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IT WAS DONE BEFORE The splendid way in which vessels arc now being turned out is not without precedent in this enter ¬ prising country In Itlaines Twenty Years of Congress he tells this story storyKy Ky the end of the year 1853 the government had 500 vessels of war which were increased to 700 before the rebellion was subdued Of the total number at least 75 were inrouclads It may be in ¬ stanced with laudable pride that one enterprising man honorably distinguished as a scientific engi ¬ neer constructed in less than 100 days an armored squadron of eight ships in the aggregate of 5000 tons burden capable of steaming nine knots an hour and destined for effective service upon the livers of the southwest When the contractor James It Eads of St Louis agreed to furnish these steamers to the government the tiinlxr from which they were to be built was still standing in the forest and the machinery with which the armor was to be rolled was not constructed Hartford Couraut
