eo at the pro- sent time, and many wiil have to regret it. The velexates from the other navy yards who came on here disclaim any intention to create a strike or any trouble, but say that their desire was to create a combinod movemont on the part cf all the yards to protest against the action of Congress. ‘Thus tho matter stands, and wo hopo that everything will be arranged amicably. fue work at the yard yesterday was, of course, affected ‘by this unfortenate strike, bot still a good deal of busl- esa was transacted, The brig Bohio loft the yara and ‘went down tne bay. Several schooners are taking on board armament, xc. They are intended to join Porter's expedition. The’ largo mortars they carry aro very for. midabie ‘appearance, and will prove a terrible en- gine of wariar The stoamers Sumter and Westorn World went into comuission yesterday. The following are the officers, as far as reported :— me susreR. Lieutenant Commonding...... Thos. Pattison, Licutonant. Actiny Saster Acting Master ‘:Levi Crowell. Acting Saster s Jolin €, Duteh, ‘Acting, Asaista Stophen H. Brown, Acting Ast. Pay’r’s sdward Clarke, Acting Master a Mi Acting Maater’s Mate, Acting Master's Mate. Wiliam Heary, WESTERN WORID, Acting Master Commanding. .Samuel 1. Gregory. Acting Master D.G. Pottingill. Acting Assistant Surg Oswald Warn Acting Master's Mate phn Rose, Acting Master's Mave jotn Ht. Gilly. Acting Master's Mate.. Joswph Gregory, Jr. Acting Second Asst. Engineer .Ches. H. Cheesebro. cf hird Aset. Engineor. .€ «H. Worden, Acting Third Asst. Engineer.. Thos, J. Fanont. Contempiated Reception of the Unio: Prisoners in Baltimore. Rartimone, Jan. 5, 1862. Arrangements are being made to give the liberated Union prisoners, who are expectod to arrive here to. morrow, @ grand reception. There will be a inilitery escort, and our Union citizens will also make @ domon- stration, NEWS FROM PORT ROYAL. Arrival of the Transports Roan- oke and Cahawba.- THE BRITISH STEAMER FINGAL, &e, &e., &. ‘The United States transport Cahawba, J. B. Baker com- mander, from Port Royal Deo. 30, at six P. M., arrived here yestercay morning at one o'clock; but, in conse- quence of the gale, we could not board ber until sunrise. She sailed in company with the steamship Roanoke, which also arrived yesterday morning. January 1, at one P. &M. , lat. 36 14, lon, 75 14, passed sloop-of-war Cumberiand, cruising; 2d, at four P. M., off Barnegat, passed steam boat Southfield, bound south, There is nothing of interest to report from Port Royal. The Cahawba experienced for the last twenty-four hours a heavy gale from north northwest. ‘The Cabawba brought the following passengers:— Captain and crew of the Frances Henrietta, one of the stone ‘eet; .', R. Revere, Martin Schwarts, one officer and six sick seamen of the navy. ‘The foliowing is a list of the vessels in port:— United States flagship Wabash, gunboats Florida, Pem- bina, Ottawa, Unadilla, Isauc Smith, Mercury, O. M. Pettit and Ellon; etoreships Courler, Relief, twelve ships of the stone fleet; transport steamers Ocean Queen, Vanderbilt, Ben Deford, Mutanzas, Oriental, Cosmopolitan, Boston, Delaware, Mayflower, ‘Winfleld Scott, Locust Point, Poto- N. Sen de Regla: ships Ocesn, Express, Golden “7onns Coffin; barks Magnolia, Fanny Kaler, Charles i , Texas; brigs J. P. Elliott, N. Stowers; schooners Annie E, Marti, T.1, Hill, Bello of the Bay, Shark, J. T. Wiliams, Helene, J. Satterthwaite. W. G. Audenried, E. Ciark, R.’Miler, J. M. Vance, R. W. Allen, E. English, Aid, Susan ¥. Abbott, C. M. Neal, Lewis Chester, Preston, Sarah E. Cullen, Snowflake, J.’ Frambes, Anna Maria, Moonlight, Fanny Keatiag, Americus, Alex. Young, R. J. Mercer, D! Hulse, EC. “Knight, Spray, J. G. Stille, Vir- ginia Price, William Mazyck, Bella Peck, Blackbird, A. M. Aldrich. Wo are indebted to the kindness of sir. J. J. Penault, purser of the United States transport Cahawba, from Port Royal, and to Mr. D. McDougal, master’s mate of the Ottowa, for papers, memoranda, <o. OUR HILTON HEAD CORRESPONDENCE, Hutow Hxap, S. C., Dec. 30, 1861. Movements of the South Allantic Squadron—Reconnoissance in the South Edisto River—A Small Skirmish with the Eneny—A Negro Colony Orgunized—The British Steamer Fingal—Military Afaire—A Grand Review—Stone Laden Fessels Seni to Warsaw Inlet, dc. The South Atlantic blockading squadron, under Flag Officer 8. F. Dupont, continues to manifest the utmost ac. tivity and efficiency. Nota single vessel that can in avy way be made available is allowed to remain inactive for aday. The gunboats and light draft vessols come in here when it is necessary, and, after accomplishing their ob- jects—generally to coal or take in water and provisions— fro immediately despatched by Flag OMicer Dupont to different points, where they aro to maintain a vigorous blockade or to explore the streams leading into the main- land. Hardly a day elapses that one or moro vessels ao not come in, bearing most interesting roports of recon- noisgances or engagements with the rebels, invariably of the mest cheering charactor. Ihave already reported the sloop-of-war Dale, Com, manaer W. T. Truxton, a8 being at Otter Island, St. Hele pa Sound, whore she is engagod in blockading South Edisto river and supporting our forces in the battery on that island, which, by the way, has been greatly strongthened and rendered almost imprognable by the troops there, under the supervision of Lieutenant O'Rourke, of the United States Engineors. Commander Truxton is rapidly becoming acquainted with the rebel positions in the country about him, their strength and the best modes of getting at them with prospects of success. He gains this knowledgo through boat expeditions, which have been quite successful thus far, and which frequently de- velope curious facts. Last Thursday, the 26th, Colonel Thomes Welsh, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, com- manding thoother island, informed Commander Truxton that @ small schooner had besa observed cruising about in the South Edisto by his picket guard on Fenwick Island, Commander Truxton despatched, on tho following morning, tho launch and first cutter with the marine guard, under the command of Acting Master William Ottiwell and Midshipman Silas N. Terry, to hunt up and, if possible, capture her. The boats were gone all day, and made a successful reconnoissance of the banks of the river, besides having quite an interestiug and exciting interview with the rebels, although they did uot see the achoonor. Passing by Raccoon and Bailey's islands, which appeared to be deserted, although in perfect good order, Mr. Ottiwell janded his men at Pino Isiand to rest them after their long and fatiguing pull. He found a large deserted houso thero, and immodiatoly occupied it, after throwing out his pickets to guard agaist surprise. While the men were at dinner @ carriage waa observed by the guard going through tho woods ata rapid rate. Pursuit was immediately given by Mr. Ottiwoll at the head of bis marines, but without success. A cart par- tially Ieated was found near, with tho horse attached, and all about him he saw evidences of a late and hasty flight of the occupants, The negroes bad reported to him that Governor Aikin’s house was a little further up the riv nnd he determined to look at that. So, aggin entering the boats, he proceeded up the river, and soon saw the house referred to by the negroes. Approaching within fifty or sixty yards of the hovse, a couple of men in the uniform of officers stepped out of the door of the house, and joined a white woman, who was ob- served standing on the porch. They bore muskets, and evidently had some designs upon our mon, as they very coolly placed their weapons upon the railing of the poreh, and in @ momont after they had been joined by ten or twolve soldiers, also armed, they hailed our boats, and invited Mr, Ottiwell to land. ‘the latter very naturally inavired, “Who are yout” and the reply that they were “piekets of the Fourth South Carolina regiment” not being satisfactory, although the off'cers again cried out, “Come Cnshore, Ftell you,’ Mr. Ottiwell not accepting their kind invitation, the whole bedy poured a yoiley into the bouts, aud then took to the trees. They then continued their fire, without damage to us, until the howitzer of the launch was discharges at them, as well as the muskets ‘of (he marines and boat crews, when, finding it too warm work, (hey ran and gut beh’ad the hose. Mr. Otth weil pst a sheli into the house, wh.c: ploded, and the chivalry took to their heels, and made astraight line for the negro quarte:s, @ mile distant, followed by cannister and shells from the howitzer, which materially acc rated their progress. No more secosh boing soon, Mr. ( tiweil returned, without a man or beat touched. It is thought that each visits as that will keep the blood of the rebeis in cireciation, and prove to them that Commander Truxton is not inclined te lay inaciive while they are in his neigvorlood. Some very interesting facts were de- veloped by Mr. Oltiwell, which are of inierest only to the naval and military authorities. The gunboat Seneca, under tho command of Daniel Ammen, Lieutenant Commanding, las been the fow days past in and about waters of North Edisto harbor and river. Commander Ammen keeps a sharp lookout for rebels, and frequently throws afew thells into the houses on the river, when occupted by the enoniy's cavalry, who infest not only the mainland, but Wadmulaw, Jobns and North Edisto islands, ani seem to be cee pied in driving the negroes into tho interior. On tho oth Commandor Ammon shelled the house of a Mr. King on tho river bank, and also a wood on White Point, whore there isa cavalry camp. The result of tho practice wan very happy. ‘Tho rebols fied irom both points in the mont rapid manner, with the loss of one man kilied and one wounded, The revels have reinforced the above ponte, by throwing in nearly a thousand men, and the beg ces report that eight heavy guns had boen brought f Charl aton, two of which had been transferred to an unknown point.’ Nodoubt the enemy intend to construct heavy battery at Whito Point, wich protects in @ :aea- sure that approach to Charleston, Yestercay White Point and the woods about it were shelled by the Seneca and the Penguin, wndor commani! of Liettenait Command. ing Budd, and titty cavalry put to tight. Commander Aaunen bas been able to aaccnd the river toa point which is ouly a short distance stleston. Troops could easily march from it ty thecity in six hours, More of this hereafter. On Botavy Bay Island is (ho negro settlement, Keate.! by us, for tho benailt of coutrabands, and Livuton- aut Budd, ofthe Penguin, who guards it, has now the care of between seven and niae hundred of men, women aud children, who seem to bo happy in their © No coramiesioners from the Hed Southern racy Are ® imitted oF roo i yo nity, and they dint pi 4 dipl- matic intercourse with any na Ais" United States. ‘The Seneca brought down to-day three prisoners from the Peng in, wi.o were ¢ git oy the negroce on Kaisto Island a week vince. ‘Ihe feliows (white) came from the mainland to got ferniture, and About flty negrees surrounded them and made them pris- oners, The negrecs aro loyal, they say, aud of course delivered their prisoners to Commander Budd, who took careot them and sent them here, Tho South Carcliag nogroes are go tro, you know, and would fight for their masters 80 quickly, 1# Wo havo ail heard; and, to prove it, I adduce the above inst.nce. Certainly they are raptily and if the war lots anti) nest June the rebels will be apt to reniize the fact in a terrible snanner. If the insorrectionary torch ie not kindled by that time tho negroes must couse acquiring knowledge; and how is it to be prevented” Captain Ammen discovered in the ran, in the deserted works of te enemy on Edisto, one Hundred and forty-one Kinch shelis, loaded and with fuses in, realy foraction. The fuses will be withdrawn, but the shells are of # poor qraiity, as are the From Waraaw, where the Mary Anderson and Pembi are, there is no news, The Fi gal is at Thunderbolt, five fiilow from Savannah, unable ty run the blockade. She can neither got out nor return to thgeity, unless sho wn. vata for tie lattor movement! o have hor protty close, and she must be invisible fo sharp eyes if she russ ut. x! In military aftaira there a@ but little transpiring worthy | of note. General Sherman has been reek in reviewing and inspecting the ~ ent, and I believe that he has found them compara: they upon tf to allow them time td drill. But, notwithstanding all the drawbaoks, they have attained a good deal of a8 soldiers and promise great things for the future. Gen. te of disci- =~ Viele’s brigade was inspected and reviewed by ‘Sherman last week. They evinced @ good s Eide, and weet, shieange ‘the movements in a commenda- ai ‘4 York, under Lieutenant The Forty-seventh New el Fraser, was com} ted for its promptness ip carrying orders with execution, Certainly the ‘regiment did very well. General Viole is determined to bie brigade the best in the division, and 1 doubt not, if any ‘man can, that he will. General Sherman reviewed Colonel Serrell’s Engineers ¢ yesterday, and was greatly pleased at their proficiency of dri!l and soldierly bearing. This regiment is the most valuable in the division, It has accomplished wonders here, and could not be spared for @ moment by Captain Gilmore, Chief of the Engineers here, T iearn that twooid whalers have been sent to-day te Warsaw, to stop up the channel leading from Savannah to the Sound, This will effectually blockade the OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE. ‘Unirep States Gunnoat Mexcurr, Dec. 30, 1861. oa 4A New Naval Expedition om the Tapis—Escape of a Rebs Privateer from Charleston Harbor—Health of the South Atlantic Squadron—Officers of the Mercury, dc. - Our little boat, which has mado itself so conspicuous since its advent in these ‘‘gecesh’’ waters, more especial” ly at the commencement of the bombardmeht of Forts Beauregard and Walker, where, it will be remembered, we made the first and most daring reconnoiss.nce of the enemy's position. Since then we have been actively and constantly engaged in the good cause, for which we @reever ready to sacrifice our lives when necessary. Now, however, all is quiet throughout tho fleet, with the exception of the preparations attending tho fitting out of the launches, first and second cutters of the flagship ry Wabash, and four light draught gunboats, together with e large number of troops, which are destined for BulPs Jalund—as near as we can calculate. The expedition leaves here to-morrow at an early hour. The greatest enthusiasm exists among all engaged in the affair. The rebel privateer Isabel succeeded, alter several fruitless attempts, in running tho block ide off Charleston on last Thuraday Right. To make matters moze curious, there wero eleven war vessels off that harbor at the time. The gunboat Pocahontas was despatched in pursuit, bat without success, the Isabel being far the faster of the two, Ono more hornet let loose. The health of this sta- tion is remarkably good, considering the weather. We — on the qui vive as to the result of to-morrow’s ex- pedition. base following are the names of the officers of our little ‘vessel:— Acting Master in command—S. J. Manton. Master’s Mate and Executive Oilicer—Lewis J. Kane. Master’s Mate—Jos, Scamill. aT Engineers—Joha Romruder and J. G. Bolander. MILITARY MOVEMENTS, IN THE CITY. DEPARTURE OF THE NINETIETH REGI- MENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. ‘This regiment will, it is expected, leaye for the South at nine o’clock this morning. Their destination wi) most probably be Key West, Fla. The heavy baggage was sent on board the steam transport Illinois yester day, and the regiment will embark on board the same vessel at an early hour this morning. For tho last two woeks they have boen stationed at « Castle William, Governor’s Island, where they have been daily exercised in all the usual military tactics. Mr. Wm. H. Walker, the Trustee of the regiment, visited the island yesterday and presented the mea with two pairs of white gloves for cach one of them. The presentation took place in the afternoon, on which occasion Mr. Walker informed the men that he would take charge of all remittances which thoy should forward for the support of their wives and familics. The fine band of the regiment, under the leade:ship of Band- master Boswell, performed several natio: al and patriotie airs, and the mon seemed highly pleased with the en - pect of boing brought in a short time in contact with the would-be destroyers of our glorious Union. e S THE FIRST REGIMENT OF THE IRA HARRIS GUARD CAVALRY, COL. 0. DE FOREST. Captain A. P. Green, Senior Captain of this splendid cavalry regiment, will leave for Anapolis, where the regi- ment is now encamped, to-day, at two o'clock P. Mf., end wil} tak6 on a batch of recruits and some horses. The Caytain leaves a sergeant, who will still continue to take good men, of unblémished character (for none others need apply}, at No: 10 Contre street. IRISH BRIGADE.” Kecruiting for the First, Third, Fourth, and the bat" talion of artillery of the Fifth regiments of this brigade, now in the army of the Potomac, in General Sumner’s di- _ vision, has been going on successfully, and aroinforee” « ment of one hundred men, under the command of Cap- tains Nagle, of the Fourth, and Donovan, of the Fifth, left this city at four P. M. yesterday to join’ their respective regiments. FOURTH REGIMENT SCOTT LIFE GUARD, This regiment is stattoned on tho line of the railroad between Havre ce Graco and Baltimore. The headquare tors of the rogiment is at the former place. On New ~ Year’s day the citizens of that place had a gala time in raising a liberty pole. Tho occasion served a double urpose, a8 the inbabitants took the opportunity of sore poo! mg ‘and otherwise complimenting Colonel Taylor, of the Fourth Regiment, than whom there is no more wor- thy officor_in the federal service. This token of regard , to Colonel Taylor was in consequence of his gentlem: conduct in the discharge of his duties since bis rogit has been guarding the railroad already mentioned. ‘The charges recently brought against Colonel Taylor by a clique of malcontent subordinates were recently tried by court martial. The evidence disclosed on the triat placed his accusers in rather a bad light before the Court. PRESENTATION OF REGIMENTAL COLORS, ‘Tae Warren Rifles, Ninoty-ffth regiment Now York Volunteers, were presented with a beautiful stand of colors yesterday afternoon by Richard Warren, Esq. whose name the Ninety-fifth have adopted. The cere- mony took place in the square opposite Mr. Warren's rest dence, corner of West Sixteenth street and Fifth venus, A largo and highly respectable assemblage of ladies and gentiemen were in attendance, among whom were Rev. Dr. Osgood, Wm. C. Bryant, Rey. Dr. Morgan, George W. Blunt, Hon, Edward Tracy, Paymaster General Van » Buren, Theodore Zeller, United States Army; Col. Buren} of the Ninth regimont; Major Alcock, Gates” stad, Barou Kgiofistoin, Colonel of the Seward in- fantry, and Col, Fiise. Dedwerth’s Band was also present, together with a strong posse of polico, who were drawn ‘up in front of the house. ‘Tho preseatation speech was made by Mr. Warren, whose discourse was vory haj and patriotic, Mr. Warren, in the course of his rem: , alluded to the peace end happiness which existed in the country but a fow months since, and contrasted them with the rebellion. He exhorted the regiment to advance foar} them that every ball which flew from theit should rid the world of # traitor; that every bayonet thrust showld send rebel to his destined place, Whether many or few of them should return to their homes, they must never lore sight of the banner of thoir cou! for it must be handed down to their children’s chi'¢ren, so that when the unton of the States was fully cemented by freedom each, one of them could say, ‘T holped to accomplish this result.” os a A very appropriate response was made by Biddlo, after whiok tho officers and invited guests par- took of a bountiful repast provided by Mr. Wi ‘The regiment are over seven hundred in number, a fine looking boty of men, and are under the command of Col. Biddle, who is sail to be a very competent officer. ‘The colors are of rich banner silk, of the ae size, with embroidered stars on the blue field, bears the ae «Warren Rifles, Ninety-fifth Regiment.” Coroners’ Inquest Tus Hovston Starsr Hourcme.—The inquest in the case of Andrew Jackson Fowler, who was killed in an affray at the saloon No, 80 West Houston street, on Now Year's morning, was rosumed yesterday at the Eighth precinct station house. A number of witnesses wore ox- amined and much testimony was adduced, but nothing was elicited to show who tnflictod the fatal wounds. One of the witnesses, Virginia Morris, testified that she lived at No. 70 West Houston street, and that on the morning of the fight, on looking out of her window, she saw do- cersed on the sidewalk, and a man beating and kicking him, Sho could not bo positive who th lant was, but che thought he resembled the prisoner, Oharles Siel- ling, in point of size, &e, Tho agaatiant entered No, 68 ‘West Houston street after beat ng deceased, and shut the door after him. ‘That was all the witness knew about the occurrence, Coroner Wildey, Who has ec nducted the in- quist thus far, decided upon adjourning tho inquest over tinti] Monday morning, with the view of procuring some important witnosses. ‘Twa Haniex SavoTrna Cas.—The tnvestigation into the circumstances attending the death of Owen Phelan, who was shot dead in an affray with James J. Wali, clork of the steamboat Sylvan Shore, at the corner of 120th atreet and Fourth avenue, on Monday evening, was held yostorday, at Bellevue Hospital, by Coroner Rannay. The evidenco went to show that there was a quarrel riffle between tho ttiog, and that in Lie Urew & pistok| who was preseat during the ina shooting, but in extenuation said the defen ‘The jury rendered a vervict charging homicide, and the Coroner thereupon tom, Prinom a nim to tig “Torus. to awale tho ecitoa OF Grand Jury. Syswe BY TAKING Pomon.—Coroner Wildey was not! fied to hold an inquest yesterday, at No. Gg Wout Broad way, upon the body of Catherine Riley, ‘ik native of 18 years, who committe ‘suicide by taki vm sheers Teinas. ‘Tho inquest, will probably’ be today.