Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-03

l \ i 1
FROM THE NEW YORK COURIER AMI EyQu1RER.
/ We published several days ago a detailed and
authentic list OF the war steamers OF England which,
IN contrast with our lack of such an armament was
fitted to attract attention.
/ we now annex another notice Of the progress
made by other European nations in adopting this
new element of naval warfare. Itappears that even
the humblest of the Mediterranean Powcrs-decay-
ed Venice, and Sardinia with its single seaport-go
ahead, in war steamers, OF the nation from which
proceeded the first successful application of steam
to purposes of navigation; and which counts itself
third and almost second among the maritime Powers
| of the world
1t is no reproach perhaps it is no disadvantage to
the United States that they have not kept pace with
the Governments Of the Old World in building and
equippng vessels Of this knd-for as vet the whole
matter is more or less experimental, and, with one
"ixed fact, that steam may be advantageously en-
poyed to propel vessels of war; there is the greatest
uncertainty to the mode in which this agent can
| be best employed
1t would therefore have been idle for us, while
others were making experiments on large scale, by
the result of which we could profit to go to the
expense of building fleets Of steamers which later
Improvements might render useless or measurably
inferior but we were bound, and to that we meant
to come, to have at least show of steam force ca
pable Of protecting our own harbors and coast from
insult. 1t is reproach to Congress and the Ex-
ecutlve that we without such means of defence;
and that even the very inadequate force of this sort
which we have is not ready for service Our finest
steamship, really efficient vessel, the Mississippi
is in dock we believe in Boson-at any rate she is
not in commission ready for service; and vet
war is talked Of on all hands---a war of which.
come when it may and from whatever quarter, the
event is to be decided by steam engines and Paix-
han guns.
Our voice. all know, is NOT for war; but il is
always, as it always has been, for such an amount
and disposition OF our naval forces, as in any and
every contingency would place us in a condition to
, vindcate rights.
Here is the communication that has suggested
this long preface:
ron THE COURIER ENQUIRER. :.
lHE STEAM NAVY OF GREAT BRIrAS.-The force Of the
steam Navy of Great Britain stated in your journal some
days since, great that we who have literally none At all
TO oppose IT should consider well situation before rushing
neaoions INTO war The writer has had opportunity of
visiting many English steamers of and Of being at sea in
some OF them of those the larger class are fitted with
roopdeck which always complete order to receive ESQ
to 800 soldiers to be transported to any given point Such
steamers as the Geyse, Vrago and Devastation of about
iioo tons are lifted in this way With twelve or fifteen
steamers oil this description always station as the Me5
eanean Tor instance large military force can be
to any point in very short space of time The steame
moreover are always hand aid sailing ships to tow them
INTO position, &c The of the class above named
carry but few guns but all of large cabe two or three Of
them ON pvots and all throwing round shot or shells The
new eam 'nsae such as the Acenger, Retri5ution and
ierrt6 are Of much greater force in and p
This increase of docs not apply alone to Eng
land The Navy Of France is very powerful and ~;
proving IN all respect, every moment But we must no, look
alone to these great Powers other nations that we have
usually looked upon with the greatest unconce as naval
ponen are fast going ahead Of stea and should we
DO saucy IN their waters might find them ugly customers
only few years since that there was some delay on
the part of Naples in paying instanent as Der
on its debt due counya slight disposition TO rDute
Our Commander the Mediterranean station was ordered 10
repair immediately to the port of Naples with all his force
consisting OF line OF battle ship fgates and three
iour smaller vessels to demand payment, and in case this
was refused 70 threaten force TO compel payment The gallant
Commodore did duty promptly and in handsome STYLE and
inc money was paid If our gallant Commander now on that
station were ordered to do the thing with the force he
mas or even with double treble the force we are inclined
10 think he might be told least be civil The King Of
aPes mas already seventeen large war in conn
mission or nearly ready for sea- well armed well manned
anu wen appointed every respect Austria is becoming
power not 70 DC despsed Tor her steam navy, by all
EVENTS she has already ten large and powerful seameso
war IN commission nearly ready sea- and more building
Even poor neglected Venice could show in September Is43
greater steam force IN her dockya where lie the bones OF
bucESTAuH than all the great biz Dragging
United States Of America The kingdom of Sardinia with
her one little port of Genoa beats us very considerably in eff
cient steam navy is in vain say that this force in the
hands OF these people, nothing very important and
VIII render us poweress in the Mediterranean in case Of any
emergency unless have force Of like character to
oppose to it. There plenty sklful engineers navsa
or &c to be obtained from all quarters and they are eu
'oyed IN any number board these in the Meiter
anean All these small Powers find that steam force is the
most effective and available force they have II is true
We need not trouble ourselves much about steam force as long
: II Is confined to the Mediterranean but we arc DETER
mined upon bullying all the world may as well see that
We have some protection against home At present the
British Government have only place OF two large steam
rs of each Of harbos and they can take eyery vessel that
nters as we have nothing oppose to them These vessels
oud receive constant supplies Of Goals from Nova Scotia and
so rom bermuda, the Bahamas and Cuba where they have
arge depos Steam is power on the ocean the inn
'ortance OF which Government notwithstanding liz bel
cose propenstes, seems not yet have sufficiently
considered