Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-05-20
NO. 6.
Mr.. EDIToR -

-Four Briggs,
Two schooners,
Five s,eam-iriga,es,
Three steamers OF the first class,
Six steamers under the first class.
Ofthese, ioriy-six sail were Nov. l.
lS5O) in commission sixteen in ordina-
ry, and eight undergoing repairs.
There are OH the stocks, four ships OF
the line, two frigales and one steamer
Five Liverpool steamers and one Cha
grls steamer OF the LIST class are con-
structed subject to government pur-
chase for war steamers.
The personnel of the Navy, according
to the Annual Rel ort Of the Secretary
OF the Navy for 1850, was as follows:
Sxty-cght captains,
Ninety eight commanders,
Three hundred and twcnty-seven
Lieutcnants,
Sixty-c ght surgeons,
Thirty-scvcn Passcd-Assistan' Sur
geons,
Forty-,hrec Assistant Surgeons,
Sixiy-four Purscrs,
Twenty -four ChaIlains,
Twelve professors Of mathematics,
Eleven Masters ia the line of promo
lion.
-Four hundred and six,y-four passed
and other midshipmcn, and
Scvenly-fve hundred petty officers,
Seamen ordinary seamcn, landsmen
and boys.
Into the minutip Of this organization
as into that Of the army we avoid enter
ing. OF its adequacy TO mcc, the naton' |
wants there appears to be less douh'
than in the case OF the other element
The number of sail on actual service, Is
by twrnty-lour less than the total num-
ber Of vessels.
Two considerations suggest them
selves.
|. Our commerce whi;ens every
ocean, pCnctratcs every sea and lis adj
vcn'urous sons look TO the pgis Of the
Stars aid Stripes in the remotcst parts
of the world among The most distant
islands for safety. This demands
large, increasing and highly efficient
Navy. .. The strength must not only
increase with the extent Of ocean ever
which il must spl cad its protecting salls,
but also in proportion TO the increase oil
the naval .orces Of other nations and
the remoteness from shelter and the eX-
posurc OF their armies. Ii ought 10 be
able in distant seas, il suddenly assaulted,
10 meet any hostile force that can be
brought against it, and generally with
the advantage, and TO deal to the COM
m,rcc ofa btlligerent more severe blows
.han he could infct yn ours. Our mar
thine interests equal in diffusion, extent
and rapidity Of increase, ii not value,
those Of any nation OIL the globe. But
in rolnt Of number Of sail and weight oil
metal, our navy is vastly smaller than
those of England France or Russia
Add to this, that neither our politics.
our prosperity. nor our policy are calcu-
/ lated to bring us into good odor with
these great European powers. 1t may
7 be that, in spite Of these significant
signs our navy suiIices TO satisfy the
\ conditions OF wise defense. But IT
would be a matter Of surprise, il il were
so. And certainly We cannot believe
\ any reduction ought TO be thought OF,
much less tolerated, by public opinion
in voting. Happily Tor the Navy, the
merchants, shippers and other CONNER
cia men are highly influential and in
telligcnt class, who appreciate its necess'
ity and its use, and are led by interes, af
well as patriotism to support it.
With the general impression that j,
must be kept fully up TO the present
standard and its timely increase care
| fully provided for, we might dismiss the
subject. confident that those whose i'll
teres,s i, directly and constantly pro-
tecls, aud those who IN travelling abroad
are constantly reminded how much its
good condition contributes to our nation
al fame and influence, woul. AT the prop
er time bring its wants before the pub
lie.
But there is one observation which
deserves to be often repeated. All men,
!. even our most acute and calculating
|. counuymen are ap, to be sighted