The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-21
NAVY REPORT.

This document states that the naval force
in commission has consisted of five frig-
ntes, eleven sloops, and seven schooners.
Our force abroad has been divided between
the Mediterranean, the West Indies, Bra
iii, and the Pacific. From the first station,
the Java, the Fairfield and the Constella-
lion have returned.
The squadron employed on the West In
dies has discharged its accustomed service
with fidelity and success nopiracies what
ever having been there perpetrated on our
commerce the slight disturbances near
Porto Cabello, Hayti and Havana. having
been promptly looked after. The Brazilian
station, notwithstanding the political COM
motions in its neighborhood has presented
little active employment for the squadron
The utmost security to our navigation in
that quarter, has existed, except a recent,
and, it is believed, unprecedented claim,
which has been made to disturb our vessels
engaged in seal catching at the Falkland
Islands. To guard against the i'll conse-
quences of this claim to our commercial in
terests prompt measuses have been taken, so
far as the subject comes within the Purview
Of the Department.
In the Pacific, no occurrence of much in
terest has happened. The Falmouth has
been ordered to join that squadron instead
OF the st. Louis, and the Potomac in place
of the Guerrero.
In consequence Of most wanton outrage
upon the American ship Friendship, on the
N. w. coast of Sumatra, the Potomac was
ordered to proceed to the Pacific, by the
way of the Cape of Good Hope and from
the caution used in her Instructions, and
from the energy of her commander, favora-
bic hopes are entertained of procuring some
indemnity for that harharuus and piratcal
injury. She has also been ordered, after
leaving Sumatra, to touch at Macao, and
communicate with Canton.
The construction of the two Dry Docks
has advanced with great rapidity during
the last year. Both are now mostly COM
plGted, except the removal of the Golfer
dams, and the finishing of some of the gates
and steam machinery. They present to
the eye, specimens Of stone masonry sell
dom rivalied in beauty and solidty. The
expenditures on each have been about
$500, 600; and by the 4th of July next, it
is hoped that some of the public vessels re-
quiring repairs may be safely locked in
these useful, and splendid convenences for
our naval establishment.
Experiments have been recently COM
menced, with a view to settle beyond fur
tber controversy the hest mode and places
in this country, for depoSi:ing, seasoning,
ard preserving different kinds of timber in
most general use in naval architecture.
The vessels in ordinary have been, at most
of tho navy yards, covered, SO as to shelter
them rffectually from sunshine and storms,
and to render their security from decay
much greater than heretofore. The three
new schooners authorized to be built under
the act of Congress Of February Sd, 1881,
were CONNIE need, one at the yard in Wash
ington, one at New York, and one at
Charlestown. They are nearly finished,
nnd the first named, on a plan seldom be-
lore attempted.
As a part CT the plan for the gradual i'm
provement of the navy, the attention of this
Department has, for some years been turn
ed to the rearing of live oak, and to its
preservation, when found growing on the
public lands. The plantation of trees, COM
nenccd few years since in Florida, was
not deemed proper subject OF further at
tention by my immediate predecessor. A
more extended plan of agents and vessels
for the discovery and preservation of s,ch
i've oak as is now growing on the public
lands. was devised last winter, dividing the
seaboard from the st. Mary's to the Sabine
into seven districts, with an agent in each,
md stntioning three small vessels at proper
distances on the COST, to aid in the same
object, and in the survey Of the bays. nav
igable creeks, and rivers in that region.
The building Of steam batteries i anoth-
or subject of much interest. While such
astonishing improvements are making in
the application Of steam, it would he mprov-
ident TO overlook its probable importance
hereafter IN maratime warfare, or fail to
Keep pace with other naval stations in any
new means Of attack or defence. Not
wthstnnding the high wages and great de-
mand for seamen in merchant vessels, the
naval service continues popular. No diff
Guilty has been experienced in obtaining
crews seasonably; indeed, the recruiting
rendezvous were closed some months ago,
and in the mean time. till more men were
wanted, they made repeated applications
for the rendezvous to be opened. Much
rare has been exerted to promote the well
fare Of seamen. Whenever their terms of
service expire abroad, they have for some
years, If not conscnting TO fe-enlist, been
sent home at the public expense.