satisfactory to the inventors, but better economy than specified appropriations by Congress in each case on vague estimates, which are the only ones that can be furnished. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. GALUSHA A. GROW, Speaker of the House of Representatives. GIDEON WELLES, BOARD OF EXAMINERS, May 28, 1862. SIR: The board of examiners have, as directed by the department, examined the plans and model of Mr. W. F. Durfee for a steam battery. The bottom of this model is similar in form to what has been the usual practice, except at the bow, into which is built a gun to be fired under water. The lines of the forward part of the vessel are made to converge into and are terminated by the gun, which may also be used as a ram. He also proposes two guns to be placed amidships, to be also fired under water. The form of these guns and the manner of working them are very ingenious. If guns can be used under water to advantage, (of which the board have serious doubts,) the plan proposed by Mr. Durfee to work them is more feasible than any yet offered for examination. There are also to be one revolving tower amidships and one fixed tower in the forward part of the vessel, with the gun revolving upon a platform. It is proposed to have the guns so mounted that they are turned, elevated, and depressed in the centre of the port, so as to make the ports as small as possible. The plans are well conceived and show much ingenuity, and Mr. Durfee deserves great credit for his efforts to produce an efficient ship. But, after a careful examination of his plans and listening to his explanations, the board have come to the conclusion that, until more reliable experiments are made to test the efficiency of guns fired under water, they cannot recommend this plan for adoption. The manner of mounting the guns in the tower-the muzzle to rest in a chock fitted upon the end of the carriage when elevated or depressed-would be found difficult in practice and not reliable. The gun built into the bow of the vessel, with the addition of the tower, would be too much weight in that end of the vessel, and could not be supported in the manner proposed. The iron shield over the rudder is also objectionable, as it cannot be supported, and would weaken the vessel. The weights at the extremities should be avoided as much as possible. This plan is not recommended for adoption. Very respectfully, By order of the board: Hon. GIDEON WELLES, W. B. SHUBRICK, Senior Officer. 2d Session. No. 127. PRISONERS IN PENITENTIARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BY SENTENCE OF COURTS-MARTIAL. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE IN ANSWER TO THE INTERIOR, Resolution of the House of 11th instant, transmitting a list of prisoners confined in the penitentiary in the District of Columbia by sentence of courtsmartial. JUNE 12, 1862.- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, June 12, 1862. SIR: Agreeably to the resolution of the House of the 11th instant, I have the honor herewith to enclose to you a list of the number of prisoners confined in the penitentiary of this District by sentence of courts-martial, with a statement of the charges preferred against them, and the term of their sentence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, List of prisoners confined in the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia by sentence of courts-martial. No. Date. State. Charges. Term. Assault with intent to kill, violation of 9th article of war. Assault with intent to kill, violation of 9th, 45th, and 50th articles of war. Desertion. Disobedience of orders, bad conduct, absence without leave Throwing a glass bottle at an officer with intent to kill, using abusive language. Assault and battery, robbery Absence without leave, bad conduct, violation of 9th article of war.. Forging orders on paymaster for sutler's stores amounting to $11 Bad conduct. Attempting to strike and offering violence to his superior officer Violation of 9th article of war, absence without leave, bad conduct, &c. Violation of 9th article of war .... Disobedience of orders, bad conduct, violation of 9th article of war.. Mutinous conduct, violation of 9th article of war. Violation of 7th article of war Threatening to shoot his commading officer whenever he could get Six months. the opportunity. No charge stated in the papers.. Escaping from guard-house, violation of 6th and 9th articles of war, &c. One year. Deserting his guard, mutinous conduct. 41 Mar. 5, 1862 No charge stated in papers.. Desertion. ..do.. ..do.. New York. ..do.. .do.. Desertion, and violation of 20th article of war. .......do ------- Refusing to mount guard, violation of 9th article of war, breach of .do.. ...do. Violation of 6th and 46th articles of war. Disrespect and contempt towards superior officer, violation of 9th article of war. Desertion, violation of 22d article of war.. Disobedience of orders, violation of 9th article of war, bad conduct. Two years. One year. One year. 45 .do. ..do. ..do.. Drunkeness, disrespect, violation of 9th article of war No charge stated in papers. Violation of 6th and 9th articles of war. No charge stated in papers. ..do.. Violation of 9th article of war. ..do.. Bad conduct.. ..do. Violation of 46th article of war.. Disobedience of orders, bad conduct. Neglect of duty, violation of 46th article of war. Two years. Two years. Two years. One year. No. Date. List of prisoners confined in the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia-Continued. State. Charges. Term. Disobedience of orders, violation of 9th article of war Neglect of duty Leaving his post before relieved, disobedience of orders No charge stated Mutiny and disobedience of orders. ..do .--. No charge stated in the papers. Mutiny and disobedience of orders. ..do ... No charge stated. Disrespect to officer, violation of the 6th article of war. Violation of the 7th article of war..... Desertion |
