No. 1. Statement showing the number of horses, mules, wagons, ambulances, greatcoats, uniform coats, pantalcons, blankets, and tents, purchased at the principal depots from June 30, 1861, to September 30, 1862. No. 1.-Statement showing the number of horses, mules, wagons, ambulances, &c.—Continued. In addition to the woollen blankets there have been purchased 40,238 India-rubber blankets. Articles of equipage. No. 2. Statement of issues from the manufacturing and purchasing depots, and by the States of Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa, and Wisconsin,* during the fiscal year 1861-'62, and the amount remaining on hand at the principal depots June 30, 1862. *The amount of issues by the States named is taken from the returns as furnished to this office; the other States have rendered no returns. On hand June 30, 1852. No. 2.-Memorandum for General Totten by Mr. Lenthall, June 1, 1861. It does not seem to be practicable to make an armed steam vessel for the Mississippi that will be very efficient. The depth of water will not permit a vessel being fitted with a propeller and the engine below the deck, but it must be a side-wheel, requiring the support of guard beams, braces, &c., the cranks and shafts also exposed. It is thought that the most economical vessel for the purpose would be one built in the form of a batteau, the bottom flat and curving up at the ends; thus all the timbers of the bottom and of the sides would be straight and in a great measure from the saw, requiring in the angle or corner next the lower timber or floor a small knee; to this knee the upper timber would be bolted, and in the angle or bilge piece could be fitted, fastened through the timber and the outside planking. The beams of the deck to be fastened to a thick shelf piece or clamp, and also through the side of the vessel. The guard beams would require a knee under them. In order that there may be a clear deck, the hold must be deep enough to permit a man to stand under the deck; this will permit the boiler to be in the hold, also the cylinder, but the connecting rod will necessarily be above the deck-each engine acting separately on its own wheel. This will allow the fuel being under deck, or a considerable portion of it. The depth of the vessel will thus be, from the outside of the bottom plank to the top of the deck plank, eight feet 10 inches in the middle and eight feet seven inches at the side, the round of the deck being three inches. An extreme breadth of 28 feet has been assumed, and a length or deck of 170 feet; both ends of the vessel to be alike, and a rudder at each end. The bottom plank may be 5 to six inches, the planking of the sides 33 to four inches. The timbers below, or the floor timbers, six inches thick by 12 inches deep, and 18 inches asunder in the clear, the knee connecting the floor and upper timber to side six inches; the upper timber to set on the floor and alongside the knee, thus making a frame. The upper or side timber to side six inches and mould at the heel 9 to 10 inches, and at the top 7 to eight inches. These sizes to extend for a length of 70 feet in the middle of the vessel, from which to each end they may be moulded less. The thick clamp or shelf piece under the beam to be nine inches in thickness and about 14 inches deep. The bilge keelson in the throat of the knee to be 12 or 13 inches square; the middle keelson 14 inches thick by 18 inches high. The beams to side and mould 10 inches. The deck plank to be four inches thick. The guard beams to be secured below by iron braces from the outer ends, reaching as far under water as may be, and above by iron rods across the vessel. The diameter of the wheel about 24 feet, and the face of the bucket about seven feet. Cylinder, 18 inches in diameter and eight feet stroke. Boilers, three in number, four feet external diameter and 26 feet long. Such an engine might give a speed of nine miles in still water. The wheel to work as usual for snap, with arms and braces to remove. The weight of the hull will probably be from 200 to 210 tons; 100 men and effects, 12 tons; provisions for 20 days, six tons; boats and other small equipments, 12 tons; steam machinery, 35 tons; fuel for five days, at 16 tons per day, 80 tons; armament of four 8-inch guns, with powder, shot, &c., 40 tons-making in all 395 tons. For a draught of water of five feet, the displacement or total weight is, by the accompanying sketch, 436 tons, and the weight above given will then only immerse the vessel four feet seven to eight inches; the displacement per inch at the water line of five feet being 81 tons. The probable cost of the hull may be from nine to ten thousand dollars; that of the steam machinery from ten to twelve thousand dollars. The fastening of the hull to be of iron, varying from three-quarters to one inch. It is difficult for any one practiced in sea-going shipping to give precise in |