The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1842-01-15

Doubtless u very tdI2G PHAN W AtaSN = ~
to consist of steamships. Experience
has shown that these vessels may be so
constructed as 10 adapt them in other
respects 10 purposes OF war. OF their
great usefulness the world has had a
striking proof in the recent operations
OF the British squadron on the coast OF
Syria. Troops were transported dis
lance Of two thousand miles over the
ocean, and were engaged in battle in
Asia Minor on the sixteenth day after
leaving England. This and other facil-
ities afforded by this class of vessels
we're 50 great that the admiral declared
that ''his success was owing to the eff
cheney of his steamers" We may well
profit by the lesson thus taught US. |
respectfully suggest, however, that 1t
would not be wise IN us to engage very
extensively in the construction OF steam
ships of war OF the largest class at this
time Initiating the example of Eng
land, our wisest policy would be TO aid
the private enterprise Of our citizens in
constructing packet ships, 10 ply be-
tween this country and foreign ports
These should, of course, be SO construct
ed as to fit them for war purposes, and
should be held subject to the demand of
The Government, upon equitable condi-
tons. There will, in all probability, be
enough Of such vessels to answer all the
purposes for which steamships of the
largest class would be furnished at com
paratively small cost TO the Government.
improvements are daily made, not only
in steam machinery, but in the propell-
ing powerapplied to steam vessels. Ex
periments are now in progress which
promise important results in these re-
spects; and it would probably be Judi
cious not to expend large sums IN the
construction of steamships for distant
stations until tn Sc results shall be made
known. But the same reasoning does
not apply TO steam vessels of a smaller
class, destined for the defence of our
own coast and harbors. THIS ought not,
under any circumstances, to be delayed
hey would be particularly useful on the
Lakes and in the Gulf of Mexico
They should be built OF white oak, re
serving the live oak for those Of a differ
ent class.
steamships have been built in Eu-
rope altogether of iron. As far as the
experiment has been made, it is under
stood to have been successful re
commend that it be made here also;
with at least one vessel Of medium
size, sufficiently large to afford fair test
without exposing too much 10 the hazard
of a failure.
''ln my opinion, there is necessity at
present 10 increase the number of our
line Of battle ships. Some of those
which we now have would be more use
fui if cut Iown 10 frigateS of the largest
class. There is, even ia the present con
dition of the service, pressing demand
for sloops of-war, briggs, and schooners;
and | recommend that u suitable number
of them be Immediately budt. Not less
than ten are necessary, even ia the pre-
sent condition OF our navy. Oae of the n
should be kept in commission and ready
for service at each Of our principal ports;
and this may be done without any con
siderable additional expense, because
they will always be prepared to perform
variety Of duties for which The Co
vernment now pays high prices to mer-
chant vessels. Moreover, they may be
built of such timber as is rejected in the
construction Of larger vessels. 1t is
proper that we should have some Of our
vessels always ready for sudden emsr-
gencies, and none are so cheap or so con.
venient as briggs and schooners:
sin view of any considerable increase
Of the navy, large addition 20 our fri
gates of the first class ought to be made
Our present IA gun frigates would MOI
encounter, upon equal terms, the modern
lrigates Of the first class of England anC
France. TO enable us 10 contend sue
cessfully wiihthese. the principal mari
time Powers of Europe, we must no
only increase our general naval force il
proportion as they increase theirs, bu
we must also buildgessels of correspond
ing size and description with those which
they will use against us.n
lie recommends in the Strongest term
the establishment of higher grades 0
rank. l. is to be hoped that this sugges
, ton will not be longer neglected Cap
tain is now the highest grade, those hav
ing command of squadrons being onl,
f called commodore by courtesy.
He speaks in the highest terms of tn
J importance of marines in the naval ser
vice, and recommends their increase.
He recommends the establishment c
/ naval schools, and that some arrange
ment beniade for the permanent employ
r ment Of teachers Of mathematics in tn
navy.
lie urges theimportance of keeping
| LARGE O nnrfinn &c TIC r,..... - 1