The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-05


Plymouth, Saratoga, and Marion. The Dolphin
returned from this station in the month of June.
The Susquehannah is one Of the new steam
ships, and conveyed to Rio Janeiro the late
Brazilian Minister, cur own Minister to Brazil,
and our Charge to the Argentine Confed-
Grafton.
The steamer Michigan, Captain BULLUs,
has continued to cruise on the upper lakes.
The reception of our vessels in all quarters
of the globe has been respectful and cordial.
The expedition under Lieutenant Command
ing HAVEN, in search Of Sir JOHN FRANKLIN,
rsiurned to New York without having effected
its object, but verified many facts before un-
known to science. In view OF the hardships un
dergone it Is recommended that the officers and
men receive the same pay and emoluments that
were granted TO those in the late exploring
expedition TO the South Seas.
Mr.. HENRY GRlNNELL has offered the yes
sells for another cruise.
Three small vessels having been authorized
by Congress to test the new routes pointed out
by the wind and current charts Of the Superin-
tendent of the Observatory, the Dolphin, on
her return, was detailed for this service, and
interesting results are expected,
The Secretary mentions the employment Of
the St. Lawrence during the last year in con
veying articles for exhibition at the Great Fair
at London, and her subsequent conveyance Of
our Charge d'Affaires from Southampton to
Lisbon.
The report Of Board of Engineers, detailed
to make an examination of the navy yard at
Memphis, is submitted.
The stone dock at Brooklyn navy yard is
completed, at cost Of So, lac, 255 36.
The floating sectional dock at Philadelphia
is also reported as ready for delivery, but the
test experiments have not yet been made.
The floating balance dock at Portsmouth,,
New Hampshire, is also expected soon to be
tested; that at Pensacola may not be ready for
delivery before next summer.
4 modified contract has been entered into for
sectional dock at San Francisco, but its loca
ton has not yet been determined.
Ofthe four steamers ordered to be built, the
Saranac, Susquehannah, and San Jacinto, have
been put into commission, and the Powhaian is
not yet finished
The Fulton and Allegheny have undergone
extensive repairs, and steps have been taken to
rebuild the Princeton.
The steam frigate Mississippi, during her
cruise of two years and half, underwent no
repairs but those effected on board, yet retained
her efficiency.
The Secretary recommends that we should
avail ourselves of all the scientific improve
ments of the age, even though ii should not be
necessary to apporton our naval vessels to the
navies of the principal European powers. He
refers to the discoveries in ordnance and gun
merry, by which ship of thirty-two guns may
be more than match for the stoutest ship of
the line. Great Improvements have also been
made in steam-5oilers.
He recommends that every year two new
vessels be built, one steam and the other sail,
upon approved models, and that old vessels
which are unserviceable may be sold or bro
ken up.
He invites favorable consideration to the re-
commentator of the Chief of the Bureau of
Yards and Docks, that machinery be erected,
in one or more of the navy yards, for the build
steamers complete.
The Secretary refers to his recommendations
of last year for the reduction of the number Of
officers of several grades, but thinks it worthy
of consideration whether the number of masters
should not be enlarged.
He repeats his recommendation that the rank
of commodore be legaized, and that two rear
admirals be authorized.
He also earnestly renews his recommends
ton for retired list.
The relative rank of officers Of the navy with
those of the army he refers again to the atten-
ton of Congress.
He recommends code which has been pre-
pared by board of officers as a base of legisa-
ton for the government of the navy; and makes
sundry suggestions and remarks on this subject.
The buildings at Annapolis are in the course
Of completion, and the sloop. of-war Preble,
which has recently made trip to our north
ern boundary, is attached to the academy at
that station. The course of instruction is
changed by requiring four years. continuous
study withoat going 10 sea, except cruise of
three. months annually in the practice-ship.
He submits the report Of a Board of Exam
liners.
He again suggests that it is highly proper to
appoint ten midshipmen at large.
The wind and current charts are being prog
ecuted with much energy, and the Secretary
commends the work as being highly useful.
The expedition for astronomical observa-
tons at Chill appears, he says to have been ac-
lively conducted.
The Nautical Almanac the commission for
examining condensers TO steam boilers, the ex-
periments of Professor PAGE in electro mag
netsm, the meteorological observations and
experiments of Professor EspY, are noticed
The case of the shot and shell steamer to be
constructed by Mr.. r. l.. STEVENS, is submit
ted to the decision Of Congress,
The mail-steamera between New York and
Liverpool continue to be highly successful in
snaed Tho officers of thu payv have Loon