New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-06-20
Oc FAN STEAM ERS.
Mr. THOMAS BUTLER KING. from the Committee
on Naval Affairs, made the following
REPORT


Mr.. THOMAS BUTLER KING. from the Committee
on Naval Affairs made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Naval Affairs. 10 whom were
referred several proposals for the establishment. OF
lines of ocean steamers, coastwise and foreign, for
the transportation OF the mail and tor naval service
in case OF wsr. in pursuance OF the law OF MaTcn
3d. 1915, have had the under consideration, and
submit the following report
II is now only about seven years since the pas
sage OF the steamers Sirius and Great Western,
across the Atlantic, poriended mighty revolution
in commercial and naval affairs. The most sangulne
expectations of The triumph Of ocean steam navga-
ton, and its momen;ous consequences, have been
more than fulfilled. Already, the most rapid means
OF communication between the old world and the
new is accomplished by means OF steamships. The
countries bordering on the Mediterranean and the
remotest East are connected with Western Europe
and America by these agents. Between Great Brit
sin and North America alone there are now plying
some twenty steamers which deserve 10 be regard
ed as among the greatest ,riumphs OF modern ge-
MUS, and which, moving with rapidly and regu-
larity never thought OF before have overturned the
most settled theories on ocean navigation and intro
duced new element in the regulation OF human al
fairs. Time and space seem TO be overcome. and
the winds and tides IN measure disregarded. In
naval operations revolution may De considered as
already accomplished. Great Britain, within these
seven years has large appropriations the
mentaton of her and has ~ ths time more
200 Of them unprecedented for
the power OF their engines the caoer Of their guns and
/ the magnitude OF their dimensions.
The latest intelligence OF French legislation admon-
ishes US that France has adopted similar policy and is
augment the number Of her war steamers to bU
From these facts IL appears that the British and French
Governments regard extensive steam marine as essen
a their naval power and the experience OF both Gov
erEments has, doubtless, led TO this conclusion.
In the few years that have elapsed since the employ
ment OF in naval warfare its achievements have
been brilliant and decisive and so generally known
Is TO require illustration.
But, while England and France have been rapidly avail
ing themselves Of the agency OF sesm in .heir naval es-
adjustments the United States have been almost inactive
OF the "a vessels all composing navy, only
nine OF these but i've armed. and yet
this country first taught navigation 10 the world,
and had since It's invention larger commercial steam
marine than all nations besides The latest accounts
the British commercial steam marine make their Num-
Der vessels about 600 number than that
Mississippi alone According TO the
port Secretary OF the Treasury on commerce and navi-
CATION total tonnage last year 52T tons,
distributed In than $40 steamers Nor Is IL IN the
number only that Surps,s all oher nations In speed
ard efficiency we equally superior. The Engineers
Magazine for January last "a British periodically says
The ersge speed OF best coastng steamers may be
taken 2i TO - miles hour as in the case OF the ne"
iron Clyde built boats the West Coast and the fast
iron steamers running rum Fokstone and D5ver 10 Boz
logne, Calais Ostend The Queen OF the fastest
OF her class the Thames has ascertaned maximum
speed OF l5t miles per hour"
sssppi have average speed Of about Il miles an hour
and those the Hudsoa other waters al the North,
have attained even greater speed than this.
Such is the perfection which steam transportation has
been carried In this country that the rate OF freight on
the Mississippi does not exceed SIS per ton per
1000 miles and cabin passengers, including sumptuous
fare carried at the rate OF one ceh per ue-raios lar
those psid the Atlantic in steamers or sail
ing packets; and although thus preemnent over all the
nations world In commercial steamers, and possess
cd of nursery of more $4,000 nt for naval
in ha
II true Il not compatible with institutions OF
interests 10 maintain lsge and expensive naval es-
enlistment III time OF peace but 1t has become matter
OF the utmost Importance 10 devise some system WHICH,
with moderate and beneficial outlay will enable US ut all
times be prepared for the contingency OF war Thls 1t
is believed, may be accomplished by combining with the
system proposed by this Committee In former report on
of steam navy the plan now extensively
adopted by Great Britain ef uniting the clements OF
commercial marine with those OF naval steam force
The design Of this system S 10 render lne Iansnisson VI
mall passengers and freight subservent 10 the extern
sion OF her naval establishment. The successful opera
ton lines OF mail has shown that COM
merce may only IN this way be promoted and extend
ed but made contribute directly the means OF It's OWE
protection and defence
The United States is the second commercial nation 10
the world and is folly 10 suppose that with i'm
punity neglect those which have become necessary
in consequence tho policy pursued by cur great rv'
for the promotion encouragement OF our commerce
without the serious injuries resulting 10 TINS gteal
and important branch OF national wealth
While is extending itself to h quarters oil
the globe, and increasing In ratio almost II not qlie
equal 10 the increase population and requiring pro-
lection in every ocean, 1t would from the expensive
nature of naval establishment uncer the present ss
em that very extensive augmentation OF II can oe
hoped for expected According to the annual o
the Secretary the Navy the estimates Tor the support OF
the Navy for the year. war being then ahtcl-
pated Sc 100000. The number OF ocers sea-
men, marines andsnen aud boys employed In 'he
appears from the document to be 9O0o costing aoout
S656 ner man The nun ser of vessels in commission be-
Ing but 46 shows average cost OF Soo'o9o eac pc
anpum The British mail steamers, which are on an at
craze much larger and more efficient class OF vessels IMAM
those of our own Navy cost that Government deducting
the received for postage, less than sooUoO eacn
their annual maintenance Great Britain IS thus ena-
bed by combining commercial enterprise with her naval
armsments, keep aoat steam force more than equal
10 half Of our ships in commission and 10 maintain
twenty OF these powerful steamers in constant and acve
service at q Of million OF dollars annually by
the Cunard and West India lines OF mail steamers Great
Britain maintains rapid and certain communication Win
her colonies this side the Atlantic, the Cniteo STATES
Mexico, and her fleets In the Pacific Ocean, III e event
OF war; she could readily command ms orce anu cohce
trate il al any point upon Atlantic or Gull COAST,
and our vast commerce, valued at some Two nuhored
millions Of dollars would, without suitable prep
aration on part, fall Prey 10 her arms II IS
Notifying reflect that this force which may become SO
formidable against Is in great degree supported oy ihe
intercourse growing out of our own commercial enterprise
While commercial marine IS unrivhed ana our sais
whten every ocean, and steam marine al nome 5up-
ror TO that of all other nations, we have been e III inc
distance and been outmaneuYered by our great CONNER
cial rival, employment OF upon Ocea
Ifit asked why Great Britain has thus taken the leaa
Of us navigation while VIC are so greatly su-
peror In domestic steamers aud In sailing ships the an
swer U.s. that she anticipated through the extension
of her mail system foreign countries, in combination
with her naval arrangements thus rendering almost I'm
possible for private enterprise TO enter into conpe
| ton with her. 80
France Also has become alive to the importance OF this
great SYSTEM and her Minister OF Finance has been author
lied 10 treat with companies for the establishment OF lines
of steamers TO Brazil Havana, New-York La PIata La
Guayra ana such ports the Gulf OF Hexlco ana the An
TILES as may be designated by royal ordinance These lines
are 10 consist OF sailing ships with steam power, except
that 10 Sew-York which be exclusively steam so
that we are likely soon have forty foreign war
steamers In the character Of mail packets visiting our en-
tire coasts and subsisng principally on our trade AND
as yet there has sny been passed through THIS mouse
measure authorizing the establishment OF one hue CONSIST
ing Of four steamers from New York TO Bremen.
Il believed by your Committee that other lines may
be established with least equal not greater PROF.
ability OF success. The commercial intercourse between
New-York and Liverpool become more frequent and
extensive than between any other Two places so widely
seems 10 be warrant the belief they VIII atno
distan, day draw this great channel s larger
ton OF the commerce between Europe and America Inc
fac, that the British Government has recently taAs Inc
necessary steps 70 induce OF the Cunaro steam
ers 70 establish lire from Liverpool 70 New orA ID SUI
Gcent 10 show that they fully sensible OF THIS approach
ing state Of things and that they are resolved As ar as
practicable 10 ouopoze the intercourse between these