34 TEAR-BOOK OP FACTS. 



uses artillery, and is expressly built for speed and strength, and weight sufficient 

 to sink by concussion, and with a rig subordinate to that important quality. I 

 give my reasons in the following observations to show why I think the latter 

 (steam ram) is infinitely superior for service, less expensive in construction, and 

 much less in maintenance. 



The iron-plated steam ram can make use of guns as the steam frigate, equal in 

 calibre, and, if required, equal in number. She can use more guns from each 

 extremity than the steam frigate from her bow or stern; therefore, whether 

 retreating or pursuing, the steam ram is more formidable, even when she trust3 

 to her guns alone. 



A single steam ram can effect with her beak an amount of destruction in a few 

 minutes which would take many steam frigates to effect very imperfectly in as 

 many days, if at all. She could get in among a fleet at night, sink two or three 

 ships, and disperse the rest. She could run into a harbour, such, for example, 

 as Cherbourg, by one entrance, and out by the other, sink some of the ships at 

 anchor in the outer road by her beak, and set fire to others by her incendiary 

 projectiles. 



The steam rams should have both extremities the same (I proposed a screw 

 and rudder at each end, and also paddle wheels for Channel service) ; she could 

 run in or out among the enemy's vessels, and advance or back with the same 

 velocity and quickness. If attacking at night, with masts lowered, she could not 

 be seen until felt, could launch out her incendiary projectiles into the town and 

 harbour, and there would be no masts, sails, or rigging, to obstruct their flight 

 in every direction. Guarded by loop-holed and bullet-proof towers to afford 

 refuge to her people when boarded, and boiling water made to be ejected from 

 them, it would be impossible to take the steam ram. 



No steam frigate could do all this. A steam ram, when prepared for action 

 (she has, of course, no bowsprit), with her masts lowered, the rigging, the little 

 she has, trapped in amidships, and without any kind of outside projection, can 

 clear instantly any vessel she may fall alongside of, or that she has run into. 

 If boarded, the boarders must be killed or scalded. As no wreck can hang over- 

 board, her screw cannot be fouled. The steam frigate falling alongside of her 

 enemy, and either vessel losing masts and yards, they must get eo 

 their screws fouled by their wreck; there would then be nothing to prevent a 

 fresh ship from running alongside and eS'ecting an easy conquest of the steam 

 frigate. 



If the steam ram is constructed with both ends as sterns, she will never re- 

 quire turning in action ; she can, therefore, run up or back in passages or rivers 

 as narrow as the breadth of her own beam, and engage batteries al tl^ 

 distances. She has two screws to rely upon (she may in addition have paddle- 

 wheels), and hex screws cannot be fouled from her own wreck. If a Steam 

 frigate of the rig and dimensions of the Warri rWBN to runup a narrow channel 



or river to engage a battery al close quarters, any wreck from her own guns. 



would infallibly foul her screw ; BO circumstanced, her gnat length would pre- 

 vent her from having sufficient space to wear in, as she would require at least 



half a mile for the purpose, and tiie embarrassed screw would prevent her from 

 tacking. The an ram can only be slightly affeoted by the wind, 



her schooner rig and lowering masts presenting no comparative resistance when 

 bringing the wind ahead. This position to a Steam frigate, with her heavy masts 



and yard ■, might make a difference of several knots an hour, besides much im- 

 peding thequioknees of her movements. 



I have hitherto spoken of the " iron-protected shot-proof steam ram." Now, 

 it must be evident to evory man aoqmunted with maritime matters, that when a 

 steam ram has the superioi i and chuckness of m iver hex 



enemy, she can make herself equally formidable without shot-pro.. f prot 



She can then choose the time and mode Of attack most advantageous tohrr. 



Such a Weeks' or two months' fuel (the -.Tew ships 



of the day do n.t oany more then from seven to ten days) ; besides, ae the 

 aggressive party, she tally coonomise Iter fuel. She would probably 



keep out ol gunshot during the .lay, and, making frequent feints at night, 



obliging the ships to keep up foil steam, the time would soon arrive when their 



fuel would lie expended, and they would beooma re sailing vessels. In a dark 



night, when tie- Steam ram has all her masts lowered, she us< s fuel that emits 



little or no smoke, and, turning lea- Leak towards her enemy, shebeo 

 risible to them at 100 yards ; but sven mon menl of the -hips, with their high 

 broad hulls, tail musts, and square sails, is easily visible to the steam rum. Sho 



