The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-05


ham, Secre AIRY OF the Navy, occupies nearly fsc
columns OF the Republic, aud gives an interest
ing exhibit of the condition Of the public service
under his supervision.
The report commences by noting the move
ments OF our several naval squadrons during the
I Noncompliance Com. Plati, OF the Albany,
for the energy he displayed at Havana, during
the late invasion of Cuba--refers TO the trip of
the Mississippi To the coast Of Turkey TO take
on board Gen. Kossuth aud her return 10 the
United States announces that the inde-
pendence tine only u. s vessel in the MediIer-
ranean, has been ordered home, being unsuied
for winter cruising in that sea.
The African squadron, under Com. Layaette,
has been assiduously and successfully engaged,
aided by the English squadron, in suppressng
the slave trade, but as Brazil has abolished the
slave trade among her subjects, il is proposed to
inform Great Britain of our determination to
Withdraw our squadron altogether from the AT
rican coast, and increase it the coast Of Bra
I'll, leaving the Home Squadron to guard against
the Of our fla! for the slave trade with the
! Spanish West Iodies. Such arrangement, it
is believed, would more certainly conduce TO the
suppression of the slave trade, and at the same
time promote the health of the officers and crews
of our vessels.
The Bainbridge, of the Brazil squadron, has
been ordered to relieve the Perry on the African
coast; the latter being ordered home.
The Brazil squadron is under the command of
Commodore McKeeyer, and its efficiency is
duly commended, as are also the Mediterranean
squadron, Com. Morgan; the Home squadron,
Com. Parker; Pacific squadron, Com. McCauiey !;
and the East India squadron, Com. Aulck, who
is on his way out in the Susquehanna. The
Marion will be relieved on the arrival out Of the
Susquehanna and Plymouth, and return home
by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, bringing,
it is expected, valuable varieties of the seed or
root of the sugar cane, and also of the tea pa t,
collected under the orders of the Department
| for distribution in the sections of our country
adapted to their cultivation.
| In all quarters of the globe our vessels have
been cordially received, and the officers well
treated. The interests of com nerce, interna
tiona peace and friendship are, it is believed,
promoted by the visits of our armed vessels,
and the display of our flag on foreign sqores.
| 1t is recommended tn the officers and men
OF the late Grinnel expedition, be allowed the
same pay and emolument that were granted TO
those in like positions in the late exploring ex-
petition to the South seas. Mr.. Grinnel has Of
fered his vessels again, should Congress see fit
to authorize a second expedition in search Of
Sir John Franklin.
patched to test new routes on the ocean, pointed
out by the superintendent of the observatory
and favorable results are anticipated. During
the year, ninety officers have been employed on
the coast survey the supervision of which it is
commended should be referred to the Navy
Department
The cost of the large stone dock at Brook
Ign, has been 81 l46,255 SO. 1t was so far
completed in August, as to be delivered to the
conmandani of the yard The floating sectional
DICK basin and railway at Philadelphia, is re-
ported ready for delivery, and the one at Ports
mouth, N. H., nearly ready. The balance dock,
at Pensacola, will not be>ready before the ensu-
ing summer. The floating sectional dock on
San Francisco bay has been contracted for, at
100000, and will be completed in two years
from May last Its location cannot be deter
mined until the site for the navy yard is selected
The dock, it is suggested, when not in use for
the repair of naval vessels may be used by mer-
chant vessels. Adequate appropr atoms are
urged for the San Francisco navy yard
Messrs. Wells a. Gowan, of Boston have con-
tracted TO remove the wreck of the steamer Mis-
sour from the Bay of Gibraltar, for the sum of
$4,000, and are now performing the duty with
no doubt of success.
The report next discusses the propriety of the
gradual increase of navy and the necessity
Of availing ourselves of all the improvements
and discoveries of the age in gunnery ordnance
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 Mis-
sssppi, planned fifteen years ago, can now be
reduced nearly one-half in their dimensions and
weight, and at the same time made to double the
present power of the vessel with about the same
quantity OF fuel now required
/ 10 i. Al 1
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 un-
serviceable, from fault of model or other cause,
they may be sold or broken up.
The recommendation of the chief of the bu-
reau Of yards and docks, that machinery be
| erected, in one or more of the navy yard.
of the country, for the building of steam
engines, and construction of war steamers com.
pete, is recommended to the attention of Con-
gress.
A class Of small vessels is much wanted 10
give employment in command TO senior lieuten-
ants, many of whom are kept ia long and tedious
naction before their promotion to commanders,
and would be highly useful to cruisers, especi.
ally those propelled by steam, by reason of their
ability to penetrate into harbors and rivers mac.
eessible to ships Of larger class.
| Inc PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATION 10 reduce the
number of officers in the grades of captain, com
mander and lieutenant Of the navy, is renewed.
at the same time that the number Of masters be
increased to ifIy, and the grade Of second lieu
tenant established. IL is also urged again that
the ranks Of commodore and two rear admirals
be legalized, TO be conferred on surviving vet
Grams, who, more than third of a century ago.
illustrated our arms in conflicts on the ocean
| IL would be a stimulant 10 others 10 emulate
their examples
The establishment Of retired lis, is once
more pressed upon the attention of Congress,
ms are also the disputed questions Of rank be-
tween the sea officers and civil officers of the
navy, and between the several grades Of officers
Of the army and navy.
The laws for the government Of the navy
passed more than fly years ago, have been re-
vised by board Of officers, and will be submitted
for the action Of Congress. The great defect
in the old laws is the failure to provide any pun.
ishment as to substitute for corporal chastise
ment, which has lately been abolished, to the