The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-14

merely All ornamental character. we dld not
want ships to be floating palaces but we built them
to be engines of war, 70 maintain the honor of this
GsvsrnuAAnt amid tho EanstdDm of battle. In exe-
rutiep al this idea Of thss Vapsaat Secretary If the
Navy, on the vessels now building under his com
nand all this expensive and merely Ornamental work
was discarded. '-est., 'T a''' - - ~ '-'t lu
Then came the economy to be accomplished In the
equipment of the vessels That was to be effected
by the same means, and this other yet more impor-
ant that, instead Of making patch work. instead Of
having unity of model of having frigates of every
rate of guns and tonnage the rule was to be adopted
that all the vessels of class should be- built OF one
model. In this manner vast economy might be eff
fected and then when one was wrecked or became
unfit for service, her spars &c., instead of lying
less in the navy yards for time, and then being sold
for old lumber could be used in re6ttng others. The
plan intended to be pursued was that the whole sys-
tenn should be uniform, and it of the most
important reforms that could be made, begun as it
was under the direction of the present Secretary Of
the Navy, tfF. e.l.. lib.u
most valuable reform could also be accomplished
in the provisions and ordinary expenses of sailing
Among those suggested he would detain the commit
tee by referring to but two points. In regard
to the pursers department. the pursers BILL if passed.
would be productive of much benefit. BY it they
took from the mind of the purser all mercenary mo-
tives Instead of having slops provided that could
not be used, let them fit out their slops for the eli
mate to which the vessel was going, and thus they
would introduce economy. Reform might also be
made with reference to the purchase of stores.
Mr.. C. said he would illustrate the operation of
the administrative reforms introduced under direction
of the present Secretary Of the Navy by the exhibit
ton of facts on one point of expenditure that of the
construction of vessels which facts were the most
conclusive and convincing of all possible arguments
on the subject. ftt ta
The brig Somers having been fully equipped, was
turned over to the command of Commander Mcken
ze on the l4th of May instant, and her crew to
be put on board so soon as her officers report This
vessel has Just been constructed at the Brooklyn navy
yard and her construction affords the only Opportu
nifty of showing, by minute and unquestionable calcu
aton, the relative cost Of labor expended upon her.
and the saving produced by the changes in the
operations of the Brooklyn navy yard. The state
ments produced are derived from Capt Perry they
are verified by the clerk of the yard 1t appears that
the labor expended the brig Somers, Of 26I 1895
TONS is $751; days of labor, amounting in wages to
Sl2,l 99 The labor expended on the brigantne Dol
phin, the next previously built small vessel in the
yard, of 222 1895 tons, was l0,359 days of labor,
amounting in wages to $l8,462. Difference of cost
of labor in favor of Somers, $6,262. Difference in
days of labor in favor Of Somers, 3,7O7z days Cost
of labor Dolphin per ton, S02 SO. Cost Of labor
on Somers per ton, $46 II. Saving in labor of
Somers per ton, $50 IL.
The Somers is ull-rigged brig, and is more fully
equipped in the way Of spars, boats, sails &C. 1t
to be borne in mind that the scale of wages of me-
chanics is in the aggregate, about the of the
Vi inc DOlpuHl, anu Dut lew VI utcLdulCS
have since been changed; apart from which, the num-
Der of days labor expended the respective vessels
is the true criterion.
In regard to the cost of materials, there will not be
less proportional difference for the that they
all, with very tring exceptions, contracted for
or purchased before the Somers commenced;
such, for instance, as the oak frame, the lumber,
copper, iron, canvass, &c. The rigging, cables,
chors, &c. were received from other yards. Hence
the only item of expense that could illustrate the
system has been the cost of labor Henceforward
the saving in cost of materials will be evident in the
returns, inasmuch as many of them will have been
purchased at the market prices and still larger pro-
portion will be supplied under contract.
In order that there might be no misunderstanding as
to the completeness of the equipment and construc-
ton of the Somers at such reduced cost Mr. c. pro-
duced copy ofthe report of Capt Cooper and Lieus.
Carter and Handy, who were ordered by Captain Per-
ry examine the Somers with great on the day
of her transfer to Commander Mckenzie
Mr. c. also produced the following detailed state
ments Of the Clerk of the yard