Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-17
REPORT OF THE sEc,RY OF THE NAVY


gives an interesting exhibit of the condi-
tion of the puolic service under his super
vision.
The report commences by noting the
movements of our several squadrons during
the year-compliments Com. Platt, of the
Albany, for the energy he displayed at Ha-
vana, during the late invasion of Cuba-re-
fers to the trip of the Mississippi to the
coast of Turkey, 10 take on board Gen. Kos
suth, and her return to the United States.
The Home Squadron consists of five ves-
sells, under the command of Com. Parker.
The Mediterranean Squadron, under Com.
Morgan, consists of three vessels, and one
of them, the independence, alone remains
in the Mediterranean. The San Jacinto is
ordered to the Mediterranean, and the In
dependence is ordered home. The African
Squadron consists of five vessels now under
the command of Com. Lavalette. The Sec
retary doubts the necessity of continuing
this squadron, now that Brazil has prohibit
ed the slave trade among her subjects
The Brazil Squadron consists of four ves-
sells, under Com. McKeever the Pacific Of
seven vessels under Com. McCauly; and
the East India Squadron of four vessels,
under Com. Aulick.
The Secretary bestows high and deserved
praise upon those engaged in the Arctic Ex-
pedition, and announces the fact that Mr.
Henry Grinnell has generously offered his
for another cruise in search of Sir John
Franklin, should Congress authorize Sc.
cond expedition.
The Report gives an interesting account
of the docks and yards, and from this we
learn that the Brooklyn stone dock cost ST..
146 255. The floating docks in Philadelphia
and San Francisco are progressing, and the
latter is to be completed for S6lO, 900. The
site for it, however, will not be selected un-
til next Spring, when the site for the Navy
Yard will also be selected.
Messrs. Wells s. Gowan, of Boston have
contracted to remove the wreck of the stea-
mer Missouri from the Bay of Gibralter fol-
the sum of $50, 900, and are performing the
duty, with no doubt of success.
The report next discusses the propri-
ETY. of the gradual increase of our navy, and
the necessity Of availing ourselves of all the
Improvements and discoveries of the age in
gunnery, ordinance, naval architecture, and
all the appliances of steam. AS an instance
of the improvement of the age, it is stated
that the boilers of the Mississippi, planned
fifteen years ago, can now be reduced near
ly one-half in their dimensions and weight,
and at the same time made at double the
present power of the vessel with about the
same quantity of fuel now required.
1t is recommended that authority be CIV
en- to build, every year, two new vessels,
one sail and the other steam, upon such
models as shall be approved; and as old
vessels may be found unserviceable, from
fault of model or other cause, they may be
sold or broken up.
The Secretary recommends the employ
ment of class of small vessels, to be COM
manGed by Senior Lleutenants. The num-
ber of masters, it is thought, should be en-
larged to so, and the grade of Second Lieu
tenant established The laws for the gov
ernment of the navy, passed more than ff-
ty years ago, have been revised by board
Of officers, and will be submitted for the ac-
ton of Congress. The great defect in the
old laws is the failure to provide any pun
ishment as substitute for corporeal chas-
tsement, which has lately been abolished,
to the detriment of the service. a remedy
must be provided, or the consequences will
become serious.
The buildings at the Annapolis Naval
School are in progress of erection and the
sloop of war Preble has been attached to the
academy as practice ship for instruction
in practical seamanship. An important
change has been made in the plan of edu-
cation, so as to require continued course
of study of four years at the academy, with
out going to sea- except that the vacation OF
three months in each year is spent in
cruise in the practice ship, the former course
requiring two years at the academy, three
at sea, and then two more at the academy.
1t is now believed that for all the purposes
of naval education the academy affords ad-
vantages equal to those for military educa-
ton at West Point. The expediency of ap-
pointing ten midshipmen, to be made sat
large" Is again urged.
The Naval Observatory and Hydrograph-
ical Office have been in active operation du-
ring the year. A second volume of Astro-
nomical Observations has been published.
The wind and current charts planned by
Lieutenant Maury, the Superintendent Of
the Observatory, are being extended to the
Pacific and Indian oceans. A letter from
the Superintendent ofthe Observatory states
the important fact that vessels sailing from
the Atlantic to the Pacific ports of the Uni
ted States, with the instructions afforded by
these charts, make the voyage in forty days
less, upon the average, than those sailing
without them; and that there is reason to
hope the time may be still further reduced.
1t is recommended to establish Bakery
in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, for the prepa-
ration of Navy bread: and to establish a
a new Bureau, to be known as the Bureau
of Orders and Discipline.
REPORT OF THE sECRY OF WAR.
The Secretary of War, in submitting his
Report of the operations of his Department
during the past year, states that the defence
of Texas, New Mexico, and the Mexican
territory adjacent to our own, from the in
cursions of hostile Indian tribes, has chief
ly engaged the attention of the Department.
These tribes are actuated less by hostility
to the whites than by motives Of plunder.
The country is well-adapted to these ma
rauding expeditions. As infantry is of lit
tie service, he recommended in his last re-
port an additional mounted regiment, equip
ned specially for this service. Congress, hot
having adopted this recommendation, the
Department had TO make such disposition
| of ;ts forces as would most effectuallv pro.