The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-08-05
THE FISHERIES. S.
Available Naval Force OF the United
States.

teresting article on the Fisheries, says that for
immediate service in the fisheries, the following
vessels, if ordered, can arrive off Halifax, as
here given:-
Steamship Mississippi 10 guns, Capt. W. J.
McCluney, detached from the Japan Expedi-
ton for the present service, is lying in the port
of New York, fully ready for sea, with officers,
men, provisions, coal and ammunition on board,
waiting final orders to sail. Her battery is 6
medium 32-pounders, and two long 120-pound-
ers pivot guns, throwing shot of paixhan shells
of two feet and half circumference. The Mis-
sissippi can arrive at Halifax direct by the I'd
August.
l Steamer Saranac, Commander G.. J. Pender-
grast-6 guns, (probably long 24-pounder paix-
hans) flagship of Commodore Foxhan A. Park
er, commanding the Home Squadron. She is
lying at Philadelphia, oficered, manned, provis-
ioned, coal, &C., board, full ready for sea,
| (said to be ordered to Boston and Bay of st.
Lawrence immediately If ordered, can be off
Halifax by I'd August
Sloops of-war Albany, Commander Charles T.
Platt, Stated 20 guns carries "a, (size not
mentioned, just arrived from sea, at Boston.
belongs to the Home Squadron, is fully prepar-
ed for any service, and said to be ordered to sail
in company with the Saranac under command
of Capt. J. C. Long. She can, if ordered. ar
rive off Halifax August ID
Sloop Decatur, Commander William Green
stated 16 guns, carries 90, sailed on the 9th
July, from New Orleans, ordered to New York
may arrive here by the 9th August she may be
proyisioned and despatched the next day, and
arrive off Halifax by the 18th of August She
belongs to the Home Squadron.
! Steamer Fulton Commander T. g. Benham,
| 3 guns, very powerful engine, and fast vessel,
well adapted for towing; is in comm isson as
cruser in the Home Squadron; last heard from
at Pensacola, where she probably is now-ifor
dered, can be at the fisheries by the 10th of Au-
gust
Steamer Vixen, Lieutenant commanding, vii
liam Smith, guns, belongs to the Home Squad
ron, lying at Norfolk, undergoing slight repairs
can, if ordered, sail on the 3Oth of July. and
reach Halifax the Sth of August Steams
slowly, but excellent for coasting service; did
good service in the Gulf of Mexico during the
war.
Sloop-of-war st. Louis, % guns, was ready
for sea at Norfolk, ON the Goth inst, had taken
in powder, &C.. understood to be waiting orders
to sail for the fisheries; can arrive there by the
9TH of August.
Brig POrpOise, 30 guns Lieut.. Commanding
E. r. Thompson-just arrived from the Coast
of Africa, at New York-is ready for any SER
vice, and can be provisioned and despatched to-
day, and arrive at Halifax by the 9Th eff Au-
gust.
Brig Dolphin, 10 guns under repairs at New
York Navy Yard; can be sent to sea by the 9th
of August, and arrive at Halifax by tie 18th
Sloop-of-war Marion, (l6 guns Istatedl car
rles 20)-New York Navy Yard, under repairs
can be ready in eight days, and arrive at Hal
flax by the 18th August.
Sloop-of-war Cyane 90 guns,) ready for sea
at Norfolk; going into Dry Dock first-could
sail on 9th August, and arrive at Halifax ON the
18th.
Steamer Powhatan, Capt. VIM. Merrin, (9I
guns preparing for sea at Norfolk-can be rea-
dy by the 5;h of August, and reach Halifax by
the 9th. She is second to no steam frigate a
float, for strength, efficiency or beauty
1t thus appears that we have available for
immediate service, and can concentrate at Hall
fax, if so ordered the following force:
By August 2-Two steamers and one sloop-of-
war-total 40 guns.
S-(Including the above three stea-l
mers, two sloops-of-war, and
one brig-total 121 guns.
15-(Including the above, five steam
ers, five sloops-of-war, and two
brigs-total, C12 vessels) 16l
guns.
There might be added to this force, certain |
small revenue vessels from Mort hern and East
ern ports, which would swell up the force (th'o
not proportionable to strengthen it, to as many
as two hundred guns. The two steamships
Fredonia and Relief, are both in New York Ma
Wy Yard; they carry ten guns, good sailers,
and would be useful to supply coal to the stea-
mers, well for cruising.
The above are all the vessels we have availa-
bic to place on the fishing coasts by the 18th
August; but they are enough, if despatched
without unnecessary delay, and as soon as each
one is ready, to prevent the seizure of many
hundreds of valuable fishing craft, to recapture
some already taken, and perhaps, by their en-
ergetic action, to deter the British cruisers from
too great precipitancy, which, once indulged
in, war would become inevitable. We might
thus gain time for diplomatic action, or for fu-
ture preparation.
BY the 3Oth August the above force can be
increased by the addition of five frigates carry
ing 332 guns, besides smaller vessels.