The Navy Department has commenced an important movement for the protection of our Pacific coast. On Monday last work was begun at Jersey City on the first vessel of a squadron of iron-clad war steamer, which are intended to cruise in the Pacific for the purpose of watching over tho commercial interests of the country in western waters and the other ships will be put on the stocks as soon as possible. Part of this fleet will be built in Atlantic ports, and part in the Pacific. Those which are to be constructed here will be made in sections, and transported in Government steamer to California, where they will be put together and prepared for immediate service. It is not considered proper to print the exact particulars of the new movement at present, but we may state that the vessels will be about 250 feet in length and of proportionate depth and width, and that they will be full armed and mailed.
The Weekly Ottumwa Courier, Ottumwa, IA