February 13, 1863, The New York Herald
In the construction of vessels for our naval service during the past two years, the important point of obtaining the greatest possible speed appears to have been almost entirely neglected. The ability to carry a large number of heavy guns has alone been the object aimed at, and we have but little cause to congratulate ourselves upon the result. The first requisite in a man of war is speed. The most important element on the ocean is speed. Speed, above everything, guns, size and every other qualification, is the desideratum. Ability to carry a heavy battery is the second consideration; speed is the first; and until this plan is adopted and carried out in the construction of vessels for the navy there is little hope of our being able to cope with the other maritime Powers of the world.
The ship that has the ability by superior speed to take a position and maintain it in any naval engagement has much the advantage over a slower vessel, although she may carry a greater number of guns, and they of a heavier calibre. The news which we published yesterday relative to the chase of the privateer Florida by the United States steamer Sonoma, and the escape of the former by reason of her superior speed, fully confirms the above assertion. The Sonoma carries a battery sufficient to have crushed the Florida had she succeeded in getting alongside of her. Maffit knew this fact, and wisely took advantage of the Florida’s speed to run away from certain capture.
Our only hope of capturing the Alabama or Florida and the other steamers of a like character that are being constructed for the rebels in England is in having vessels of greater velocity. We must not place too much dependence upon number and size of guns; for, although they answer an excellent purpose when once along side of the enemy, they amount to nothing if we do not possess the ability to get alongside or bring the enemy’s ship within the range of our battery. What is the use of splendid Dahlgrens if we cannot get near enough to use them? We have a large navy; but it consists principally of slow coaches and lame ducks, vessels that if the rebel privateers cannot fight they can run away from, which is all they desire; for their object is not to obtain glory by fighting an equal match, but by injuring and destroying as much of our commerce as possible. The few ships we possess that are the equals in point of speed of the Alabama and Florida are, with a single exception, purchased vessels, built for the merchant service, and exceedingly liable to be disabled in their machinery on account of its being nearly all above the water line. Taking, as samples of vessels of this class, the Vanderbilt, Connecticut and Rhode Island, we have three ships which, for the purpose they were intended, are without superiors; but the chances are that, if coming under the fire of the Alabama or Florida they would be, by a well directed shot or shell at close quarters, crippled and become an easy prize.
If we cannot build ships at home we should go elsewhere for them. But what will the world think of that course after our boasting over the clipper ships, the Collins steamers, the Vanderbilt, and so on? John Bull will work for us as well as the rebels, provided he can make money by the operation; and it were better that we should be swindled by English contractors so long as we obtain a good article for our money, than be swindled by contractors at home and obtain ships that are worthless. There is no denying the fact that England is very far ahead of us in the construction of screw steamships for war purposes. If we did not know it before, we have discovered it to our cost since the war commenced; and, if it is not too late to profit by what we have learned, let us take immediate steps to remedy the evil by purchasing vessels abroad, if they cannot be had at home, and stop building and launching absurdities called gunboats, that are being added daily to our large but apparently inefficient navy. Will Mr. Welles consider this matter and take means to procure a few vessels for cruisers that will be of service, instead of contracting for ships that cause our naval officers to blush when they look upon them and tremble for their reputations? What we want are a reform in the Navy Department and fast ships; then the Dahlgrens and the Parrotts will complete the work.