The Express.
London, England, 1859-08-03 00:00:00

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4011,011. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3.

IT has beams absolutely necessary that oar
authorities amiss some mein satisfactory plan than
any they have yet put into operation for manning
the Navy. It is of little use to point to the alleged
success of the notable " bounty scheme." Naval
captains shake their heads, and admit that, though
• well•intended expedient, it moat not be repeated.
Disarmament may proceed upon the Continent, the
French may lay up their ships, disband their sea-
men, arrest the progress of the vest work. now
going oe at their different arsenals, but we
are not in a situation to follow the example,
for we have, first, to make our Navy really efficient,
so as to he ready at a short warning. Were we to
complete the vessels and the works now in process
of construction—were we to continue to display, for
• couple of years to come, the unwonted energy just
now discernible in our dockyards—we should still be
doing no more than would suffice to place the naval
power of the country upon such a footing as it ought
to be in time of European peace.
If at the present moment many vessels in com-
mission are lying at our different naval ports unable to
complete their complements; if on board some of these
dissatisfaction is found to be spreading ; if there is
no perceptible diminution of that disinclination on
the part of merchant seamen to enter on board her
Majesty's ships; if the temptation of a large bounty
has failed to EMUS • competent supply of qualified
men now, to what expedient shall we resort when
there is an absolute necessity for them, on the first
outbreak of hostilities ? It is idle to say that there
would then be less demand for hands in the merchant
service, and that the prospect of priremoney would
induce thousands at much a time to brook the stern
discipline of a man-of-war who will now listen to no
persuasion. It is only necessary to refer to the last
great war, daring the whole continuance of which
recourse to impressment was found absolutely indis-
pensable. That harsh and clumsy practice can •ever
more be resorted to. At the same time soma
alternative must be thought of. It; ha
within these last few days been resolved to reduce
the lately proffered bounty from 101. to 81., but to
extend the period during which it may yet be re-
ceived for some months beyond the time originally
prescribed, it being considered, we suppose, that dur-
ing the autumn there will be a greater number of sea-
men obtainable than there was in May. Be that as it
may, it is beyond doubt that men do not come forward,
that they prefer serving on board merchant ships, or
even in American men-of-war, rather than encounter
the hardships and discipline of the British Navy.
In the rapidity, certainty, and precision with
which a French fleet con be manned by sailors who
have for the most part all been previously trained,
our neighbours find immense advantages in their
" maritime inscription ;" but their system is wholly
incompatible with our institutions.
The Act, of which Lord CLARENCE PAGET recently
gave notice, is intended in some respects to meet the
difficulty, and to remedy the defect just noticed. Its
principal object will be to provide for the permanent
main:enance of • body of volunteer seamen at each
of our more important ports, ready to be sent on
board such ships es might need hands to complete
their equipment. Our readers will doubtless remem-
ber that the proposal is one among several we sag-
gested some months since to met. the exigencies of
the case, and it must be admitted that no preferable
plan has as yet been brought forward. The main
objection urged against it has been that of expense.
It has been represented that to keep up con-
tinually in • variety of naval barracks, or depots,
• body of many thousand seamen, would add
enormously to the Navy estimates, and would
is the long run cost more than the delay which now
occurs from the detention of newly commissioned
ships waiting to complete their crews. But there is
no reason why these Marine Volunteers, while wait-
ing for their turn of duty at sea, should be passing
their time in unprofitable indolence. They might
be undergoing ► replier course of drill, be 0241111111.1
daily in gunnery, be emp:oyed to garrison our smut
fortifications, and might be thus in a variety of ways
rendered far more useful and efficient when seat es
board • frigate or line-of-battle ship, then the ordi-
nary run of second clams seamen, or even of A. B.s,
who bare never served except in coasters or in mer-
chant vessels.
The "Inscription" giro France a corps of upwards
of 90,000 to draw upon in time of need. If we could
rely upon a supply of 20,000, or even of 16,000,

trained men of this clue, in addition to those we are
now in the habit of obtaining, it would not only bo

a source of great confidence to the community, bat
it would form the anent bulwark that could be
raised against the posibitity of aggression from 'ay
fanign Power.
Oar present force comprises 34,400 seam= (each'-
.

sive of the coast-guard men on shore), 6,100 boys,
13,000 marines—altogether a total of 53,000 men
Is the opinion of competent naval authorities this ii
much too small a number even for a peace establish-
ment. It is said that they should be increased by
the addition of at least 7,000 seamen and 10,000
marines. Had we in addition 23,000 or 30,000
seamen in metes there is se doubt that our position
would not only be healthier and sounder in every
way, but we should be lass liable to the occurrence
of those periodical and discreditable panics to which
we have too frequently to submit, occasioning as
they do, whenever they tale place, so lamentable
a depreciation of all securities, if not of property
generally throughout the country.
Another proposition which has been made public
would leave the number of seamen as above
stated, bet would raise that of the marines to
40,000, so as to form at the same time temporary
garrisons for the chief seaports, their duties
being undertaken, should they be themselves
required afloat, by the Line, the Militia,
or by properly trained Volaateers. This
project would, we apprehend, tend but slightly
to remove the main difikalty. Useful and valuable
as the Marines doubtless are in say operations
that may be required at sea er es shore, they