The Iron-Clads at Sea.
In his last annual report to Congress, the Secretary of the Navy thus refers to the cruise of the Miantonomah to Europe and her return and of the Monadnock to San Francisco, voyages the most remarkable ever undertaken by turreted iron-clad vessels. These vessels encountered every variety of weather, and under all circumstances proved themselves to be staunch, reliable sea-going ships. The monitor type of vessel has been constructed primarily for harbor defence, and it was not contemplated that they would do more than move from port to port on our own coast. These voyages demonstrate their ability to go to any part of the world, and it is believed by experienced naval officers that with slight modifications above the water line, in no way interfering with their efficiency in action, they will safely make the longest and most difficult voyages without convoy.
Steam, turreted iron-clads and fifteen-inch guns have revolutionized naval warfare, and foreign governments, becoming sensible of this great change, are slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that turreted vessels and heavy ordnance are essential parts of an efficient fighting navy.
THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN AS A MEDIUM OF BUSINESS.
We seldom publish the favorable opinions expressed by our correspondents when in their letters they allude to this journal. If we chose we could fill columns with notices similar to those which follow.
R. S. Miller of Logansport, Ind., under date of Dec. 2d, says:--
I have a club of 10 or 12 engaged, and will send names and money about the 20th inst. I have been reading the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN for several years and frequently I find items in it of more value than the year's subscription. In No. 9, present volume, you illustrated a plan for setting steam boilers. I was much pleased with it and showed it to a friend of mine who was about re-setting a 60-horse power boiler in his machine shop. He adopted the plan. Four week's use of the improved furnace proves all you claimed for it. My friend will be one of your new subscribers. I shall, in a few days, re-set my 15-horse power boiler according to the plan. Every live mechanic should take your valuable journal.
The Lamb Knitting Machine Manufacturing Co, Chicopee Falls, Mass., say:--