Indiana State sentinel., 1846-02-26
The u. 8. Navy.

uC Gs % Navy
In the speech of Senator Fairfield of Maine de-
livered in the IT, S. Senate on the 9th January, on
the bill proposing 10 augment the navy wend the fol-
lowing concise statement of the present naval force
of the country:
We have now at sea, in port ready for service,
ship OF the line six frgateS fifteen soOps-of- war;
six briggs schooners, four armed store-ships one
sea-steamer, and one steamer on lake Erie.
In ordinary, and which can be equipped in three
months, two ships-of-the-line one razee two rigaes
four soops, sea-steamcr coast-steamers, and
two briggs; and one shp-ofthe-linc for harbor SER
vice. In ordinary, and that can be equipped in sir
months, another shipof-e-line, frigate, and two
sOops. And IN t,celre months, two small frigates
could be raced to large corvette sloops
This would give an aggregate force five ships-of-
the-line one race, nine frgates two sea-steamers
tweny-three soops, eight briggs and schooners, two
harbor-steamers, and four armed siore-ships.
In addition to the foregoing, there are upon the
stocks at the different navy-yards, four ships-ofthe
line, three frigates and two soopS-ofswar one iron
steamer building at Pittsburgh, for harbor defence
contracted for at New York. and shp-of-the-
partially finished at Sacketts Harbor, on lake Onta-
rio.
OF these there could he completed in three months,
one frgate and one sloOp In Sir months. two frig-
ates, one soop, and the steamer at Pittsburgh. In
t,celpe months shrs-ofthe-lne In fifteen monlhs
two ships -theline. Which, added to the ag-
gregate number of those afoat and in ordinary would
give us a navy of nine shps-of-the-line one razee
twelve frigates three seasteamers, twenty-five sloops,
eight briggs and schooners, two harbor-seamers, and
four armed store-slips. We have also on hand, and
in good condition, complete live oak frames for twelve
ships-of-he-line twelve frigaes five sloops-ofwar,
and three smaller sailing vessels, two sea-steamers,
and one colst-stpamer. And incomplete live oak
frames for three ships-ofthelne, four frigaes three
soops, and two smaller sailing vessels, two sea and
two coast-steamers, and a white oak frame for a
coast-steamer Contracts it is understood, have been
made for completing the frames of the ships-ofthe
line and the frigates
The other materials on hand it may not be neces-
sary at this time to enumerate.
In view of these statements, it will be perceived
that the country is not quite destitute, lie would
not say of resources but of almost immediate
of defence, many have seemed to suppose 1t has
become fashionable of late, in certain quarters,
decry and undervaue our own means and resources,
and TO magnify those of England. Comparing the
condition of the two countries now with what they
were at the commencement Of the last war, and the
advantage will be perceived 10 be infinitely in our favor
At all events, can be perceived for yielding
any of our just rights to foreign power, or of sub
mitting to national indgnity and wrong because we
are incapable of protecting the one, of reSentng
the other. A just estimation Of cur means will not
be likely to impair Just appreciation of our rights.
Major Noah, of the New York Times and Messen-
IL
vate vessels belonging the ports of New York,
Philadelphia and Baltimore, which could be added to
the Navy in case Of war. He enumerates, says the
Louisville Democrat twentyfour first class packets
capable of mounting thlrty-six thirytwo pound guns
each, which will be in all respects equal to the old
class of figates. BESIDES these he finds ffty-nine
vessels suitable for sloops of war; carry twenty
four guns each and that Baltimore can send out twen-
ty gun briggs and fast sailing schooners. All these
could be fully equipped for in less than six months
and would, of themselves constitute a much more
formidable navy than we had during the last war;
This calculation may tend TO relieve the anxieies of
those persons who profess 10 he so much alarmed at
the disparity of our force with that of England But
it is Il very imperfect estimate, embracing only two
or three Atlantic ports. In case of war occurring
now, something would be heard of Western marine
force. In 1912 there were no boats on the Western
waters larger than broad-horns. Now there are more
than a thousand steamers. 1t IS true they arc not
adapted for war. but have the Ohio alone ship
yards capable of turning out from one hundred and
fifty TO two hundred steam vessels annually. At Lou
isve and New Albany only, upwards of forty were
built during the past year, measuring IL ,0C0 tons
The moment war was declared the energies of our
boat builders would be employed in fitting out vessels
suitable for steam privateers and they would very
soon send out fleet of them. If Great Britain can
beat us in national vessels would soon far out num-
Der her in privateers and these if they effected no
other important object would give full employment
to her whole navy, large as it is in protecting her
own forts and colonies from their depredations.