The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-05
Naval Intelligencc.
Torm HoroRABnx WILLIAM A. GRAHAM. sEcns


To THE HONORABLE WILLIAM A. GRAHAM. SEcnx-
TARY OF THE NAVY
Intelligence was brought by the last steamer
from Europe, that the Mediterranean squadron.
consisting of two frgates, the steamship Missssis.
pi, and one or two smaller vessels, had arrived.
about the 18th of September, at Genoa, where they
were to take up their winter quarters, and where
they would remain for more than six months, at no
small expense TO the country.
Genoa is within three weeks sail of that part Of
the Atlantic where there is q perpetual summer,
and which is covered by our commerce. There
are no laws, of which we are aware, by which our
force is compelled to remain in squadrons and the
suggestions made in Congress to divide the nava
forces of the country into large fleets, and to
keep them constantly moving when abroad, may,
we think, be carried out by the department, with
out positive law upon the subject.
The ships now in Genoa might, with adv antage,
think, be ordered to sail at intervals of three or
four weeks after each other; that one to sail first
which has been longest abroad;-To the Atlantic;
thence down the coast OF Africa, touching at
every possible port, in search of slavers, to the
Cape of Good Hope; there communicate with
our Consul, and ascertain the latest news of our
commerce IN Asia and India; from thence to sail
for the Rio de la Plata (Buenos Ayres and Monte
video) thence to Rio Janeiro, Bahia, Pernambuco,
and touching at Barbados, st. Thomas, st. Do
miDgo, and Cuba, and then home.
of that squadron, in six months-the time that is
usually spent in winter quarters, and she could
pair again, next summer, for her cruizing in the
Mediterranean.
The frigate st. Lawrence has passed the last
two summers in the Baltic, and then went to the
Mediterranean for winter quarters-a passage OF
twenty-five days-while thirty days would have
brought her to the United States, where che could
have re- fitted and spent her money among her own
citizens
have been particular in mentioning the ports,
as il is well known that our naval commanders
have great horror OF the land, and never go near
port or Consul, unless positively ordered; and
anchor
We were forcibly struck with the suggestions of
Mr.. Stanton; and the news brought by the last mail
from the Mediterranean, SO strongly confirms his
statements, that we desire to call your attention to
il. We feel justified in doing so, BY the liberality
and energy which has already characterized your
administration of the department, and which it
stood in such need of.
You will be told by the chiefs of the bureaus by
whom you are surrounded, that such changes are
impossible. They men who look upon the
Navy as belonging to themselves and their families,
and behind the spirit and progress Of the age.
The public have no confidence in them, and think
that their stations should be occupied by intelligent
and energetic civilians such at the head OF
the steamship lines to Europe and California.
Whatever you do, must b be done on your own
this you will be sustained by the government and
by the PUBLIC.
NAVAL RANK "A Naval Board is now in session,
in the city Of Washington, to regulate the rank
among the different class of officers. There are,
at this time, GO captains in the service, of whom III
at sea, and 50 commanders, with 20 at sea. IL
seamanshp is to be learned at sea, would il not be
well to give command of our ships and squadrons
to surgeons and pursers, who are more at sea than
those who now command; and some of our old
officers should be good nurses, they ouch old
women. We recommend the Board TO take this
subject into consideration.
The U. s. steamship Susquehanna, at Norfolk,
is rapidly approaching towards completion. She
has her armament on board, nine 81 Founders; her
rigging Is complete, and but for the delay in re-
ceving quantity ofcopper pipe from this city, the
magnificent engines, built by Messrs. Murray 81
Hazlehurst, of Baltimore, would now be ready to
receive steam In about three weeks, Mr.. Sides,
under whose superintendence the work is going on,
will b. prepared to apply the moving power.
The Independence frigate, bearir the flag OF
Com. Charles w. Morgan; the Mississippi steam
corvette, Capt. Long; Constitution frigate, Capt.
Conover, were on their way from Naples to Spez.
za, on the ID ut. The Cumberland, Capt Lati-
mer, was at Messina.