Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-25

r sU,sndmsn, new sosO has already econ prepared
by board Of officers constituted for The purpose when
il is proposed to incorporate IN the general revision OF
Q the naval code, hereinbefore recommended
The propriety of establishing nava! schools has ire
quenty been submitted the consideration OF Congress
again respectfully bring to your notice, as suoect
ofncreasng interest to the Navy. The use OF steam
vessels in will render necessary Inherent oraef
of scientific knowledge from that which has heretofore
been required If navy should be increased by the
addition of any considerable number OF steam vessels
engineers will form important class oil naval ohcers
1t will be necessary TO assign to them an appropriate
rank and 10 subject them to all the laws of the service
Great care should be used in the selection of them, be-
cause great deal will depend on their skill and COM
potency; hence it is necessary that they should pass
through prescribed ofinstrucon, and that the
Government should have the proof of their comPeten
cy which an examinations conducted under their own
rules, would afford This important object can be best
, attained by the establishment of naval schools, pro-
vided with all necessary means OF uniting pracuce
with theory. The advantages which the Army has oe-
rived from The academy at West Point afford SUM
cent proof that similar institution for the Navy wouio
produce like results
In connection with this subject, would ask your at
tenon the situation of the professor OF
now employed in the service This useiu class OF
men have permanent connexion with the Navy
but called only os their services are neeoeo ana
are paid except when on actual duty. Inc conse.
ouence u.s. that they cannot rely on this employment
for support and are often reluctantly driven to other
and aainments qualify them to be teachers IN the ma
Wy, are equally qualified 10 be teachers on iand and
as this latter is the less precarous position the best
qualified will be the most apt to seek It, Hence, The
Department cannot rely with any assurance on being
able command suitable professors at all times when
their services may be required. 1t is, think OF great
importance that some provision should be made upon
this subject. also recommend that certain rank or
position be given 10 the professors, which will relieve
them from the necessity Of messing and sleeping with
their pupils. This close and constant association is
we'll calculated to weaken the respect and influence
which their relation TO the young officers ought to in
spire, and which is absolutely necessary to give due
effect to their instructions. doubt whether their scr
A vices upon the present system worth the money
which they cost although they would be highly valua-
BILE under proper regulations.
Ii will be perceived that the estimates for the ensuing
year are much larger than they have heretofore been
II is confidently believed, however, that nothing has
been asked for which is not necessary and that nothing
which is deemed necessary has been over-estimated.
i Having recommended large increase in most OF our
souadrons it followed, of course, that should ask the
reouisi,e appropriations to support them. Presumng
that Government does not build ships without design
ing to use hcm it would appear to be the obvious duty
of this Department to keep as many OF them IN con-
slant service as be proftably employed. This is,
indeed. the true economy. Some of our finest ships
have decayed to serious extent while yet upon the
stocks, and still have, after being launched,
required extensive repairs before they have been
sent to sea This is the necessary consequence Of
keeping them in docks. Ships in actual service
are generally clean, tight, dry and properly ventilated.
careful guard is kept over them, that slight de-
Gays are Immediately detected, and repaired without
any considerable expense. has frequently happened
that our vessels have been found after their return
from long cruises in better order for service than when
thew left the docks On the other hand, when they are
kept port without crews, they decay rapidly for want
of the and attention necessary TO preserve them
may we'll be doubted whether the aggregate of losses
sustained and repairs rendered necessary, by the non
use of vessels, has fallen very short of what 1t
would have cost 10 keep them in commission.
But this is the least part of the evil While our ves
sells are unemployed, our officers are de. They thus
lose the opportunity of acquiring due knowledge of
their profession, and naturally fall into those injurious
habits which idlcness always engenders 1t would not
be surprising they should forget, in some degree,
their respect for the flag which they are SO rarely per-
mtted to hoist and ose in Incidence and desponden
cy the lofty spirit and generous aspirations TO which
the Navy owes its past renown. am happy to assure
you that lis present personnel does not deserve tins
neglect At no previous time has it been able to boast
of SO many able officers of the higher grades, or of so
many young officers OF hne spirit good attainment ana
fair promise. Nothing is required but TO brush Oft the
rust ofideness by giving them employment and TO hold
Il out 10 them The encouragement of reasonable hope
that life devoted TO the country; in the orduous SER
vice of the sea, may clam, at eas The reward oil that
country s notice and respect.
Other reasons for The present increased estimates will
be found in the report of the Navy Commissioners,
which herewith present. Their statement IS so mi
mute and specific, and at the same time 50 condensed
that il conveys all necdfu information this point,
as few words as could use for the same purpose.
content myself therefore, with simple reference TO
that document remarking, at the same time, that It
meets my entire approval
Il will be perceived tina. very small appropriation
is asked for continuing the necessary work at the navy
vard of Pensacola The great importance OF that yard
is fully appreciated and every effort will be made to
complete il in short time as possible IL IS beev-
ed however, that the appropriation now asked, Is as
|, -, la duriu ha y
wear | shall not hesitate TO ask an additional appro-
priaton should it hereafter appear 10 be necessary.
invite your attention in especial manner TO the
navy ward at Brooklyn. Should the Government pro-
coed with the construction of the dry dock at that place,
is believed 10 be absolutely necessary to enlarge the
ward to very considerable extent. There is not at
present n sufficient water front for the accommodation
of half the number Of vessels which will probably be
assembled there at one time; nor IS there wthln Inc
ward space enough for conducting advantageousy the
necessary mechanical operations of such an establish
ment Ii is also worthy of consideration that the safe.
~ Of the yard much endangered by the adjoining pr.
vae buildings, Of which is urpentIne dstlIery,
and nearly all Of which built OF wood In case OF
fire on that side ofthe yard would be extremely diff
fcult TO the property respectfully suggest that
an establishment of such magnitude and vnlue should
be bounded on all sides either by water or BY public
street SO as to afford the greatest possible security
AGAINST danger from fire. The present is very favor
able time for the purchase of the additional ground
cessary the attainment OF this object recommend
this subject 10 your consideration before any large al
:, ditionai expenditure shall be made for permanent i'm
proyements under the present arrangement
: A SUIT has been commenced by an individual for the
recovery of eight ten acres Of land attached TO the
navy hospital at Norfolk. So much of that land as is
unclaimed by individuals, has now growing upon it
grove of lourishng trees, which would, if properly
protected afford great comfort and refreshmen 10 the
nvads, while it would add much to the beauty Of the
grounds At present, however, 1t IS not enclosed and
consequently is subject depredaons which there
no means Of preventing The deprcdations will in
. short time destroy the whole growth. very small
expenditure would protect it, and would be very benc
d hcially applied TO that object
You will perceive that the Commissioners ask for ad
ditional Clerks Fully convinced that these alto
geher necessary, should strenuously urge the subject
Upon your attention, but for the hope that the wants of
the entire Department in that respect will be provided
for in the re organization of it, which have herein 50
1 earnestly recommended