Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-13


require and Justify the measure; visiting. among
other places on their way out, Para and the prln-
cpal ports OH the northern coast Of Brazil, where
the amount of our commerce, and the agitated
condition Of the country, make the presence OF
some of our public vessels judicious. and where
| none have shown themselves since the late war.
| In the Pacific no occurrence Of much interest
has happened since the last annual report. The
falmouth has been ordered to Join that squadron
instead of the st. LOUIS and the Potomac in place
of the Gurriere; and winch last vessel. it is gra-
tifyng to announce, arrived two days since, safe
lily, in Hampton Roads. Directions have been 81
ven to the new commander on that station to keep
one of his vessels constantly employed in cruz
ing among those islands in the Pacific to which
our whalemen and merchantmen resort for
either supplies or trade. Unfortunately tor
the credit Of our bills of exchange in that
quarter, the Department, early in the year,
felt compelled to refuse payment of some OF the
draughts by its former agents; and an attempt
was made to improve the forms of transactingbu-
siness there, and to lessen the expenses OF pro-
yding for the squadron, by sending out purser
to make purchases. and to take charge OF the
stores and provisions for the whole. Sufficient
time has not yet elapsed to test fully the success
Of this experiment, though the arrangement has
required and recently received some notifications
to promote its efficiency.
In consequence of most wantOn outrage up
on 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 IN
structions, and from the energy OF her comman-
der, favorable hopes are entertained OF procuring
some indemnity for that barbarous and p,ratical
injury. She has also been ordered, after leaving
Su,natra, to touch at Macao, and communicate
with Canton. The great value Of our commerce
in India and China, exceeding five millions an
nuaIly, and its constant exposure, with many va
luable lines, to insult and rapine, furnish strong
appeal to the Government for the protection OF a
naval force. Should appropriations be made Tor
the ensuing year, in conformity to the estimates,
it i'll enable the Department not only ostrength-
en- the squadron in the Mediterranean, and ex-
tend its cruizing ground with success, as before
suggested, but to guard more efficiently our ma
vigation on the coasts of South America, and pro-
vide sufficient force to visit occasionally the In
dian and Chinese seas. Anotherbenefical change
can also be accomplished, by thus having in our
power to keep one vessel of fit for active SER
vice at the shortest notice, within our own waters,
ready to be despatched to any weak or endanser.
ed point of our relations in any quarter ct the
world; and when not so wanted, to be employ
ed on the home station for purposes OF protection
to commerce, or of discipline to the navy, as the
interests of the country may appear to require:
A list of the different vessels now in commits
sion. with their several stations and commanders.
is subioned. 1t is due to those having special
charge of the ministerial duties OF this Depart
ment to add that the strictest attention appears
to have been paid to the prompt and thorough re-
pairs of all our force destined to foreign stations
\ - Moth al NOR lori on
ment for useful service, the vessels OF the United
States i'm commission were probably never in su-
perior condition.
The construction of the two Dry Docks has
advanced with great rapidty during the past year.
Both are now mostly completed, except the re-
moval of the Golfer dams, and the finishing OF
some of the gates and stea" machinery. They
present to the eve specimens Of stone masonry
seldom rivaled in beauty and solidity. The ex-
pendtures on each have been about $500, 600;
and, by the 4th of next July, it is hoped that
some of the public vessels requiring repairs may
be safely locked in these useful, economical, and
splendid conveniences for our naval establish
ment.
For greater detail on this subject, and on the
purchase Of materials under the act OF Congress
for the gradual Improvement Of the navy, refer
ence can be had to the report annexed.
A personal inspection, during the past season,
not only of the dry docks, but Of all the navy
yards except that near Pensacola. has caused. to
the head Of this Department. high qualification at
the prosperous condition of most of them. The
building of storehouses and sheds for the recep.
ton of materials, collected formerly Tor the era-
dual increase, and now collecting under the APP
propraton for the gradual Improvement OF the ma
w, seems conducted with great regard to dura
bility and convenience.
Experiments have been recently commenced.
with view TO settle beyond further controversy
the best mode and places in this country tor de-
posting. seasoning, and preserving the different
kinds Of timber in most general use here in naval
architecture. Whatever differences of opinion
may once have existed in Europe. or may now
prevail in America. on this subject. it is believed
we possess the means of removing them SO far as
regards our own service.
The buildings for accommodation to the OFF,
GERS of yards, reported IN the surveys and plans
of A. ID. 1928, are in progress where most need
ed, and, in connexlon with the storehouses, sheds,
wharves, walls, and ship-ways require annually
such appropriations as can be expended without