Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05
ORGANIZATION OF THE NAVY.

We yield to the request of friend, who has a
practical acquaintance with Naval matters to insert
the annexed portions of communication which APP
peared lately in the New York Mirror In things
professional must necessarily be guided by faith
more than knowledge but there is one reflection
prompted by the subject which common sense will
warrant without any professional knowledge; and
that is that nation should not invite or threaten
war without making all prudent preparations for it,
During the past ten years the English
French and Dutch Governments have made very extra
ordinary efforts to resuscitae, strengthen and extend
the and discipline of their respective naves 1t is
notorious circumstance that the officers and seamen
daily employed in exercising their great guns afoat
and ashore; and that John Bull prides himself very
much in his superiority in gunnery.
The French Government has added very largely to its
navy during the last five years. especially in steamers
France has in commission forty shipsof-theline,
Fifty rgate old forty coryetes, eighteen armed trans
ports; to which add fifty frigates. and twenty
vettes Of three hundred and twenty to four
power and seventy small steamers.
She has also made great and important change in her
navy. She has removed all the old and inefficient
officers and placed the decks of her ships young
vigorous ambitious men, in their prime of e capable and
ambitious Of attempting the most daring achievement for
the honor Of the navy and the glory of La Belle France
The English navy, too has been vastly increased in the
number and quality Of its shpsofwar and steamers. At
this moment there ships-ofwar the stocks
in the Royal navy yards than at any other period in
twenty years. Having very recently visited the dock
yards Plymouth and other naval depots in Great Br
tain, also in France offer the foregoing observations,
with confidence in their accuracy have only to add
was astonished at the extraordinary exerOns making in
Europe to increase their naval power and efficiency The
English navy far exceeds in force that Of the French
as much the Dutch marine exceeds the navy Of the
United States.
With these facts before us let briefly compare the
present force Of the United States navy and what its
condition would be in the event of war with either Of
the great Powers Of Europe.
On examination Of the United States navy list cannot
find seventy vessels Of all grades from boats
up to ships Of hundred and twenty guns OF these
eleven are ships Of the line, fifteen frigaes
soops-of war; and FIVE steamers; about half Of
which be made fit to 90 to sea, and that
never leave the docks.
Now before boast and brsg, las too apt to do
let every patriotic American compare naval force with
that Of the European Powers and say considering the
extent and Importance Of mercantile tonnage whether
il is bounden duty to increase the number Of
ships and steamers and make navy and power
on the ocean better correspond with our dignity ana I'M
p0rtance a nation.
To effect this would have immediate survey Of all
ships and all those unfit for service forthwith
condemned and new with the old construct
ed next examination Of the navy list and Of the
actual services rendered by every ocer and that officers
who by age, nrmty and other causes are incapable Of
effective service, should be placed retired list with
due regard to past and honored services.
There many old and gallant officers who kept
on the navy tNho have spent their youth and vgor in
the navy who have performed meritprous service and
who are justly entitled to quiet tranquility and
and be taken kind care Of by grateful country.
The want Of this retired list has almost paralyzed the
navy The majority Of the eutenants are growing grey
and many despairing Of promotion with families growing
up around them, are seeking civil employments. The
greater portion Of the mdshpmen are over thirty years
Of age, doing boys" duty aboard ship, with dis
hearenng prospect Of being commanders seventy years
Of age.
Common sense dictates that such system will soon
end in breaking down once glorious navy when II
should be the duty and pride Of every Anne
rcan promote and sustain it. let the expense be what
Every American feels, ought to feel pride in the
navy The noble and brilliant achievements Of the navy
in days past will be forgotten We Justly and
proudly point to the daring and victories Of our navy
as presenting most glorious and imperishable claim
the reputation of brave and gallant nation Our repu-
taton shall and must be maintained and the only mode
70 accomplish this is promptly TO remedy the defects
! which have described.