The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-23
WAR STEAMERS.
Mr.. THOMAS BUTLER KING, from The Committee on
Naval .ifairs, made the JOiiOioing report;

Mr.. THOMAS BUTLER KING, from the Committee o,
| Naval affairs, made the Joiioioing report;
The extensive employment Of steam in nava
ornaments by the great maritime powers of Eu
rope--the peculiar and decided advantage 1t will
give TO all those who do employ Il over those who
| do not--our extensive and exposed coast on the
Atlantic, the lakes and gulf Of Mexco--the perfect
protection which may be given to y an efficient
steam nayy-and the great facilities, tar exceeding
those of any other country, which we possess for
the construction and management oil tina powerful
description Of force, have doubtless induced the
| Executive TO recommend course oil policy which
our peculiar position and vast interests as one OF the
greatest commercial nations ofthe earth, seem so OBJ
yiously 10 demand. On the Introduction OF this new
element 10 ocean navigation, and its employment in
maritime war, il was 10 be expected that many
unsuccessful experiments would be made, and
much money expended, in giving 10 II tho greatest
attainable degree of efficiency. This 70 tribute
which is frequently paid TO the advancement OF SCI
eucs and the useful arts, in bringing Y yerfse,ion
new and important inventions. II, thsrd1ors, most
Of the war steamers which have been hthsrto con-
str,hted shall be found rather TO render manifest
defects than as presenting models worthy OF imita-
ton we should be wanting In common prudence,
IL not in common sense, If we were 10 discard these
lessons Of the past, or fail TO draw from them that
wisdom which is so necessary to the successful dr.
rection Of our policy in future. IL is undoubtedly
true, however, that every nation must prepare Its
arniaments suit its position and existing necess-
ties, and that the Improvements which may be
adopted by any prominent maritime power Will i'm.
pose upon its neighbors, with whom II is POSSIBLE
conflicts may arise, the necessity Of initiating its
ample. Hence II has been seen that the great naval
powers of Europe have been forced, it were to keep
pace with each other, TO some extent in the con-
structon of war steamers, without waiting FOR those
improvements which are, ere long, PROFESSIONALLY
destined TO render that description Of force the most
powerful and destructive the world has ever known,
and which will render their present naval ornaments
comparatively Of little value, and compel them to
commence "ds n0pon in the construction Of their
fleets. This remark applies, however, more partic-
ulahy to contests which may arise between this
country and any Of those powers, because their POI
stion as respects each other s entirely different
from position with respect to them; consequent
ly, the construction OF our ships, and our mode Of
warfare, should be governed by some clearly deye-
oped system, which will enable US TO inhict the
greatest amount Of injury upon enemy with the
least damage TO ourselves. Ii has hitherto been
and doubtless will continue TO be, the policy Of Eu
ropean powers to concentrate their naval forces and
decide their contests the ocean, great battles Of
fleets and squadrons One ect therefore, in the con-
struction Of their steamers, to have them al
ways at hand to tow their sailing ships into position
The certainty and celebrity Of their movements rem
der them invaluable transports for the convey
ance Of troops and munitions Of war; and absolute
necessary 10 cope WIN an invading force oil SIM
liar description. England and France have exten-
slVs colonial possessions which require the same
preparations for defence, and afford the faci-
for the subsistence and protection of their fleets
found in their ports at home. In these colo
nes they have strongly fortified harbors, extensive
depots Of cod, provisions, and munitions Of war to
which their Heels can resort to escape from the pur-
suit of an enemy, or for supplies and repairs. The
United States have such places of resort, and
It IS important to keep this fact IN view IN forming
our system OF naval warfare, as far at least as
u may pe cohuucteu oy steam power. European
nations have adopted the system of employing
steam in sailing ships-ofwar as an auxiliary
power and our experiments thus Tar have been
made IN conformity with that idea Recently
however, the improvements ~ machinery have aaar
oiec them To employ engines o. mucn greater pow
er, IN proportion 10 he size OF Inc shp ana al ms
same time to place the boilers and machinery boz
low the water line, ana secure from an enemy
shot It should be matter OF just national pride
that our own government LED the way IN this great
steamers The Pnneeton-blli' under the suPerin'
tendence OF Captain Stockton, on'ted states navy
was .ne n1s' sup Ie' eoSe d WIN ner una.
Icnihe'y anu soa 90 " J' So
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