Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-17

Upon the subject of The steam.iaiteIics
authorized by the law for the gradual in
crease of the navy" tile commissioners have
engaged one steam cDsine OF one hundred horse
power.
The commissioners have also established an
anchor shop at thus navy yard, where all the
anchors required will be made. They ale also
making at this yard iron cables.
Que ship OF the line is ordered To be laid
down at each of the following navy yards,
viz:
Portsmouth, E..ston,
New York, Philadelphia,
Washington, Norfolk
Preparations are also making ia each Of these
yards, and materials 10 a considerable eAtent
have been collected.
OF the ships ordered to he laid down those
at New York, Norfolk, aud Washington, have
been put OIL the stocks, and are progresSim: ::
those at the other points named, viii be laid
down as soon as circumstances will admit.
The ships now building under the act for
the gradual increase OF the navy" are regu-
lar two deck ships, and unless guns be mount
ed Oh their gangway, which is not usual, they
Will mount the same number OF gums With our
present. seveBty-tours. Hitherto no ship hav-
ing but TWO decks, has rated higher than an
eighty; and we beg leave to observe, that the
ships now building, are of inferior capacity 10
some ships OF other nations, having but two
decks.
The payment of moneys net coming within
tue province OF the bSard, they can offer no
definite information vi Oh that subject Upon
this branch of the inquiry they can only afford
information as to the probable amount of the
contracts made by them. As 10 the payments
made upon these contracts, and upon the pur-
chaSeS OF the respective navy agents, as also
the payments 10 the superintendent OF tim
Der, moulding, The carpenters aud laburers
employed in procuring timber, in the con-
struction OF the ships. and in the preparatory
arrangements in the different navy yards, and
tor the transportation OF timber, it is presumed
that the auditor of navy accounts can AFFORD
precise information.
On the subject of advances upon contracts
the board beg leave TO observe, that i'm two
instances only, namely, those for cannon car
ronades, and sho;, nave thew stipulated tn
make advances. In these cases they agreed
to DEF 4. I from their general rule upon the SUBJ
Ject, with view to the Improvement of the
ordnance of The navy, which, having been
found extremely defective. rendered il ne
cessary IN make ii series OF experiments which
subjected the contractors to considerable ex-
pence.
The navy commissioners would here res
pectfuIiy observe, that their ttention has been
engaged, since the act OF tie 29th Asrii, 1916
IN procuring, within the shortest period pLssi-
Die, the 1--we oak timber necessary in the con-
structlon of the ships authorized by that act
They found, in the outset, much difficulty i'm
forming contracts for this article the live oak
growing only IN places remote from our navy
yards, and where II Can be got out only in GER
tam months IN the year, interposed insur-
mOuntab!e difficulties to its being immediately
procured no contractor would engage to de-
liver the frame even OF frigate, in less than
two seasons. One cutting season ONLY having
elapsed since the passage of tine act of the Goth
April, 1916, will show why greater quantity
OF this timber has not at this time been deli
vered.
The commissioners now entertain 10 doubt
or being able 10 procure all the live oak requir-
Ell tor the ships authorized, as well as every
ether material necessary in their construc-
ton; and if it should be the wish of The exec
uilve, to iannch them within the period con-
priated.
have the honor to be, with great respect,
sir, your most obedient servant
JOHN RODGERS,
President Of the Nary Board,
The Hon. Benz. w. Crowuinshield,
Secretary of the Navy.