The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-04
IE UNION: WASHINGTON THURSDAY MORNING. DEC. A. 1851.

any needfu extent whenever The public exgencies shall
Ia everything pertaining 10 the building. armament.
and equipment OF vessels Of the scrutnizng and nc
live mind OF the present age has not been idle Merchant
vessels OF large draugh have been recently built and
rugged in our country which have sailed BY the force Of
The winds alone, thousand statute miles in three
days, and with approach 10 the like rate OF speed 40
long voyages. Improvements and discoveries ~ ORD.
nance and gunnery have been intfOduced Dy means Oh
which, the opinion OF well informed officers ship OF
nfe rangsay OF ~ gunsmay be SO buit anu fggea
and armed as to prove more than match Tor he soules
line OF battle ship OF the old construction and armament
How far the power of steam may be added TO increase the
superiority Of the modern vessels in speed, destructive
ness, and other points Of is also Iruiiu
theme OF speculation and experiment
With these improvements, whether fully realized or
only in prospect before eyes, il were vain to rest con
tent with the old models and ornaments and appliances
Of vessels which, however excellent in their day. may
have been superseded BY more recent Inventions While
therefore, all proper cautions observed-and nothing,
however specous should be adopted without full nves-
ugaont appears to be our obvious policy to continue
to build ships, not only to supply the places OF those de-
cayed or lost but to test and keep pace with the improve
mens OF the age 1t has been suggested. as matter OF
economy, that such experimental ships be built OF white
oak instead of live oak that being the cheaper material
and generally used in merchant ships.
| In illustration OF Of the improvements in war
steamers il is represented to the department that the boil
ers of the Mississippi, planned fifteen years since, and
with the best intelligence of that day. may be reduced
nearly half in their dimensions and weight and at
the same time made 10 double the power OF the vessel
with about the same expenditure OF fuel as at present
| NioSuoSp6
cular improvement and its recommendation on the
of economy, is herewith submitted.
therefore recommend that authority be given TO build
every year two new yessels-one sail and the other
seam-upon such models as shall be approved; and as
old vessels may be found unservceabe, from fault Of
model or other cause they may be sold or broken up.
/ In this connexon. invite the favorable conside Grafton
OF Congress TO the recommendation OF the Chief Of the
Bureau of Yards and Docks that machinery be erected in
one more of the navy-yards of the country for the
building of steam engines and construction OF Var steam
ers complete.
A class Of small vessels is much wanted to give EN-:
pioyment IN command to senior eutenants, (many OF
whom are kept long and tedious inacton before their
promotion to commanders and would be highly useful
cruisers especially those propelled by steam by reason
of their ability TO penetrate into harbors and rivers mac.
cessible to ships Of larger class.
Having also, in my last annual communication pre-
sened for the consideration Of Congress propositions to
reduce the number OF officers in the grades Of captain
commander and lieutenant OF the navy, beg leave
respectfully refer thereto for the review OF the officers
in those grades, and the commands and empoymens TO
which they may be called in the present state Of the
vice. While the number in these grades might be appro-
priaey reduced, ii is worthy Of consideration whether
the number of masters should not be enlarged and the
grade of second lieutenant established
Although master is recognised necessary officer
on board OF every vessel in commission, and every
yyard, TO seventysix vessels and eight navy yards
there borne upon the register the Of but thirty
masters and OF these nineteen are out OF the line OF promo
ton, and many OF them superannuated otherwise
incapacitaed for duty al If the number of
were raised to hfty exclusive of those not in the line
Of promotion, (who must needs be removed by death in
the of few years. and the grade of second lieu
tenant nterposed between them and that OF first eu!en-
ant-all Of which could be arranged without adding to
the number Of officers, below the rank OF commander,
now in service-it would not only be improvement in
the proportions Of the different grades but would exert
cheering influence on the younger officers, who are now
doomed 10 nger the inferior grade of passed midshp-
man until the ardor of youth passed, and professional
! distinction has lost much of its attraction.
The series of promotions held out TO naval officer,
compared 10 that in the army, is exceedingly limited
without taking into the account brevet rank with which
distinguished service in the latter may be rewarded And
these additional grades cannot but be regarded as new
objects of hope, and incentives to ambition among
the aspirants in the naval service For reasons similar
to the foregoing well others OF great cogency
peat the recommendation formerly made to elevate the
of the service by egalizDg that Of commodore and
establishing Offices of rear admiral As reward for
the gallant conduct OF some OF those surviving veterans
who, than third OF century ago, illustrated
arms in conflicts the ocean, and as snmuant TO others
to emulate their example, these superior ranks would be
graceful distinctions the part of the government and
the position occupy among the naval and commercial
powers of the world renders their immediate recognition
matter OF undoubed policy With one such officer EN-
poyed the head Of the department in Washington in
the disposition and supervision OF the personnel OF the
navy and the other stationed at San Francisco with
TO issue orders squadrons the Pacific and
China seas as well to all officers residing west Of the
Rocky mountains, subject 10 general directions and
pervision from the department, much is believed could
in the remote regions OF the world, in mparting to it ami
formty and system and in relieving inferior officers from
difficulties and responsibilities arising from unforeseen
events.
also most earnestly renew the recommendation 10 es-
tablsh retired list 10 which officers may be transferred
on reduced rates OF pay who may be nvadcd from
10 time, account OF approximation other II
il be objected that this would burden the treasury with
new class of pensions, the answer that the evil already
exists the question being between full and half pay.
even lower ra,e--between denying the vigorous the
willing, and aspiring who perform the duties and must
constitute reliance in time OF danger the positions and
emoluments in which they may improve their talents and
extend their usefulness, add retaining and promoting
OF the effective force all who have been admitted into the
service without reference to intervening disabilities
qualifications. No reform is of greater moment
regards the efficiency of the navy and be
obviously just
The disputed questions OF rank between the officers
and civil officers of the navy and between the several
grades OF officers OF The army and navy, and the reports
OF the boards of officers summoned TO consider these
questions, were brought TO the attention OF Congess in
special communication at the last session. and again
i recommended 10 it's consideration.
I PerceIvng that the laws for the government OF the
and unsued 10 the present state of the service have
caused them TO be revised by board OF officers with in
suuctons ie prepare proper amendments and additions
and prepared 10 transmit Their report for the exam
nation OF Congress- and respectfully recommend that the
code therein proposed be taken a basis OF legislation
this subject Or, If there be disposition adopt
the report general IL will be found to be highly
sary accommodate the law the condition OF af-
fairs arising from settlements the shores of the
Pacihc-the ports OF California and Oregon being
within the United States.
To require orders 10 issue from Washington, for
converting court. martial in the Pacific Try any officer
seamsn, and for summoning Witnesses must greatly
delay and embarrass the enforcement of discipline Yet
it is only the commander OF fleet squadron acting
OF the United States" who has power 10 order such
courts, and approve disapprove their sentences This
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