Problems With New Gunboats Being Built In St. Louis - 1861
 
 
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Problems With New Gunboats Being Built In St. Louis

1861

From:
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS
OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.
CHAPTER XVIII.
OPERATIONS IN MISSOURI, ARKANSAS. KANSAS, AND THE INDIAN TERRITORY.

 

 
SAINT LOUIS, MO., October 29, 1861.
General MEIGS, Washington, D. C.:
DEAR SIR: I am sorry to have caused you so much annoyance by my frequent importunity for money and complaints at existing state of things, but really our difficulties have been legion, and it is now almost a doubtful struggle in coming out right in the quotient; that is, of having gun and mortar boats in efficient condition for going down the river in December.

I am urging on the gunboats proper, but amid difficulties almost insuperable. Still I hope to succeed. I have appointed Mr. S. Henriques paymaster-in-chief, who, independently of doing a single paymaster’s duty for a gunboat, not only acts as my clerk and secretary, but also performs the duties of supervising contracts; in fact, is a thinking as well as working man. I appointed him to do the work intended for Mr. Wise while he acted in that capacity before being appointed assistant paymaster. I give him in all $200 per year less than Mr. Wise received. I trust that this is all right; in fact, I cannot get on without him, and he only could be secured at his present pay.
Excuse my hurry.
Respectfully and truly, yours,
A. H. FOOTE.
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SAINT Louis, Mo., November 7, 1861.
General MEIGS, Washington, D. C.:
DEAR SIR: I am happy to say, although at a late day, that guns, powder, shell, small-arms, as well as all or most material stores, are now here, and with the men coming (as I infer from Secretary Fox’s late letter to me that they will be on hand before the 25th instant), we shall be ready, as far as I can control matters, to equip and soon have the gunboats in fighting order. Still the boats are not ready, and I am nervously anxious about them, finding that they are drawing so much water on being launched, and therefore consider it my duty to make the following statement in reference to the gunboats and the mortar boats now building, most of which are already launched.
 
The gunboats draw light; but with the iron plating on (except 22 tons, mostly forward of the center of gravity), 5 feet 10 inches aft and 3 feet 11 inches forward, the fan-tail, forming the deck between hulls, abaft the wheel (the recess), is now 13 inches from the water lying still in smooth water. Two rudders are still to be shipped, and these in a short time, by absorption of water, will sink from their own weight if detached from the vessels. The wheel buckets are also to be put on, which will increase the weight astern. All of which you will see leaves little or no room for clearance of water, as the wheel buckets, rudders, &c., alluded to will have an actual weight of 3 1/2 tons on the extreme stern, which will reduce the clearance to 11 1/2 inches; I mean by clearance of water the confined space of 11 1/2 inches from the surface of the water to the deck forming the recess, which water will be so disturbed by the action of the wheel as to prevent the escapement of water in so confined a place, for the waves caused by the action of the wheel will be 4 feet, and the half of which, of course, as you will see, will be required for clearance. Now, all this is based upon the draught they will have when ready to receive armament, outfit, stores, and crew.
 
In my opinion the remedy which appears the most feasible to correct the evils that I have set forth is to cut out the deck and beams covering the clearance, springing a heavy timber arch over the space, and connecting the ends of the arch beams’ with, say, 2 1/2-inch round iron, and upon these beams construct a light deck. Mr. Eads, the contractor, believes that the draught astern will not be increased, for the reason that so much iron plating and a large portion of the vessel’s armament will go forward of the center of gravity, which will, in his opinion, lift the stern and give greater clearance. Mr. Eads also says that while he had no part in the modeling of these boats and is therefore relieved of all responsibility as to their imperfections, he thinks I am unnecessarily concerned as to the amount of clearance for the wheel and the difficulties which I fear will ensue from that defect.

I have had the mortar boats examined, and send herewith a rough sketch and description of them.* It is a pity that the decks will come nearly awash or even with the water; but still, the bulwarks being well calked and secured, it is believed that the boats will carry safely the mortars and beds, with necessary appurtenances, keeping the weight below 35 tons. I am greatly exercised about the mortar boats, and also the propellers to tow them, which have been ordered by General Frémont.
I am obeying these orders, however, and fitting out the boats as far as having no money or credit for this work will enable me to do.
 
Please telegraph me if I am authorized to appoint officers and get men for this purpose, as we are behind time, arising from causes wholly beyond my control.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE,
 Captain, U. S. Navy, &c.
* Omitted as of no present importance.
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QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
 Washington, November 15, 1861.
Capt. ANDREW H. FOOTE, U. S. N.,
 Commanding Gunboats, Saint Louis, Mo.:
SIR: I am instructed to say that General Halleck has instructions in regard to the gunboats.
The appropriation not being sufficient to complete and equip more than three altered and seven built gunboats, the department is embarrassed by the action of the commanding general [Department of the] West, in ordering so many mortar rafts, tugs, and altered boats in addition to those contracted for by this department.

All cannot be completed without further appropriations, and for the present at least this department cannot remit money except for those contracted for under its authority.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. C. MEIGS,
 Quartermaster-General.
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QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
 Washington, November 15, 1861.
Capt. ANDREW H. FOOTE, U. S. N., Saint Louis, Mo.:
DEAR CAPTAIN: I regret the bad promise of the gunboats in regard to draught.
I cannot advise you at this distance how to remedy the evil. One boat fitted up would show its extent, and enable you to determine the best means of remedy, if any be needed.
As for the mortar boats, I have written to you that the appropriation cannot meet the cost. They were never intended. I see Mr. Adams, with a letter from Lieutenant Porter, calls for forty more tugboats, small propellers.

Money is wanting. I am informed here that General Halleck has full instructions and I hope will bring order out of all this.
In the mean time use your own discretion as to alterations of construction.
We relied upon the naval constructor who modeled these gunboats. I still hope he has not blundered.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. C. MEIGS,
 Quartermaster-General.
 

 

 

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