Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-16
DOCU0HENT

DOCUMENTS.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Navy DEPARrNESr, Nov. -, 1884
TO the President Of The United States:
SIR: In laying before You this time succnc view
OF the condition of Navy and its operations durin
the past year. 1T affords great pleasure state that
its gradual increase and improvement are such as might
have been anticipated from the ample for that pr
pose which have been afforded by tho liberal policy Of
Congress.
All the services required of naval force have been
promptly performed. Our commerce has been protect
ed in the remote we'll the ncighboring seas our ma
uona character has been sustained at home and abroad
while large portion of naval officers seamen and
marines have been kept in active service under strict
uscipne calculated to fit them for all the duties which
may be required of thcm whether ia defending our pro-
perry on the ocean from pirates open enemies. our
shores from hostile aggression or our fac from insult
An inspection of our Navy Yards Portsmouth, Bos
ton, New York Philadelphia. Washington and Norfolk
made IN August and September last, in company with
the Commissioners of the Navy Board has afforded inc
the most satisfactory evidence Of means in Short
time, of increasing Navy any extent the cxgcm-
cics OF our country may require.
The officers in charge OF those stations perform tllcir
duties with great ability and zeal the budnD and re-
paring OF our ships are conducted with despatch and
economy; and the ample materials on hand for nayol
PURPOSES are preserved with the greatest care and bv
all the means which science and experience suggest
to prevent decay.
Our naval force consists of six ships of the lirc and
seven frgaes, building for the completion of which
additional appropriations the amount of 81 5o7 6io
viii be requred of five ships the line two fpntes
and SIX sloops of in ordinary, requiring reDairs
which will cost 81 1862 000 in addition the materials
frgaes eight soops of war; and six schooncrs in com
mission in all, twelve ships the line thirteen frigatcs
fourteen soops of war; and six schooners Besides which
lhe frames OF SHIPS procured or under contract for the
gradual increase of the Navy and other materials ON
anu OF under contract tor that purpose, will afford the
bly, be required, additional force of five shns of Tho
nc eleven igates seven soops ofwar and two schoon-
CTS, tle Duliding OF which may be Immediately com
mcnced on LAUNCHING vessels upon the stocks
Our vessels in commission during the past year have
been employed, heretofore, in protecting our com
mediterranean, IDdie
coast OF Brazil and in the Pacific Ocean.
The ship Of the line Delaware, the frigatcs United
States and Constellation the sloo of John Adams
and the schooner Shark have employed i'm the
Mediterranean and tho fgatc Potomac after her re-
turn from the Pacific and Indian Oceans was repaired
and sailed on the Goth Of last month Join the Acdter
ranean squadron, from which the ffigate Constellation
had been ordered TO return This gatc arrived al Nor
folk on the both inst The soop of John Adams re-
turned to the United States in February from the Acdi
erranean, and sailed again for that station in August
>iasI, after receiving necessary repairs
On the West India station the sloops Of war Vandalin
st Louis, and Falmouth and the schooners Grampus
and Experiment, have been employed The 81 onis
returned to Norfolk in July last where she hasbccn re-
paired, and from whence she sailed the Iiti instant
10 resume her station in the West Injics The VamdaI
returned in August last to Norfolk where she is under
going considerable repairs, which is believed will be
completed early next month when shc viii 20 the
West India squadron.
The soops of Naichcz Ontqrio Erie LEXINGTON.
and Peacock and the schooncrs Enterprise and Boxer
composed our squadron on the coast Of Brazil The Erie
ed hol san lor inns Saton until August last The Lex
ngton retained the United States in April and the
Peacock in May last. The Enterprise returncdiB April
and sailed again fer the Brazilian station i'm July is II,
which month the Boxer returned TO the United states
and after being repaired sailed for the Pacific The
Peacock now UNDERGOING conaler,la roro;rs ~ -.
expected to be ready for carly in February next
For our station in the Pacific, the lrgae Brandywinc
sailed ON the I'd Of June last to cooperate with the
sloops of war Fairfield aId Vincenncs the schooner
Dolphin, and with the Boxer on her way to tbat
station from which the Falmouth returned hc LIST of
February and, after having been repaired sailed for te
West India station, in March last
Our naval force consisting cfconmissoned and war
rant oincers, petty officers, seamcn ordinary seaen
ondsmen ana boys amounts TO cog and marine
corps, under its organization viii consist of commits
stoned officers, non-commissoncd officers musicians
s ss5Bp rv''s' to the number OF 2a making total Of
The Dry Docks at Boston and Norfolk have a.lly an
swered the most sanguine expectations that were formed
OF their usefulness They deemed dindispensa-
bic to speedy and economical repair Of our larger yes
sells But the two already finished not sufficient for
some intermediate point between Boston aud Norfolk
would greatly promote the purposes fr which our Navy
- esiablished and maintained As site for such add
tona Dry Dock the hrbor Of New York presents great
advantages than be found in any other tn9tio
among which may be enumerated the great commerce Of
the place. the facilities which the city Of New York NJ
ords for recruiting scancn and for procuring all mate
fals as well as Tor employing skiul mechanics and Ia
borcrs necessary for repairing vessels
The experience acquired in making the two dry docks
already finished, cannot fail to be of great advantage in
the construction Of third.
would respectfully repeat recommendation of my
predecessor thl authority be given T. construct two or
three steam batteries, the means Of tcsno the onnl
cetOh OF steam 70 inc purposes Of national defence
~ can hardly be doubted that the power Of steam IL
soon To produce great revolution in Tic defence Of
rivers bays coasts and harbors, il has already done
IN the commerce. intercourse and busncssof all casscs
Of men, in Europe well America This auIiect
has already attracted the attention Of the maritime now
es Europe and our honor well safety requires
That no nation whose fleets may come in conflict with
ours should be in advance Of in the science and an
Pcation Of this power upon which the success of or
future wars with them may depend
Should tio power Of steam, az a meapq Of defence
produce all The effects that may be Justly anticipated
wih dmns IN some instances, the necessity perina
nen IoIuhoauons on orr COASTS, by substituting thoso
winch may DC moved from place 10 place they may he
wanted and IN orr own waters become the formidable
engines OF attack as well defence. The heavy and
cumbrous steam vessels and batteries with their mecca
sary apparatus and supplies, which may be brought into
acton win me most powerful effect By nation near ito
own shores and harbos cannot be- Transported over die
n seas and oceans for the purpose Of attacking s enc
mics should, therefore, the application Of steam he
come port Of the system of maritime war il Is conso
Iauon 10 reflect that u win greatly diminish the freqncn