e;VOIvUTION of screw propulsion in the united states. 51 



In accordance with his recommendation, Congress made an appropriation 

 for them and Commodores Smith, Paulding and Davis were appointed a 

 board to carry out the purpose. They advertised for proposals, to be 

 accompanied by full specifications and drawings, and also with the price. 



The advertisements were responded to by about thirty proposals of 

 the most extraordinary and outlandish character, and as illustration of 

 the retrograde in everything relating to naval architecture and steam pro- 

 pulsion in New York, three of the great builders from there proposed to 

 build a ship for a certain sum of money, without a single drawing or scrap 

 of specifications as to dimensions, material or performance accompanying 

 them. They affected to be above troubling themselves as to matters of 

 mere detail and maintained a lofty attitude throughout. 



The only complete proposition accompanied by drawings with full 

 specifications as to dimensions, and with size of armor, speed and time for 

 completion presented, was that of the New Ironsides, which we furnished, 

 and it was at once accepted, and as the price was less than the appropriation 

 the Board decided to accept the two other propositions whose sketches and 

 details were fuller than the others. The cost of these ships exhausted the 

 appropriation. They were those of the Monitor and Galena, and the object 

 of the Board, as they stated it to me, in taking them was in the way of an 

 experiment. All of these vessels were propelled by screws. 



The contract for the New Ironsides was in the name of Merrick & 

 Sons who furnished the engines and armor. At that time engine building 

 was not included in any of the shipbuilding works. The suggestion that 

 we should join in their proposal was made to me by Mr. B. H. Bartol, 

 superintendent of Merrick & Sons. 



When we built this ship it was in direct correspondence with the 

 Department and it was according to our drawings, which were in the fullest 

 detail of rigging, spars, sails, etc., and the same detail was observed by 

 Merrick in the engine installation. 



The building of the New Ironsides, Monitor and Galena was an event 

 that led to the effectual and final destruction in this country of the great 

 shipbuilder whose career and occupation had been so distinguished in 

 connection with the great packet and clipper, and had covered him with so 

 much glory. I refer to the commonplace but important incident of the 

 battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Both of these vessels were 

 curious specimens of the shipbuilding art. The Merrimac was an old 

 American warship of wood which was cut down and a sort of raft-like upper 

 works built upon her, and badly done at that. Her battery was poorly 

 protected and was practically hors de combat on the first round with the 

 Monitor. 



