The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-08

The ofces been lmproyed-wl not fail TO be confirmed
IN the navy: An accomplished naval ohcer must under
stand all the sciences connected with navigation; be
ought to be familiar with steam, the sean-engine and
mechanics, with gunnery, with chemistry with the Ian
guages OF all nations with whom hls duty brings him in
contact, and with the laws OF his country and of
nations.
The lad who leaves his parents at the age of fourteen
or heen years 10 enter the service mdshpman
not be expected to have laid the foundation, for
broad supershucture OF knowledge. The Naval
School promises to furnish the of attaining these
ends, so Important for the navy. II will produce,
trust the same happy fruits OF skill and knowledge
which the Military Academy has produced for the
army In ITS present condition. and for some time to
come, do not appehend that it will be necessary for
Congress TO regulate the details Of the school by law,
which could only be modified, if found inudcious, by
the tardy process of repeal amendment of the law
After larger practical experience, the department. aided
by the learned and ludcious professors duty the
school, and by the officers OF the navy who take deep
sent more complete system necessary appendage 10
the Institution is vessel of the navy, fitted school
OF practice IN gunnery and navigation earnestly rec
ommend that the appropriation for the next fiscal year. for
which estimate has been submitted may be made and
as no appropriation made for the general wants Of
The schoo tor the present year. recommend the proprie
ty OF making II at the approaching session OF Congress
There are now in one of the rooms OF the building
cupied by the Navy Department considerable number of
enemies in / recommend that authority may be
given by Congress to the Secretary of the Navy, under
the direction OF the President them to be placed
with suitable labels at the Naval School, IN the care OF
the superintendent.
Under the ACT Of the 18th of April 1914 these trophies
have not been displayed to the public The proposed dis
position OF them would have good moral effect in
citing the youthful bosoms OF the midshpmen who are
to be the future commanders of our ships of war,
uation OF the virtues and herosm of those OF whose
yalor and skill these trophies are the memorial.
As practicable after the proclamation of peace
with Mexico the seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen,
and boys in the naval service were reduced by discharges
below the number OF seven thousand five hundred
required by law.
By the Sd section of the act of August g. lsis the
Secretary OF the Navy was directed forthwith TO con
tract with Messrs. Dakn and Moody for the complete
construction of floating sectional dry dock, basin, and
railways at Philadelphia with "MesSrs Gilbert and Sc
cor for the complete construction of balance floating
dry dock, basin, and railway at Pensacola and with
the other of the said respective parties, "or the
piee construction at the hayward at kttery of floating
the Secretary of the Navy may prefer as best adapted
to the said yard"
Under the act of March 3, 1877 these parties had re-
specivey submitted to the Navy Department proposals
for building at each of the three yards named work,
according to each plan, with specifications, suitable for
docking line battle ship.
The act OF 1913 made these plans and specifications the
basis of the contracts directed to be made limited the
to ten per cent over and above the prices respectively
stated in their said proposals. and provided that the d.
proposed should not be found adequate TO dock
ing steamers Of the largest cass-at least three hun
dred and fifty feet in engh-"the Secretary of the Navy
shall also, by further contract with said parties, enlarge
the dimensions OF SAID works at each yard to capacity
sufficient for that purpose"
The plans and specifications were not adequate to that
object he parties were therefore required TO submit
plans and specifications adapted to the increased dmen
sions of the works required by law When presented,
caused their reference to two raval constructors
and engineer, and on their approval in obedience TO
the direction of the law the contracts executed
adopted for the navy yard at Kery the balance dock
with its appendages because that plan of dock had been
recommended by the board of commissioners in 1917.
1t less expensive, and promised be at least equally
useful.
The increase OF price consequent on the increase of
dimensions fairly calculated pro rata, and the
readily agreed to take the materials which had
been procured for the works under the act of 1917 at
their cost to the government The prices stipulated be
paid for the works complete,
AT Pensacola 500 1897
At Philadelphia 3d. 742
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