The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-07

IMPORTANT REFORMS REcoMMBNDED-NEw, suBsrAN
TIAL, AND FAST SAILING VESSELS WANTED, WITH
COMPETENT OFFICERS, ETC.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE HERALD.
WASHINGTON, Dec 8, 1853.
The Report of the Secretary Of the Navy import
ant oocun en from the fact that he the
ganzaton of the navy, and recommends the spproprs
ton of Ave millions for building several steam propeller
fgates He says there not forty vessels which could
be brought into service in ninety days needed In I'D
vocatng the construction Of steam propeers he cont
nues:-
81 re commend, therefore, that the Department be
thorzed to have constructed a. least six first class steam
fgates-propeers The opinion is entertained that that
number may be built In several yards in don to
IL work going on and the repairs usually needed
the return Of vessels from long voyages II is estimated
that they will cost between four and five millions ofdears
and car be built in about twenty months witt the excep
ton deficiency in the supply OF white oak and yellow
line, which be without much difficulty procured.
We have hand at the various yards ample materials
to accomplish what Ia recommended. 1t will be per-
ceved on referring to the estimates of the Bureau of
Construction that estimate is made OF the entire
"As il ia deemed desirable TO make the addition to
naval forces as early pra ccsbe 10 consideration of
the number Of vessels which will BIO unfit for SERVICE
hand for emergencies reasonable supply Of building
maersls venture to suggest the policy Of making the
appropriation at early day to enable the Department
to build them with despatch and purchase supply of
material SO not to diminish the amour, on hand"
He also recommends that the Santee, at Nttery and
the Sabine, at New York. the stocks fince 1872 be
altered modeI nized and finished substitutes for two
frigates of the class withdrawn worthless. The
old ship the line Franklin is being repaired at KitteIy
and her model changed, with view of converting her
into first class steam frigate. Should these
mendations be adopted" the report adds our naval
force will be strengthened by the addition of two rst
class sailing sates and of seven first class steam gates,
capable " mounting fifty guns each, there being
steamer at prefent OF more than ten Ny opinion is,
it would be sound policy to dispose of such vessels
deemed unfit for service vessels Of war" This branch
of the report concludes with recommendation for the
Establishment of machine shops and increase OF enlist
ment men from the pretent enthusiastically five hun
dred-to ten thousand
Under the head Of reorganization OF the navy" the
Secretary recommends retired list reduced pay, for
the faithful who have become nfrm the discharge Of
the inefficient who have claim the bounty Of their
government fer services rendered promotion regulated
by capacity merit and not by seniority
mission pay extent ctntrolled BY service.
board of officers of ous graee to be selected by the
President can be convened periodically to report to him
tie Of those who in their juds aent should be
made fubects Of the rules prescribed but their report
10 be binding the President only far he deems
proper. system Of rewards and punishments to the
sailors, and honorable discharge is suggested
of encouraging more permsnent enlistments, &c.
The Secretary is decidedly opposed to the restoration
Of fof in the navy. He also calls attention to the
Naval .emy Navy Yards, &c. and with regard to the
basin and railway at San Francisco for which az appro
piaon made last Congress- leaving the construction
Of the ork discretionary with the Secretary Of the Navy
he considers although it would be useful it is not me-
cessary. X.Y.Z