The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-08

now in existence al the Academy, which, in consdea
eriul agent in naval warfare, deem all-importani TO
give completeness TO The education OF officer. The
practice ship attached TO the Academy should be a
steamer and there should unquestionably be ma
chine shop, OF cheap and limited character. on the
premises. II practice in the calling weasel has been
considered indispensable 10 improve the students in
practical seamanshp and navigation, is il manifesy
important, that steam is the mighty engine for pro-
pelllng vesses-o that the practice should dis
play to the aqurng YOUTH in familiar experiment the
practical working OF The machinery aud the ATT oil
regulating and controlling in How much secure
will be the war steamer engaged in delicate and import
an, service, involving victory defeat II ofcered by
corps skilled the science OF engineering and trained TO
run and repair engine. who manage her destiny III
pechance, disease or accident mdty or other causes
shall have deprived them OF the engineer
feel thai cannot too strongly invite attention TO this
subject as the progress and advancement OF the age
this early training OF the young officer Is peculiarly cal
caated to improve his fitness for responsible service
The communication OF the last board oil examiners on
this subject is appended to this report.
But, in order TO amiarize The young mdshipman with
all the minute parts OF the machinery OF steamship. il is
proposed that on cheap and small scale, machine
shop be erected the premises OF the academy emba
cling complete collection of the various parts OF engines
and boilers, with full set OF tools. to be used By the
proper professor IN impartng instruction IN his depart
men Of mechanics. A
There are al the institution hundred and six
teen students The first class under the regulations of
1850 will graduate In June next. Captain Sribng on
the let Of November last relieved from his command
superintendent after with the academy Tor
more than three years take pleasure IN bearing testi-
mony to the uniform diligence and marked ability with
which Captain Strbng has discharged his arduOus and
responsible duties The prosperity OF the institution and
the records OF this department attest his hdelIty he is
succeeded by Commander Godsborough, an accomplish
ed officer, who has recently returned from the Mediter
ranean squadron.
the academy from the Bureau OF Ordnance and HydrOg
raphy, The annual report OF the board OF examiners in
relation to the discipline and organization Of the acad-
envy, and also the report OF the cOmmandan al mdship-
men 10 the late cruise of the practice ship PEBBLE.
concur in the opinion often expressed in reports here
tsio.s submitted to ths p Executive aat !, would oe gooa
midshpmtn at large" II Is well known that this rule
exists in regard 10 cadets al the West Point Military
Academy. lis application 10 the Naval Academy will
extend the benefit of the institution to class of youths
who under the present system OF restriction to residence
in congressional districts and TO representative
mendalion. are excluded
YARDS AND DOCKS.
have visited the navy-yards at Kirery, Charlesown
New York, Philadelphia Washington. and Portsmouth,
Virginia Tie public properly at these several yards
was generally in excellent condition under the careful
supervision those in command, and the business vi
the government, conducted with discipline and system
Inc contractors for building the dock, basin, and rail-
way al Pensacola having reported that they had execu
ted the contract arrangements We're made Tor testing the
work, IN accordance with the terms OF the agreement
The irigate Columbia, of the home squadron. was the
ship appropriated for that purpose and board appointed
10 supefntend The experiment full report was made
by the board unfavofabe 10 the contractors, who were
notified that the works could not therefore, be accepted
Dcemng OF great Importance 10 the SniS OF war cruIs
ing in that vicinity, we'll 10 the commercial marine,
that there should be dock Pensacola aud in consid
GRAFTON OF the money expended was unwilling hastily
10 abandon the works.
Il 10 due perhaps to the contractors 10 state that not
wiihs.anding the unanimous unIavorable report OF the
board, consisting OF naval constructor. civil engineer
and officer OF the army and OF The navy, they contend
ed that the board had not applied fax test
have consented to suspend taking action against the
contractors until repairs are made aud another test
Piled at their own expense and risk, which, II is under
stood, will be made at early day.
During the late session of Congress appropriation
was made for erecting buildings at the nAvyyard at
San Francisco and $50 complete and carry into execu
lion the verbal contract for basin and railway in Cali
lorna in connex'on with the floating dock, made by
| and paid for on the 81 of March last
The law provided expressly that the money for the
erection of Buildings, &C., at the navy yard should not
be expended until the Attorney General gave opinion
that the lille good and sufficient The question
accordingly referred 10 him, and opinion given that
the title OF the United States sufficient Under
the. circumstances The money thus appropriated was
not expended. Efforts being made, however, 10 per-
feet the tile. hayward IL very much needed in
California and time will be lost in accomplishing the
work soon as the legal impedImens can be removed
The question OF the necessity and usefulness 10 the pub
lie SERVICE oil the construction OF basin and railway In
connexon with the sectional dock in California, became
matter OF investigation after entered upon the du
ties oil the department Fourteen hundred and fifty
thousand dollars the amount originally agreed upon
for The sectional floating dock 70 combination with the
pended the basin and railway and il agreed that
hundred and ten thousand dollars should be paid for
the dock The construction OF the basin and railway,
submitted TO the discretion OF the department, By the act
OF the last Congress, involves expenditure oil eight
hundred and fifty thousand dollars
The question as TO the ~ecssy OF the basn raises the
inquiry whether this species OF dock Is 90 formed that II
would be unsafe 10 place vessel il for extensive
pairs unless protected by that structure The sectional
floating dock composed OF ten separate and ndepend
ent sections. Uness il has the protection OF quiet ha
bor II would necessarily be much affected by the undu
atng moion OF the and be much at the mercy OF
the winds
When vessel is placed on the dock and Aoa,ed into
basin il may remain there for months repairs without
any danger from storms My predictions very de.
cdedly favor OF stone docks; but Congress has de-
cided that sectional floating dock is preferable in CALI
fornia entertain the opinion that basin necessary
to render perfectly safe when large ship locked for
repairs. which may expose ii TO months OF dangerous
weather. 81
As to the usefulness to the public service my opinion
Pacific coast, 1t would DO rendered doubly useful by
having the basin and railway, by which many vessels
could be accommodated At the same time. Although the
faiisooy would be useful 10 the public service not
oil opinion that il IL necessary
| The opinion having been given by the Attorney Geo.
eal that the title OF The United States to the land pu
chased for hayward good, have declined 10
make any contract for building the basin and railway
On examination ascertained that the contractors had
erect pier to the dock for three years only and
dock the vessels OF the navy provided they were allowed
TO charge for docking merchant ships Tor that space OF
lime. Il il expected that the difficulties to the title
vii be removed al the approaching session OF The l"gs
aiure OF California when shall proceed to execute
contract for the BASIN unless Congress shall otherwise
direct t. s
r. n a.. n ~ ehoJt