Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-12-08
OUR NAVAL POWER.
BY MAJOR NOAH.

Ihe London Times says that, consider
ing the vigilance with which the Ameri-
cans have maintained the general effective
ness of their navy, it seems singular that
they should have taken no particular pains
to augment it, although remarkably atten-
tive to armaments and dock yards. There
never has been, at any period, desire on
the part OF our people 10 increase the navy
to any extent beyond what was necessary to
protect the interests OF commerce in various
parts of the world. What have the 646
ships of war achieved for England A
heavy national debt, the title of "mistress
of the SEAS" and never-failing desire for
war and glory. But we have a substitute
worth more, and in fact more potent, than
all the navy of England, and that is our
private armed marine. In the event of
war, more than 500 swift sailing privateers
will scour tine ocean in every direction.-
Every large steamship, and every packet of
100 tons will have an armament. There
will be no navy in the world equal to it !;
but as such an armament could grow out Of
the contingency of war, there is no neces-
sity to expend dollar in anticipation of
such an issue.
We are probably the most remarkable
people on earth for promptness and prep
aration for war after it exists. A valuable
corps of 100000 men, armed, equipped,
and disciplined, can be ready for the field
in thirty days after war is declared, and so
it may be said of ships of war. We will
state one fact illustrative of this position.-
During the war with England, and while
stationed on the Barbary coast, we were
surprised one day, while exploring the ruins
Of Carthage, to see sharp chpper-built
schooner under full sail, with the American
flag floating TO brisk breeze, doubling
Cape Bon and making direct for the bay.
We rode down to the fortress of Goletta,
ordered launch to be made ready, and
found ourselves alongside the schooner Just
as she had cast anchor.
"Where are you from sir,"
"From Boston," replied the captain, a
smart dashing looking young fellow.
"Tn what passage %
"Twenty-three days, Sir"
We began to have our misgivings.-
Twenty-three days from Bostona We sus
pected she had been fitted out at Marseille
to cruise in the Mediterranean. II was tn,
Abeleno, Capt. Wyer, of SIX guns and sew
enty-five men-a magnificent little craft
We went down into the trunk cabin.
Snow, sir" said the captain, "Pll con
vince you that we are from Boston, ant
will show you Boston notions of ever.
kind, from pumpkins and smoked herring
down to wooden nutmegs" He soon fille'
the table with all the good cheer and soli'
comforts with which the Bostonians know
so we'll how to furnish a ship. ssAnd here,
said he, sis the Boston Centinel, Major Rus
SELLS paper" All doubts were now at al
end and while we had been partakmg O
fare to which We had long been accustom
ed-homely fare, but more welcome o.
: that accountable captain said:
"If you are surprised at our short pas
sage so far up the Mediterranean, wha
will you say when / tell you it is just sixt
days since the keel of this vessel was lai
In Boston; yet here we are" We coul
scarcely credit it. rv~7~
"Nay, that's not all, sir" continued Car
tain Wyer. "On my way here, off Gag
liari, captured two large British ships Gil
ed with valuable cargoes, and ordered theu
for this port. They will be here to-mol
: : row morning." Ira sl.rI r. II, .
"What! in neutral port, in which III
British exercise unlimited iniluences The
will never permit us to sell the cazgoes