Alexandria Gazette

THE IRON STEAMBOAT.

Yesterday, for the first time, we walked over to the boat yard of Messrs. Robinson & Minis, to look at the iron steamboat they are building. Some time since, we understood that she would be ready to make a trip about the 4th of July, but when we saw and examined her, and noticed the immense amount of work about her hull; we did not think it strange that she should require more time to complete her than was at first anticipated.

Her length is about 115 feet, breadth of beam about 25 feet, and depth of hold 6 feet. Her hull is composed entirely of iron. Her bottom, sides, and deck, being of sheets of iron, secured together by almost innumerable rivets; her ribs and beams are formed of strips of iron bent into this shape, so as to give them stiffness and to permit the bottom and the deck sheets to be readily riveted to them.

A water proof iron bulkhead extends through her whole length, and three similar bulk heads divide her length into four parts. Her hold will, therefore, be divided into six compartments, all separated by water proof sheet iron bulkheads, thus rendering the sinking of the boat almost impossible.

Her guards will also be composed exclusively of iron, so that her hull is entirely safe from fire.

The whole frame of the deck is so well secured together, as to give her very great stiffness and tenacity. We anticipate very confidently that she will prove a very valuable acquisition on our western waters, and the forerunner of many similar ones.

It has been suggested that she will endure for twenty years or more, and that, as there will probably, before that time, be many more like her, she should receive some name which will, so long as she lasts, point her out as the first iron boat built in the great valley. The Pioneer or the Experiment might do, had there not been many other Pioneers. The Number One has been mentioned, as a name sufficiently distinctive, and likely to continue so. The owners, we believe, are very desirous to select a suitable name, and will, in the language of advertisements, "receive proposals," through the post office or newspapers.

[Pittsburg Gazette.