The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-14

| ene ioun upon The system, and hold up the fac
as an example in illustration of the defects o
the present organization. We have seen in
former number, how officers, acting under a de
iecuve system, preserved the line in feet en-
gagements, did their duty, and brought defea
and disgrace upon the arms Of England. Liz
causes produce like effects. Assuredly as wa
comes upon us with the Navy in its present con
dition as assuredy will there be disasters at sea
ana, IN general confusion and CONSERVATION
oihcers may expect to see the tragedy of Byn.
re-enacted on the quarterback Of some Ameri
can snip. a few months ago. an English sloop
oi-war, called the Rover, Zone of Symmonds
SHIPS challenged the whole Of this fpe-kno
squadron &c race. The one that was III,
least dull among them took up the gauntle
and was dlsanced with ease.
For the sake of further illustrating the practi
cal effects Of system, under which il can Sc
happen mat nest of tubs can be turned ou
upon the Navy, and sent TO sea as men -of-war
let US suppose that the question Of the North
Eastern Boundary Line had been settled by Q
resort 10 AIMS. This fve-knot squadron would
have been employed in the Gulf of Mexico
where II now is, to give convoy and protection
10 the commerce there. Suppose il to have under
convoy, from Mexico, Texas, New Orleans
Mobile and Pensacola, large fleet of merchant
men, freighted with the rich products of the
Mississippi valley, Of the mines of Mexico and
OF the West-lndia Islands. The ocean is whiten-
ed for leagues with the sails of this heet--the
breezes are fresh and fair, and the Rover falls in
with It, With crowds Of canvass spead to the
wind, the American squadron are sweating
along under as much as they can drag at the
rate OF five knots an hour The Rover is cut
ting about them at the rate of ten OF twelve
knots; and, IN spite of the best exertons Of off.
GERS and men, burns or DESTROYS the whole fleet
OF merchantmen A series of disasters such as
this would not fail deeply to wound American
PRIDE; and, under such calamites oft-repeated
we might expect to hear the many -tongued and
merclless voice OF popular clamor, crying aloud
Tor the blood OF some unfortunate officer more
innocent and guitless than they who cry: fol
the people now, while il is time, may correct the
evi and prevent disaster, by placing the Navy
upon proper footing.
In no period OF equal duration have as many
improvements been made in Naval architecture
as there have been within the last forty years
But on this side Of the Atlantic these improve
ments have been mainly confined to the CONNER
cal marine. As our merchant ships have adj
vanced IN elegance of model, combining the
quantities OF strength, capacity, and iieetness in
admirable proportions, so have our men-ot-war
receded The vessels of this fve-knot squadron
are all new ships. 1t is well known that the
vessels built by Humphreys and Eckford-before
Inc present system came into existence, or had
fairly fastened itself on the Navy-are to this
day the favorite and the fastest ships in the
Navy; and some of them were built more thar
forty years ago. The cause of this is fairly at
lrlbutable to the system adopted in the Navy
The Constructor is subordinate to the Navy.
Board, and the Commissioners may approve
alter or reject the model which he is required to
submit to their inspection.
1t is well known that the Commissioners had
their own way in the building of the Columbus
seventy four; for they undertook to make hel
the model-ship* OF her class for the Navy. They
failed and produced ship--the masts and hull
OF which alone, cost $426,934 ii Ia! Ii is said
that Eckford insisted on having his way too in
the building of one ship. He produced the
Ohio, eighty. She is to this day the crdck-shiI
OF her class in the Navy and though much
larger than, did not cost as much as the Com
mssloners' ship by $132,SSS IA!
ship-building and ship-sailing are entirely
distinct and separate professions. A knowledge
of the one no more implies knowledge Of the
other than grave-diggng implies knowledge
Of medicine. Naval Architecture forms no part
of the education of our Navy officers and when
the constructor exhibits the model Of ship to
the Navy-Board, the Commissioner, like the
dealer in pictures, may or may not be a connois
seur in the art He may tell BY the eye whether
the piece before him be in comey proportions
whether there be too many hollow lines, too
many curves, or proper whether
too much breadth here, or depth there But let
the picture-dealer or the Commissioner touch a
line, or attempt to alter the piece before him.
and the whole will be blotched and spoiled
When the models Of the Constitution, the Uni
ted States, and the Ohio, were drafted, there
was no Navy Board with its Commissioners to
supervise-to cut off little hereto add a little
there-and TO take away or my stify responsibility.
Every body knows who built the Ohio; but who
can tell the father of the Fulton, or Of any other
of our new and dull ships? Eckford and the
elder Humphreys were each wholly and entirely
responsible for the success or failure of his own
model
Dull ships are not the only evil results expe-
rienced in the Navy from building on bad mo-
dels. II is an opinion often expressed among
old seamen, that the, character of officers de-
ponds in great measure upon the ship in which
they sail Such they saw is the influence which
the character of the ship exerts upon the youth
who serve in her, that dull sailer seldom turns
out active and energetic officers A fast ship on
a beautiful model is the pride Of sailors heart
she bends gracefully to the breeze; and, bound
ing over the deep, bears him safely and swiftly
along; she rides out the gale like duck on the
water-and in the storm she behaves like thing
of life, dashing the foam from her bows and
leaping over the waves; or stopping to buffet
some threatening billow, she rises trembling
from the shock, as though she were conscious Of
her danger. On board such ship, duty is
pleasure, and is always performed with alacrity.
Active herself and quick in her movements,
those on board are required TO exert themselves
in corresponding degree, and thence are formed
brisk and active habits in the performance of du-
ty. Their affection and pride endow her with
qualities that call forth the most unremtting
care and attention on the part Of the officers,
who seek TO add to her efficiency and TO improve
her appearance by giving her an air Of more per-
feet order and neatness. Thus spirit of ener-
gy is kept alive, and habits Of diligence too are
formed that are greatly 10 he desired She is n