Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-03

DSes ~ ROY appear an anomaly IN the revolutions oil
nation, and the history OF politics, thas governms
should neglect the Navy, and look with such supinc
Indifference to the imp ovsment OF that mighty
arm of national defenc-l Why should the gener.
al government decline to extend more literally he,
patronsing hand 10 the Navy, and give the System
progressive inpe u' commemorate with the Z" age
OF improvement ?" Can il be- because the organic l,or
OF its members s sufficiently pure and IN. theory
practice OF the system evidently the hes, founded and
most efficient! IL the Navy incapable Of REFORM or i.
il beyond the reach Of improving hsni These
latter are questions that require no answer. While
to the young Officer there held no facilities OF OBJ
tanning toerabe emiuenre in his profe son, az
man OF Leaning ADD of sci nee il cannot, with con
sistency, be expected to find among he sal
ors that superior condition and practice, excellence ia
the use and theory OF naval gunnery, OF which the
wellained cannonier sboul be 10 there evi.
IDENTIFY is but tie attention paid TO thi important
branch OF naval defence The prac ice Of exercising
the crew, by firing at Target either at in pert,
IL rare ird1ed: not Commander In four (I spea
within bound- exercises bis ships crew, during their
whole term OF service, by firing shot the ben
eff! resulting from his practice. under the present ar
rangemens, IL of suflice Justify the
expenditure OF po,Dder and ball. That our officers
s'ould not wish to make the u States Navy nursery
fr that OF al, other nations, IL very correct aud natu
raj .upposi;ion All he man-of skill excellence
and superiority, that ships acquire during their
term OF service, are Loaf t, the public ssrvc. i'm ed.
a'ely on their dicharge much of carried into the
service OF ether ions, and OF H. probably into
the employ of that power. whose forces may be call.
ed upon 10 oppose. Ship after ship may be commits.
sioaei, their drilled, and the expiration OF their
than to re'urn TO the U. States Navy.
The msterie OF our Navy is in the 6nest possible
conii,ion our ships good ia every feature Of walke
quality-and the personnel" decidedly the best 10
the world. But Improve in the system ia loudly
called for. The fundamental principles which should
orm the basis OF tn 4. may be adopted for
the improvement If the present system, are, that no
plan should be put in force which does provide
body corrorat- OF to be insv cited 10 he duties
theory and practice Of naval ordnance. The advantage
Importance of assessing in time of action, excellent
Gunners and nice and expert Marksmen to direct the
fire, SUCH that only the fate OF the vessel but
the honour OF the Flag depend almost entirely upon
this circumstance alone. Why then, neglect any thing
OF such vital importance: man may acquire in the
Merchant service, all the skill and proficiency of per-
feet Saor he may handle the marlin spike and serving
mallet with the mastery Of the thorough bred seaman
but when placed the breech of Gun TO manage ant
command her, any iubber, of the daring intrepid
y would fight the piece well, and probably, from his
practice in sold field shooting" would make more shot
tell in the hulls of the enemy Long and constant
ce only give perfection in the of training and
hiring ordnance, with olerable degree of precision
The roll and pitch OF the ship the rise and fall Of the
side engaged, have such powerful bearings upon the
accuracy and effect of fire, that nothing short of close
observation and frequent exercise, teach the can
nonier how TO make proper allowances for the effect
OF this combined motion, upon the direction Of the piece
In all cases OF gunnery accurate estimation OF the
distance is OF the first importance the different degrees
of vaton he take for different distances beyond
tain Iims,) by merely coup dRH be readily known.
Practice, them appears to be the grand desideratum,
Is oil aVail,
cause Of the short time the practitioners remain in
vice. That certain number OF wcll-traned gunners
should be regularly attached 10 the Navy is highly i'm
portant and FOR that purpose would suggest the Sc
cretay of the Navy, the proprey OF annually enlist
ing into the service certain number of boys from the
ages of 10 to H. who to remain in service az
tees, until they arrive the age OF twenty one allow
ing them from six TO ten dollars per month, appointing
certain persons TO instruct them in the various duties OF
Man-o-war at sea, well as i'm port; and when sea-
the Commander should be required TO teach them par
dculary the and practice OF ordnance. By these
means, at the expiration Of their apprenticeship, they
will have become good seamen, and excellent
iers inducements for their reenerng service should
he held offering increase of pay, above that Of
seamen, and always selecting Except in particular in
sances) from them, the most deserving TO be promoted
to petty officers, and the highly meritorous to be
couraged and rewarded by promoting them to the Off
GERS Of Boasmain and faster Gunner and i'm all silua
tons, except the latter, they should be Captains guns
Thus, with but very little more expeDse,we should have
IN Navy number OF men brought up and educated
under discipline, and whose services, in time
of war, would be highly important and useful.