ORN, Series 2, Vol. 1, Page 754

Friday, February 20, 1863
 
The committee met at 10 o'clock
Present Messrs. Semmes and Peyton
 
   Mr. E. C. MURRAY having been sworn, the following questions were put to him by Mr. SEMMES, on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy:
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   5th Question. State your arrangements for the iron for plating the vessel, how it was obtained, and how much was used.
   Mr. Murray. I bought about 500 tons of railroad iron that was sequestered by the Government at Algiers. I bought this from a man, I think named Wadley, who was president of the Vicksburg & Shreveport {Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas} road. This iron was purchased for that road, and Commodore Hollis, I believe, told me it belonged to alien enemies, and that I would have no trouble in getting it. I bought 500 tons, at $65 a ton, and used it upon the vessel, and about 30 or 40 tons were left.
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   10th Question. Where was the iron plating for the Mississippi on the 24th of April, 1862?
   Mr. Tift. I think about one-third of it at least was already laid upon the shield of the vessel. A large portion of it was on the wharf ready, to go on. The last train load of our iron was lying at the depot at the [New Orleans and] Jackson {New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern} Railroad on the 24th of April, l862.
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