"The Steam Ram 'Dunderberg'."
"We present on this page an engraving of the steam
ram Dunderberg as she appeared on her late trial trip
in New York Bay. It was clearly demonstrated on that occasion
that this formidable vessel is the largest, stanchest, and most
easily-handled engine of naval warfare which has yet been built
in this or any other country. Her motive power is ample, her
sea-goiing qualities admirable, and her speed is such that she
can be managed with equal facility in an ordinary harbor and
upon the broad ocean. The public will therefore regret to know
that she has lately passed into the hands of a foreign power.
The contract between the Government and Mr. William H. Webb,
the builder, called for the furnishing of the vessel at a cost
of $1,250,000, whereas the cost of her construction was over
$2,000,000. Mr. Webb was offered by the Russian Government $3,000,000
for the Dunderberg as she now stands, and applied to the
President and the Secretary of the Navy for permission to sell
her. The late trip was ordered by Secretary Welles to decide
whether the ram should be accepted by the Government at the cost
price or left on Mr. Webb's hands. Congress, on March 4, decided
to release Mr. Webb from his contract, and it is now understood
that the vessel has been sold to the Emperor of the French for
$3,000,000."
"The following description of the vessel, in connection
with our engraving, will give the reader a clear idea of her
immense proportions and strength: Extreme length, 387 feet 4
inches; extreme beam, 70 feet 10 inches; depth of main hold,
21 feet 7 inches; height of casemate, 7 feet 9 inches; length
of ram, 50 feet; draught of water when ready for sea, 21 feet;
tonnage, 5090 tons; weight of iron armor, 1000 tons. This immense
frigate displaces 7000 tons of water. Her engines are two in
number, each of the following capacity: cylinders (two), each
100 inches; stroke of piston, 45 inches. The diameter of her
propeller is 21 feet, and its weight is 34,580 pounds. She has
capacity in her coal-bunkers for carrying 1000 tons of coal,
and her actual horse-power is 5000 -- nominally 1500 horse. Taking
in this huge naval monster at a glance, she presents to the eye
the appearance of a large fortification set afloat upon an enormous
vessel; and yet, so symmetrically is she formed, that the angular
armor of her casemate presents no indication of ungainliness
whatever." |