Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-16
0OM@MMSaIOMAN
REPORT of the SECRETaRYo Of the N9


The result OF this survey was entirely favorable 10
the expectation OF success from such an under akiny
and az an expense not estimated to exceed Si07 600.
Whether the work, II i; cot, II TO accomplished, would
secure a permanent facility Of entrance, unipfiuencpd
by the operations Of the lilies and storms, can only b,
determined by the experiment. The o. iect. however
Is one OF deep interest TO those Sc ctiens Of the United
states embraced within the valley Of the Mis,issippi.
as well as TO those engaged in conveying their proiuc.
tions 10 market.
TIE communication made by the Commissioners Of
the Navy, dated 10Th October, 1929. and addressed
to you, with the report on naval affairs, at the com
msncemen, Of he la.t session OF Congress, Afforded soma
views in relation 20 the fitness of the harhor OF New.
port, Rhode Island, or some place in the Narragansst
hay, fora naval depot ard rendszvous Tor the United
Ssa'es' Navy.
From this II sppears u a. he general aIvapt,ses .,
this baroor or bay, for such purposes, ars, in some res.
pec''' superior to any position east Of the Chesapeake
bay. 10 addition TO IN. inforn alton furnished bv mi,
document. II viii be found. on reference TO the sur.
yeys OF Caotains Evans end Perry, made by order of
tue Navy Departn ent in 1915 and 1877, that the MIA
ce" reiet'od to combine almo.t every advantage de.
siraoie Tor such an establishment. especially a facility
oil iDgiess and egress, with a sufficient depth of water
TOT ships oithe largest classeS, and OF a capacity TO per.
init the largest fleets TO ride within their waters, in
fecuihy I ON storms, or obsiruc,ions from aecumuIs.
mons OF ice; that it's proximity TO the ocean gives all he
advantages Of convenient attack or retreat from an ems.
my; and That, from the number and nature of the chan
neIs OF entrance and departure, a feet could no, be-
biockadcd within it,, without, an application of force in
eomparabiy g'ea'er ihan The one intended to be sbu,
up; and that IL is believed TO be defe n.ible al an exoenss
Tar less than that which has been incurred for simil,r
objects. 10 addition TO these Important ADVANTAGE. 4,
,s deserihedb by the officer above-named a, admitiiDg Of
'he entIanee oil vessels with the wind blowing from,
poin's OF me conpgs', during the prevalence of shicb
u would be impossible 10 make a port In INV ba,bor I'm
,he eastern coat OF ,hs United States. This peculiar
iaciiny might 1.-THE barbor was properly dsfeuied, re.
sun In the security Of a fleet from the attacks of A anne.
ITO enemy and affords the strongest inducements 10
provide lor Its scientihcal survey, and The detemin,
uon OF all The points connected with the subject.
II is respectfully recommended that an approximation
20 AZ, hp'ising such 'urv'y by the proper Engi.
neers, oil The harbor OF Newport, or other positions on
Nsrraganset bay, with a view TO the selection Of a site
Offering the greatest number of these ADVANTAGE
and susceptible Of defence at the least expense to the
nation.
Some difference Of opinion having t,ksn ,l,.. 81.
tween the Commissioners OF Navy Yard, who wer.
appolnted 10 examine the sites at the NAVY YsrJ in
brooklyn aud Governor Island, TO determine which AZ
me TWO portions was NOR eligible for a naval demo.
and building yard, no selection had been male Go, tbs
euiid'ngs which were required for the several pnrpo.ss
oil The establishment. This yard bad conseouen,y =.
msined nDimprov~d, 10 the gIeat iniurv NJ ia. .,a,o,
materials winch had been collected there, az well a.
the general operations oi building ard repairing.
me SUBJECT having been r. f.Tred TO your consider,-
Wn, snd all The documents explaining the relative adj.
vsDtsges OF the two sites having been laid before vou.
nha., IN conformity with your opinion, been ordered
that the timber houses shall be etected AZ ,bs otd 80
iablishmeni at Brooklyn, until further sutvev, = =.
mgdr, shofdIrg such minute Information az will iusuf0
a hnal dispo iion Of the su j ct.
ihs papers herewith transmitted, marked r h,,,i,b
s's'ements communicated by the Board Of Navy Com.
missioDeIs O
Nc shows The number Of vessels Of war in o,di.
nary At th- d 6-rent stations, their pre..n, condi,;on
aud the progress which has been mads In n,n,..iay
mem rom the effects Of the weather, and The s,nsn.s
which must he incurred for their thorough repair.
NO q -hnws That there are now on he stocks. we'll
projected rom the weather, and In a very advanced
stage Of preparation, five ships Of the line and seven
Inghies Ihs'e ran he readily finished and out in com.
n'isSloD, wD'neV'r 'he exigencies Of the service NAV
demand an increase cf The naval force. '
. An important citcumstanee ATTENDING mi, .o.a,;o.
81 Inc vessels alluded to-, IL, that they may he retained
Tor any length OF time 10 their present siiy,,ion 1T
out material Injury from any cause OF decav a,d H.,
'",s = ,nee,ed az an expense scarcely worth estimating
MOB exhibits the measures taken for the pro,srtion
OF The vessels in ordinary from further decav'
The list marked 4, giving a view Of the ou ,n,,v y,
materials for the Navy collected at the several places NJ
hsPe,' shows that, making all due allowance for Ina,
portion which has been rendered unfit for use nv ,hei,
long exposure to the weather, there IL still remaining
large supply OF the most valuable qualities.
The great loss which has been suffered from the
causes mentioned above, has made II necessary TO urge
the adoption OF measures to prevent lie f,ture occ,s
renee; and instructions have been issued ~ ,roytI, =.
time the necessary houses and timber.sbeds IN :, +.
guard against the injurious exposure Of tho mats,;sI. :,
the weather, after they shall have been dsno.i,"J 20 ~ :
respective Navy yards. }"
The accompanying extracts Of letters. marked q -
dressed to the Department by the officers of the ~,
who Rave had opportunities Of witnessing the emniayy
ment Of canvass made from cotton on board their re-.
Pectlye vessels, are here with presented for your consi
Iteration.
The results Of their observations 20 far 10 confirm IN
IaVorapIe ee,icipailons which have been entertained a
the value OF thh kind Of canvass. And the opinion ma,
now, with some confidence, be offered. ina, ,bis ..,t"f
Of domestic production will ultimately suncrseda ~,
necessity for The importation Of foreign bc,on- Gs az
manufacture Of a large portion Of The canvaIs rem,iso
for the U. States Navy. f"'e'
The laws Tor the government Of he Navy
ed 70 reqpire revision. Under the vague and inJc,.
sinaie provisions NJ tkese lave, h can seorcely hhaon'er
en-