Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-06

that the United States should appon tne naval vessels
and force those the OF the principal nations OF
Europe with which, by possibility they may have COLI
ons should by omit to avail ourselves OF all
the aids afforded by science and experience In the
Of naval establishment and at the same time en-
large capacities for increase TO any needu extent
whenever the public exigencies shall require It,
In every thing pertaining to the building armament,
and equipment of vessels OF war; the scrutzng and ac-
tive mind of the present age has not been idle Merchant
vessels Of large aught have been recently built and
ged our country which have sailed by the force OF the
winds alone thousand statute miles In three days. and
with approach the like rate OF speed IN long voyages
and discoveries in ordnance and gunnery
have been introduced by of which, In the opinion
of welinormed officers ship OF inferior ratlng say or
80 guns may be built and rugged and armed as prove
more than match for the stoues hne-of-batue ship or
the old construction and armament How far the power
of steam may added increase the superiority OF the
modern vessels in speed and other points
of man-ow war; is also fruitful theme OF speculation
and experiment.
With these improvements, whether fully realized or
only prospect before eyes, 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been superseded by recent inventions While there
fore all proper cautions observed-and nothing how
ever speciou should be adopted without full nyestga
-it appears be obvious policy to continue to
build ships lot only to supply the places OF those decayed
or lost but to test and keep pace with the improvements
of the age 1t has been suggested matter of
N.Y. 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 one Of the improvements in steam
ers is represented to the Department that the boilers OF
the Mississippi planned fifteen years since and with the
best intelligence Of that day. may be reduced nearly one
Dimensions and weight and at the same time
made to double the power of the vessel with about the
expenditure of fuel at present The letter OF the
engineer discussing in detail this particular improve
ment and its on the score OF economy
is herewith submitted
therefore recommend that authority be given to build
every year two vessels-one sail and the other
seam-upon such models shall be approved and old
vessels may be found unserviceabe from fault OF model or
other cause they may be sold or broken up
In this connexon, invite the favorable consideration
of Congress the recommendation Of the Chief Of the
of Yards and Docks that machinery be erected
or more of the navy yards of the country for the
building of steam engines and construction of war steam
ers complete.
class of small vessels is much wanted to give employ
ment in command senior eutenants many of whom
kept long and tedious nacton before their promotion to
and would be highly useful cruisers,
pecay those propelled by steam by reason of their ab
penetrate into harbors and rivers inaccessible to ships
Of larger class.
Having also, in my last annual communication present
for the consideration of Congress propositions reduce
the number of officers in the grades Of captain,
DER and lieutenant OF the navy beg leave respectfully
refer thereto for the review Of the officers in those
grades, and the commands and employments to which
they may be called in the present state Of the service
While the number in these grades might be appropriately
reduced it is worthy of consideration whether the number
should not be enlarged and the grade of second
lieutenant established
ALTHOUGH master is recognised necessary officer
board of every vessel in commission and at every navy
ward to vessels and eight navy yards there
are borne upon the register the OF but thirty mas
ters and of these nineteen out of the line Of promo
ton and many of them superannuated or otherwise
incapactated for duty If the number Of masters
were raised to fifty exclusive of those not in the line of
promotion who needs be removed by death in the
of few years. and the grade Of second lieutenant
nerposed between them and that OF first lieutenant all
odd IN fha In1ha
of officers below the rank of commander in service,
would only be an improvement in the proportions OF
the different grades but would exert cheering influence
on the younger officers who doomed to nger IN
the inferior grade of passed mdshpmen 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 that in tho army, ia exceedingly limited,
without taking 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 aspirans in the naval service For
similar the foregoing well others of great
cy repeat the recommendation formerly made to ele
vate ranks Of the service by legazng that of
modore and establishing two Offices of admiral As
reward for the gallant conduct of some Of those survv
ing veterans, who than third Of century ago,
illustrated our arms in conflicts on the ocean, and as
stimulant others to emulate their example, these supe
rior ranks would be graceful distinctions the part of
the Government; and the position we occupy among the
and commercial powers of the world renders their
With one such officer employed the head of the depart
in Washington in the disposition and supervision of
the of the navy and the other stationed at San
Francisco with power to issue orders to squadrons in
the Pacific and China SEAS well to all officers residing
Of the Rocky Mountains, subject to general drec
tons and supervision from the Department much it is
believed could be effected in giving promptness and vgor
to the service in the remote regions of the world in inn
parting to it uniformity and system, and in relieving in
feror officers from difficulties and responsibilities arising
from unforeseen events.
also most earnestly renew the recommendation to
absh retired list to which officers may be transferred
reduced rates of pay who may be nvaded from time
to time, account of superannuation other If
it be objected that this would burden the treasury with
exists the question being between full and half pay,
lower rate: between denying to the vigorous the
willing and aspiring who perform the duties and must
constitute reliance in time of danger the positions and
emouments in which they may improve their talents and
extend their usefulness and retaining and promoting
of the effective force all who have been admitted into the
service, without reference intervening disabilities
dsqualfcations. 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 the boards Of officers summoned to consider these
tons were brought the attention of Congress in
cal communication at the last session, and again
commended to its consideration.
Perceving that the laws for the government of the
navy, passed than fifty years since, defective
and unsued to the present state of the service have
caused them to be revised by board Of officers with in
sructions prepare proper amendments and additions
and prepared transmit their report for the exami
nation Of Congress- and respectfully recommend that the
code therein proposed be taken basis Of Legislation
this subject Or if there be disposition to adopt