The next naval expedition, which is now preparing at New
York and other points, is to be commanded by Com. Farragut, and reports are
abroad, some stating that it is destined for Savannah and others assigning it
to the western part of the Gulf. It will
be by far the most powerful naval force yet fitted out, and will consist of the
Hartford, Richmond, Pensacola and other large steam frigates, a great number of
gunboats, and twenty or thirty vessels carrying mortars and thirty-two
pounders.
The mortar flotilla connected with this expedition is under
the command of Capt. D. D. Porter and is being hurried towards completion with
all possible haste, but from its extent some weeks may elapse before all the
vessels are ready to proceed to sea. The
armament being of a kind rather novel to our navy, has caused some delay in
fitting out the first vessels of the flotilla, but those obstacles are now
overcome, and the vessels are nearly all ready for their guns. – The mortar,
which is placed amidships of each craft, weighs about 17,000 pounds, and is
bored for 13-inch projectiles, the most formidable known to modern warfare.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2
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