The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-16
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.


subjects worthy their attention, reminds them
that many valuable suggestions of his prcde
cessors, yet not acted on have lost none of their
interest
The distribution of the navy into six squad
rons has still been adhered to, and the term of
cruise remains at three years, except on the
coast of Africa, where it has been limited to
two. The term, however, is subject to an oc-
casional prolongation when the public interest
requires it,
The East India squadron has been lately re-
organized, and placed under command of Com
modore Perry and his force will consist OF the
llne-oi-battle ship Vermont to be ready about
the / st of March next the steam. frigate Mis-
eissippi, his flagship to be followed by the
steam-frigate POwhatan, detailed in place of
.the Princeton, whose machinery has been found
imperfect, The corvette Macedonian, the sloop.
otwar Vandalia, and the steamer Allegheny,
will compose the remainder of this force The
stQresh'ps supply and Southampton are also
attached to the East India squadron.
The Pacific squadron will be put under oom-
mand of Captain Dulany.
The African squadron will 10 placed under
the command of Commodore Lavalette. The
Secretary suggests that the time has come
when the necessity Of continuing this squadron
may be considered.
On the coast of Brazil, Captain Sater will
in the spring relieve Commodore McKeever.
The Mediterranean squadron, in command
of Commodore Stringham, will probably here
after be reinforced by either the Princeton or
saranac, This squadron has been conspicu-
ously engaged, and the zeal with which it has
performed its duty is commended.
The Home squadron, under command Of
Commodore Newton, consists of the flagship
the frigate Columbia, the steamers Saranaa
and Fulton, and the sloops-of,war Albany aud
Cyane.
The Secretary adyerts 10 the expedition for
she purpose of establishing relations of amity
and commerce with the empire of Japan. and
to the expedition for the exploration and survey
of the China seas, the Northern Pacific. and
Behring's straits. He anticipates important re-
suits from both these expeditions. The latter
Is placed under the command of Commander
Rnggold distinguished for his participation in
a rofmer expedition; and the sieop -of-war Yin,
Gennes the propeller John Hancock, and the
brig Porpoise, have been detailed for the pur-
pose,
With view of contributing to the fulfment
of the high expectations which the country has
formed OF the navy, the Secretary has also set
on foot two other expeditions from which great
good is anticipated These are the African
expedition, under Commander Lynch, and the
expedition for the purpose of exploring the
river La Plata and its tributaries which will
be placed under the command Of Iiau,eaani
Page.
! 10 eOunecton with these the Secretary re
,ers to the return Of Lieutenant Herndon. t.
whom was consigned, in conjunction with Pass
ed Midshipman (now Lieutenant) Gibbon, a,
exploration of the valley of the river Amaze,
and its tributaries. Lieutenant Herndon ha
collected valuable statistics in relation 10 tn
country, and report of his journey is in cours
of preparation. Lieutenant Gibbon has no
yet arrived, but when he returns the fact
gathered in his route will also be submitted.
The services of Lieutenants Lee and Berry
man, in ascertaining she posison OF dangerous
COCKS between the United States and Europe
are noticed.
The expedition in search of Sir John Frank.
lin, about to be organized under the auspices
of Mcssrs. Grinneii and Peabody, will furnish
occasion for valuable scientific observation
and the Secretary thinks be has done no more
than justice TO a meritOrious officer in acceding
to the request of Lady Franklin by permitting
DR.. Kane to accompany the expedition If adj
dtional means should be necessary for his sci
entifc researches the subject is commended to
the attention of Congress
Of the Naval academy at Annapolis, the
Secretary gives his views at some length. As
the number of those who can be admitted to
the school under the present system is necessa-
riiy small, and as the school is liable to some
other objections, he proposes Fundamental
change in its structure, aud recommends that
the academy should be composed exclusively of
cadets, or young men who are received as can
ddates for admission to the navy. By the ar
rangement which he proposes Congress would
be called on to nominate fifty seven candidates
every year, and the President five. besides the
appointment to vacancies arising out of failure
to pass preliminary examinations. Various
other suggestions, in this connection, are offer
ed in regard to the classification of midshpmen
passed midshipmen, and masters, and the cstab-
ishment Of photographed corps The year
y graduates OF the academy will according to
this system, DO assigned to the two branches Of
service described-.namely the regular naval
service, and that Of the hydrographical corps
The Secretary enters into very explicit details
OF the proposed system, and states succincty
the reasons which call for its adoption.
Praise is awarded to Commander Syibling
who has charge of the institution, and to the
of6cers, professors, and assistants under his
command, for the assiduity and intelligence
with which they have performed their duties
On the subject OF the organization and disci-
pline of seamen, the Secretary dwells at length
The abolition of corporal punishment without
provision for suitable substitute, has been
followed by unsatisfactory results and the most
frequent complaints against the abolition of
corporal punishment are made by seamen
themselves. Looking at this state of things
the Secretary SUBMITS the outlines Of new
system Of enlistment by which the sailor after
suitable probation, shall be permanently at
tached to the navy Of the United States receiv-
ing an additional dollar month for every sue
cessve five years service, the right to this ad-
ditional pay being liable to forfeiture by his re-
signa.ion or being struck of the list, which is
only TO be done by order Of the Secretary of
the Navy or by sentence Of a court martial !;
the registered seamen TO be exempt from any
corporal or other punishment.
The Secretary recommends an increase of
the naval establishment Of the United States,
and especially invites attention 10 the recon-
mendaton Of the Bureau Of Construction that
three first-class screw propeller irigates, and
the same number Of propeller sloops-ofwar be
provided for. There is an abundance Of tim-
Der in the navy yards. In connection with this
subject he represents the necessity Of estab-
fishing one or more factories for the construc-
ton Of machinery for the largest class Of steam
crs
Il is also necessary 10 increase the number
Of seamen, and to increase their wages.
Authority is asked for the appointment OF
twenty assistant surgeons, with correspond
ing promotion Of those already in service.
The marine corps and the ipadeauaSy pf It's
numbers are neyt referred 70.
Additional pursers are needed.
The Secretary renews the recommendations
heretofore made in regard To . retired list, and