The iron-clad steamer Virginia.
The Norfolk Day Book has the following complimentary notice of the gentlemen who originated the plan upon which the ‘"Virginia"’ was built:To Messrs. Williamson, Chief Engineer, and John L. Porter, Naval Constructor, belong the credit of originating, devising, and carrying out the plan by which the unsightly, black and begrimed wreck left us by the Federals, was converted into the engine of war which now stands forth to duty the power of the combined navy of the North, and to challenge the admiration of the world.
These gentlemen having been directed by the Hon. Secretary of the Navy to report some plan by which the Merrimac might be rendered serviceable, reported that which was subsequently carried out — it having received the approval of the Department Mr. Williamson designed the alterations of machinery and Mr. Porter had charge of the reconstruction of the bail of the vessel.
During the long time necessarily consumed, with our limited resources, in building the vessel, these gentlemen had many difficulties to combat. Thousands of objections were raised against the plan-many of them by naval men, who gave expressions to their grave doubts or success, by asserting that she would not be sufficiently buoyant; that her bow and stern has not sufficient hearing on the water to keep in line with the rest of the ships; that she could not be steered properly, and many other like expressions.--These gentlemen strove on however, against this great tide of public opinion which act so strongly against them, and patiently abided their time, until now the great levia than that sprung into existence at their instance, has, by her success, fully proved the correctness their plans.
Messrs. Williamson and Porter are both natives of Virginia — the one a resident of Norfolk, the other of Portsmouth. They both belonged to the old navy, and resigned their positions in that service when their State withdrew from the Union. Not only has Virginia, but the whole South, reason to be proud of them, and we opens that talent such as they have exhibited, will not pass use warded.
It will perhaps astonish those over-cautious individuals who have opposed any considerable investment in preparations for naval warfare, to learn that it cost but $135,000 to fit up the Virginia, while in one day she destroyed over $1,100,000 of Yankee property, and came near multiplying the amount, while the damage inflicted by the enemy was comparatively insignificant.
The Petersburg Express publishes an extract from a private letter written by Mr. Porter, the naval constructor, which we append;
I received but little encouragement from any one while the Virginia was progressing Hundreds — I may say thousands--asserted she would never float. Some said she would turn bottom side up; others said the crew would suffocate; but the most hiss said the concussion and report from the guns would deafen the men. Some said she would not steer, and public opinion generally about here said she would never come out of the dock. You have no idea what I have suffered in mind since I commenced her; but I knew what I was about, and persevered.--Some of her inboard arrangements are of the most intricate character, and have cased me many sleepless nigh is in making them; but all have turned out right, and thanks are due to a kind Providence, whose blessing on my effort have many times invoked.
I must say I was astonished at the success of the Virginia. She destroyed the Cumberland in fifteen minutes, and in thirty more the Congress was captured.
The Minnesota would have shared the same fate, but she got aground and the Virginia could not get to her.
The Virginia steers beautifully, and her speed is three miles per hour more than it ever was she is very comfortable; there is not the least unpleasant sound from the guns and all the officers are highly pleased.
