New Orleans, March 22, 1862
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| Hon. S. R. Mallory |
| Secretary of the Navy, Richmond, Va. |
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| Sir, |
| Your telegram of yesterday
stating "the shaft leaves on Monday morning, the 24th,
complete," etc., is Just received, and we hasten to repeat that
everything that can be accomplished with men and money toward the
early completion of our ship is being done. We have Just returned
from the shops where our machinery is being built, and found
everyone doing their best to accomplish that end. It has been
impossible to get independent gangs of mechanics to work at night,
on account of the pressing demand upon all of them through the day.
We have tried and will continue our efforts to procure machinists
from other shops to work at night, for in this department alone we
need more help. Still we are assured by the machinist that the
engines will be ready as soon as we can get the shafts. |
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We telegraphed you yesterday in answer to yours of the 21st,
received yesterday. "Can complete the two gunboats in sixty
days. Hurry on shaft with special agent. We can not launch without
it. Imprudent to put on more casing till launched. While detained,
we are helping with men and material to complete the Louisiana. Her
iron is being rapidly put on. Murray says will have steam on in
twelve days. Two parties are making our quarter shafts, but will not
wait for them, if can get the center shaft, which must come by
express."
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As the machinery of the Louisiana is second-hand, and had only to be
transferred from another steamer and refitted, we have thought that,
with our assistance, she might be got ready much sooner than she
otherwise could be. We' have let Murray have carpenters, laborers,
and valuable materials from our yard, which will hasten very much
the completion of that vessel without any material detriment to us
Just now. If we had our center shaft we could launch and work our
whole force in all the departments to advantage. We shall, however,
look confidently for its safe arrival here the last of the week; in
which case we will require but few days to put everything in working
condition.
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| ***
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| Mr. Nelson
Tift has been at Atlanta the past two weeks superintending the
cutting and fitting our iron casing to patterns, and is now on his
way here urging its early transportation. We are short about 200
tons, most of which we think is on its way by railroad.
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| We will write you soon with reference to parties
here putting up a rolling mill.
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| We are
collecting our materials for the two gunboats, and we expect to
commence them this week and complete them within 60 days. We have
had the greatest difficulty in procuring fastenings and every other
description of iron, but now we are well provided for the work we
have undertaken.
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| Very respectfully,
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| N. & A. F. Tift
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