Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-10-21
Naval Reform .

An article in the Philadelphia NORTH american ex-
presses the opinion that the Secretary of the Navy
is likely to inaugurate new era in the branch of
public service which he presides. The Balti-
more american, copying the article, says there is
very little doubt that if Congress will stand by the
will soon be placed on such footing that it may be
relied on by the country as ready to act promptly
and efficiently in any emergency.
Among other measures of reform, is one which it
is hoped will more closely identify the feelings and
interests of the sailor with the service. AS means
of accomplishing this end, it is proposed to give
Jack an honorable discharge at the end of each
three years cruise, with agreement that if he
viii reship the end Of three months, he shall he
considered only have been off on leave of absence
and shall be entitled to his pay during that absence
We have no doubt this would be good step. but a
still more efficient, and indeed Indispensable
measure. is to raise the pay of in the Navy
and put it on something like equality with that
which is received in the merchant service BY this
means only can seamen be secured of the best quail
fcations and character, AMI whose conduct will be
as to avert the necessity of restoring the of the
lash in the Navy Another excellent suggestion is
the establishment of retired list, by means OF
which, superannuated and inefficient officers may be
put upon the shelf: and another is the enactment
of declaratory law, recognising the propriety of
promotions according to merit instead of seniority,
as is now the general custom This is most excel
lent proposition. 1t will give noble incentive to
courage and good conduct and stir up the laggards
with a long pole drive them from the service
The opinion was also expressed that the Secretary
will urge very considerable increase of our naval
force and especially an addition to steam Navy
In view of our rapidly growing commerce. and of
the large increase of steam force in the European
navies we hope that Congress will promptly respond
to any recommendations of this character. 1t may
be question whether steam frigates will prove a
match in fight for sailing vessels OF the class,
but their uses in harassing the commerce OF ene-
my are not to be overlooked. But above all, it
should be forgotten that the most important use
which has vet been made OF steam in naval vessels
is that which has been extensively adopted by
the Governments of England and France, whereby
existing ships of the line and fgaes have been
verted into propellers without in any way mpairng
their qualities sailing vessels. By this most i'm
portant Improvement, English and French ships,
carrying ninety guns and thousand men, move a.
long under steam at the rate Of nine miles an hour
Tt is easy to the immense advantage which such
ships would possess in action sailing vessels
of the same class and the facilities they would offer
for the transportation of troops Our own Navy
could be swept from the in six months by half
its numbers. composed of this description of ships
and our coast be laid open at every point to the de-
i scent Of armed multitudes.
In view 1.-THE strong probability that our repub-
ican principles will one day bring In collision
with the great powers of Europe, it behooyes as to
be ready to meet them on the battlefield where our
quarrel must be decided-the ocean.