The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-03

Reform In the Navy.

Reform In the Navy.
Now that Congress is about to meet, we trust
that the present neglected Inefficient state Of
the navy will be made a subject Of inquiry,
and that measures will be adopted to place it
on footing more in keeping with the position
occupied by the United States in the scale of
nations, and, above all, her position as the first
maritime power of the earth. We do not want
very large navy for our commercial marine
is SO extensive that, in the event of war, it
could be made available with terrible eff
feet; but what we require is an efficient
one superior as to sailing model supe-
rior in equipment and superior as to officers
and men. Though the quantity is greatly def
cient, it is the quality that is Of most import
ance. In fact, the reduced quantity is the very
reason why it is absolutely necessary that the
quality should approach as near as possible to
perfection. But what is the actual condition of
our navy in this respect?
1t is well known to every officer in the navy
who has seen the ships of other Powers-it is an
iDcontrovertible, indsputable fact known to all
who possess any information on naval affairs
that, with the exception, perhaps of one frigate,
five or six sloops constructed within few years,
and three Of our sixteen steamers, the materiel
of our navy will not bear comparison with the
modern ships of foreign navies. There has been
very little progress made in the Improvement
Of the sailing qualities of ships of war in any
country for the last forty years. But whatever
Improvement has been made. the United States
government cannot boast much in that respect,
which is the more remarkable, as she has out
outstripped the world in the speed Of her COM
mercisl marine. Speed is far more essential in
sailing man-of-war than in a merchant vessel.
1t is obvious that either in giving chase or in
retreating from superior force. rapid sailing
is of the highest Importance. Even as a convoy
or cruiser slow craft cannot be employed
without detriment to the public service Should
rights upon the high seas, her ships will un-
doubtedly be compelled to cope with the best
Of the improved models of the present day, aud
unless we keep pace with other Powers we
shall be taken at great disadvantage.
Now, as to the armament of our war steamers.
what are the facts The Princeton has four
eight-inch Paixhan guns, and six thirty-two
Founders, all of reduced weight and not SER
viceable at long range. The pivot guns Of the
Powhatan and Susquehanna are like their
broadside guns Of eightinch calibre, but of
nearly double the weight and they may answer
pretty well for vessels of their size. Suppos-
ing that steamers should not be furnished with
hot oJ,;d
which is as yet a mooted point-the Missis
sippi, though she has behaved nobly dur
ing number of years, and seen more
active and arduous service than any
man of war steamer of her size, is singular
ly deficient in point Of armament. She mounts.
it is true, two ten.inch, and eight eightinch
shell guns; but as they are light in metal, they
cannot give accuracy to shot at distant ranges.
Neither has she the means, like the Saranac.
Powhatan, and Susquehanna, of bringing a
stern chase gun to bear upon an enemy under
circumstances favorable to herself Most of the
smaller steamers are decidedly defective or ut
tcrly useless. Though the names of sixteen
are found upon the register, not one half of
them are available as efficient cruising vessels
in time of war. So much for bulls and arma-
ment.
With regard to the machinery of our war
steamers, the present system providing it by
contract is all wrong. A national workshop
ought to be established at Washington or New
York for supplying machinery and boilers to
our national vessels; and without regard to ex-
pence (for economy in such cases is prodigali-
ty) the work ought to be the best that could be
made by human skill. When done by contract
it is done in the very worst manner that will
pass, and the money expended is to great ex-
tent, thrown away.
Next, as to officers, we believe that the
junior officers can compare favoraby with any
men of the same standing in any service in the
world. But we cannot say so much of the cap
tains who may have been excellent in their
day and generation. but whose time for such &C.
tive service as that of the duties Of captain
having long stree gone by, they must