The Daily Dispatch: November 5, 1860., [Electronic resource]

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The Conversion of Sailing vessels into Steamers.

--‘The Board appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to examine the sailing ships of the Navy to determine the expediency of converting them into efficient war steamers — which has been in session for some time — have completed their report and submitted it to the Secretary. After careful and thorough examination of all the ships at the navy yards on the Atlantic coast, they have found it inexpedient, owing to their small capacity and various other considerations, to recommend any but the following line-of-battle ships: Pennsylvania, Columbus, Ohio, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, New York. The other two--the Delaware and New Orleans — are unfit, both in frame and planking, for this alteration. The entire cost of converting these ships, according to their estimate, will be $3,064,000--about one-half the cost of steam frigates of the Minnesota class. The Board close their report as follows: "We are, therefore, of opinion that, in view of the cost, condition, model, and general character of the vessels after their conversion, it is expedient to convert the above — named line-of-battle ships into steamers in the manner proposed; and we believe they will prove to be efficient steamships-of-war of full steam power."’