Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-01-10
Report Of the Secretary OF the
..,.. Navy. -as5

Report Of the Secretary OF the
| Navy. aaE
| This is an important State paper, and
upon Subject that is incrt asing in
interest and magnitude every year.
Commerce is one of the leading inter-
esls of our country, and has a con.
trolling influence in directing and regula-
ting the intercourse of nation; and our
Navy has the appropriate guardianship
and protection Of this great national in
terest. @ Hti
| From the Report of the Secretary,
we learn that our national vessels are
divided into six squadrons-the Home
Squadron; The Pacific Squadron; the
Squadron OH the Coast Of Brazil; the
Mediterranean Squadron; the African
Squadron. and the East Indian and
China Squadron. The vessels of the
Navy Of the United States consist of z
ships of the line; razee; l2 trigates;
81 sloops OF war; briggs; 2 schooners;
steam frigates; 3 steamers of the first
class; 6 steamers less than first class;
and five store ships. There are also on
the stocks aud in progress of construc-
tion, 4 ships of the line and 2 frigates,
and to these may be added, when the
government requires il, steamers of
the first class already built, and con-
structed.
In the Navy are 6s captains, o. com.
manders, 327 leutenants, 68 surgeons.
81 past asst surgeons, 81 pursers, "a
chaplains. IL professors of mathematics,
| masters in The line of promotion, 464
passed and other midshipmen, and 1900
petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen,
landhhen and boys. 1t is estimated tha,
there are 10000 men IN the merchan,
service, SO that the force of the Navy
can be speedily and abundanlly augmeil.
ted, whenever circumstances require it.
The Secretary recommends that the
captains be reduced to GO; commanders
to so, and lieutenants TO 800; also, that
as officers decline in capacity for the
service, they may be retired from the ac-
tive list on liberal terms: and that here
after promotions shall be by merit in
stead OF seniority. He recommends
that The officer of commander, title by
courtesy hitherto, be recognized by law,
and that two officers, at least, of the
rank of rear admiral, be created, so as
10 place the highest officers in our Navy
upon an equality with those of other na-
ions. ...a... M
| The Secretary does not think that our
steamers will supercede sail vessels as
ships OF war, but regards them as most
valuable auxiliares and $, guests that
sail vessels of war be furnished with
steam propellors.
BY the act o. 1887 four war steamers
were authorized to be built. Of these
the Saranac is only ready for sea, and is
attached to the Home Squadron. The
Susquehannah, when finished. will be
attached to the East Indie Squadron,
and the remaining two will be sent to
the Pacific and the coast of Brazil.
The Secretary approves of the total
abolition OF fogging in the Navy, but
he suggests that committee be appoin.
ted to form a proper code of discipline
for the service. The modes of punish
ment have been so contracted that there
is not sufficient latitude given for the ex-
ercise Of that discretion which discipline
and humanity require.
The report recommends an additional
line of steamers or sail vessels for trans
porting the mails from San Francisco 10
Macao, Shanghai and other points in
Eastern Asia.
| The aggregate appropriations requir-
ed for al objects under the charge OF
the Navy Department, is $s.lll, 900
being one million less than the estimate
Of the present year. The Naval service
and marine corps will require $5.9OO,-
62l OF the above sum, and the Secretary
asks that hereafter the appropriations for
the support the Navy be separate from
those granted for permanent objects on
shore. The expenditures of the Depart
ment for the year ending June 80, 1880,
were S7,s9l ,s9l "a, Of which the Navy
and marine corps expended $5,523, 1872
80. The unexpected balance of appro.
priations, June 30lh last, was $685.
253 81, all of which will be wanted to
meet outstanding obligations for the
year.-b.