The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-31
From the Norfolk Beacon.
COMPARATIVE NAVAL FORCE OF ENC
LAND, FRANCE, AND AMERICA.


England has foreign tonnage of 3,347, 400 q Ss5
merchant vessels 1912 seamen, and 100 vesels oil
war of all descriptions.
France has foreign tonnage under mlllioh hei
number of merchant vessels and seamen not eNactiy
known by us and her vessels OF war OF all descriP
tons number $50.
The United States have foreign tonnage oil
1000, 600; l6 Goo merchant vessels; lOo,oOO sea-
men; and sirtJ-eigh vessels oil war, exclusive Vi
those now being constructed
The commerce of the United States, according 10
the above statement of the commercial and military
marine of England and France, has by no means
protection proportionate TO its extent as compared win
that of those nations. We have only three steam
ers while England can at the shortest nouce, COM
mand at least ninety. OF eleven ships OF the line,
only one is in commission and out Of seventeen
frgates we believe about five only are in commission
Our Navy is not only deficient in numerous and well
appointed vessels whether steamers, trigates sloops
brgs, but is not provided with sufficient number
of depots, well stored arseDals, and improved dock
yards.
Such is the abundant supply at the dock yards OF
England and France, of materials, ordnance, and
stores Of all descriptions that outfits prepared to
board at the shortest notices. and vessels can De NJ
ted out from their own resources we, on the other
hand not only have not sufficient SYSTEM but are sad
died with wasteful and inefficient one, even the
smallest vessels not being fitted out with despatch at
any of our naval stations but lying IN our harbors
for month after month"; at heavy expense to the
nation
The duty of sef-defence is primary one, and
none more imperative on the Government than that
of guarding coast against the sudden approach
of fleet Of hostile steamers with which Great Bri-
tain, in the event of war, would attemptto enter
our harbors seize and destroy merchant vessels,
burn and plumber cities, and attempt to invade
country.
BY the contract whereby the mails to the West In
dies are to be carried by steam navigation the com
pany agree to provide sufficient number (not less
than fourteen) of good, substantial, and efficient
steam vessels, of such construction and strength as to
be fit and able to carry guns of the largest cabre
now used board her Majestys steam vessels OF
war, each of such vessels to be always supplied with
frstrae appropriate steam engines, OF not less than
four hundred collective horse power, and also sui-
Gent number not less than FOUR of good substantial
and efficient sailing vessels, of not less than hun
dred tons burden each all such steam and sailing
vessels always to be supplied and furnished with all
necessary and proper apparel furniture stores, tackle
boats, fuel oil, talow, provisions anchors, cables,
fire pumps and other proper of extinguishing
fire, and whatever else may be requisite and necessa-
ry for equpping such vessels, and rendering them
constantly efficient for the service hereby contracted
to be performed and also manned with competent
officers, and sufficient crew of able seamen, and
other men and all the said steam vessels to be like
wise manned, and supplied with competent and eff
cient engineers, machinery, and engines; and to be
in all respects to vessels, engines, equipments
gineers officers, and crew, subject to the approval
Of the said commissioners, and of such persons as
shall at any time, and from time to time, have autho-
rty under the said commissioners, to inspect and
anime the same."- Return to an order of the homo
rable the House of Commons, dated 22d May, 1870
These mail and packet steamships, in the event of
a war, would be Immediately engaged in the service
of the Government, armed with a new or formidable
description of force.
The subject of coast and harbor defences an i'm
portan one this time and will doubtless shortly
ture In addition to the protection of the Atlantic
coast and of the country bordering the Lakes the
defences of the Gulf of Mexico of the very highest
importance. The narrow pass between Cuba and the
Florida shores constitutes the outlet to the vast pro-
ductons Of the Mississippi Valley and in the event
of war with England, the West India mail steamers
would be Immediately converted into steamers,
which, if guard is provided for the entrance to the
Mississippi would first assail the country bordering
on the Gulf of Mexico and also blockade the outlet
of the great West.
nv last called the attention of Congress and of the
country to this subject while suggesting system of
thorough coast defence, and recommended the esab-
shment of depot the Mississippi river, at point
sufficiently remote from the to prevent successful
aggression on the part of enemy, where iron war
steamers suited to the navigation of the Gulf and neigh
boring waters may be constructed.
1t is stated that the Navy Department is also look
ing with vgilant eye to American interests in other
quarters having directed the fitting out Of the frgate
Congress, Captain Voorhees, and the Columbus, Cap
tain Spencer, to proceed to the Mediterranean sta
ton as also the frigate Constitution, Captain Shu-
brick to be added to the squadron on the coast OF
Brazil.