Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-12-12

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
The report of the Secretary of the Navy is
able and well written. After speaking of the
American squadron and its movements, the Sec.
RETRY says he has invited proposals for the con-
structon of a sectional or floating dock basin and
railway on the coast of the Pacific, and as sooI
as satisfactory terms shall be agreed upon, it is
the intention of the department to expedite the
work with all possible despatch.
It is estimated that independently of the pub
lie works. fixtures, machinery, &c. at the exist
ing Navy Yards, the stores on hand for the con-
struction, equipment and repairs of vessels, are
equal in value in round numbers to $ii,5OO,OOO ;
he believes that the number of supernumerary
officers of the Navy, especially in the three high
est grades, might be reduced, and recommends
60 Captains, 80 Commanders, and 300 Lieuten-
ants, with corresponding notifications in the in
ferior grades. ssr
He also earnestly recommends that the service
itself be elevated by recognizing by law the of
fee of Commodore, and by the creation of at
least two officers of the rank of Rear Admirals
He recommends to the attention of Congress, the
reforms introduced in the supply of provisions by
the efficient chief of that bureau and his sugges-
tons as to others, which can only be effected by
legislation likewise the statement made by the
chief of the Bureau of medicine and surgery, that
the number of effective medical officers in tine
service is insufficient for its wants. and his
concentration that those untitled for duty shall be
removed and their places supplied by new ap-
plcants.
He also concurs in his Recommendation that
the sum of 100000 be appropriated as part of
the Navy Hospital loss and to insure a regular
increase of the augmentation of the marine corps,
Us provided in, the report of its Chief deserves
likewise the early attention of Congress. BY
revision of the complement tables of ships OF war,
it is believed that the number of landsmen might
be reduced and that of the rank and file of the
marines increased so as to provide for the def
cheney now existing in this corps, without detri-
ment to the service or additional expense to the
Government
He says our Naval force in the Pacific should
be efficient and viii be maintained. He propos-
es, first to build ships and recruit sailors on the
Atlantic coast for the Pacific fleet; second,
when sufficient number of vessels shall be pa
ced on that side of the continent, to retain them
there for permanent use; and third, that when
crews are wanted to man them after the expIra-
ton of the term of those originally carried out,
to enlist them in the Atlantic ports and send them
out in Government transports on the ordinary line
of travel across the Isthmus of Panama, they
are now transported from one Atlantic port to
another, with dock for repairing vessels on the
California coast as contemplated by Congress.
Such a course of policy would enable us at all
times to keep an effective fleet in the Pacific,
and to operate a vast saving in time and money |
TO the service in that quarter. The remaining |
three steamers authorized to be built by an act |
Of Congress, of March Sd, IS47, will be rea-
dy in few months. The Saranac, the first one
built for sea, will be retained in the Home Squad
ron, as an effective cruiser in any emergency /
which may arise. 1t is contemplated to attach
he Susquehanna to the East India Squadron,
md to send the two remaining ones to the Pacific
md the coast of Brazil.
1t is contemplated also to require the COM
nandants of the squadrons in the Pacific and the +
East Indies, and IN like manner of those on the
coasts of Brazil and Africa, at certain convenient
lines and places, to meet with the greater part of
heir respective commands for the purpose Of
in fleets.
The Naval Academy at Annapolis under an en-
arged corps of officers affords facilities and
means of professional education not heretofore
njoyed by the young gentlemen entering the
fish the Navy with what has been so long bene-
ically enjoyed by the army in the Military Aca- !
emy at West Point I
With regard to flogging. he suggests that a
of congress take the testimony on
'ath of respectable and experienced seamen as
veil as officers in reference to a proper code Of
discipline for the service, and especially in re-
,ard to the Discretionary punshments to be i'm Z
,osed by officers in command of ships.