| From the Daily Picayune (New Orleans, La.) |
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| August 8, 1861 |
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| Our Resources against the Invasion of Our Coast |
| In your issue of this morning, Messrs.
Editors, you very properly call attention to the propriety of fitting
out gunboats to protect our coast from invasion by the enemy. Do you
know that we have resources at command which would render the gunboats
and other vessels impermeable to the heaviest artillery of the
blockading squadron? We have got plenty of wrought iron in the right
shape and form for clothing a fleet of ships or gunboats as La Gloire,
of France, and the Warrior, of England, are clad. With a few iron-clad
steamers we could not only protect our coast from invasion but raise the
blockade and open the port of New Orleans to the shipment of cotton. The
Mexican Gulf Railroad, twenty-seven miles in extent, is covered with
wrought iron bars of the size and shape best suitable for clothing
vessels in an impenetrable coat of mail. The quality of the iron is so
excellent that blacksmiths purchase it to work in their shops. |
| With a few iron-clad gunboats, with rifle
cannon, the ships now blockading the Southwest Pass and Ship Island
Harbor would be compelled to sail or sink. It is believed that one layer
of that iron on a gunboat would be sufficient to secure it against being
penetrated by the enemy's artillery. John Cruden, Esq., of Hazelhurst, a
very ingenious man, has ascertained that cotton soaked in salt water, is
rendered incombustible after being dried; at least, it will not blaze,
and is converted into charcoal by an intense heat. He proposes bales of
incombustible cotton to be placed beneath the iron covering of an
iron-clad ship. It would give an elasticity to the sides of the vessel
covered with iron which would cause the balls to glance and not to
penetrate. This experiment could easily be made, to ascertain whether he
is correct or not. But if the cotton, with one layer of Mexican Gulf
Railroad iron over it, should be found not to stop a cannon ball, we
have iron enough for ever so many layers, and could do very well without
the cotton If the cotton would do, however, it would be much cheaper and
lighter, and would prevent all danger from sinking. C. |
| New Orleans, July 7, 1861 |
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