Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-17

n NJ II
Lieut. Gibbon, who was of the same party, but ex,
pored different section of the country and returned
| 1aser, is nearly completed. -
The indefatigable efforts of Lieut. Dahlgren to
give accuracy and greater effectiveness to gunnery,
and to improve tho ordnance of the navy, have sue
sceeded WE'LL and none can doubt the advantage the
4 service win experience therefrom.
"A law was passed ON the 4th of April, 1912, auth
orzing contract to be made with Robert l.. Stevens,
of New York, for constructing iron war steamer,
to be shot and shell proof Difficulties OF various
kinds occurred, which resulted IN suspension OF
the work In 1852 an act was passed by which the
Secretary of the Navy authorized and required
to have completed with the least possible delay the
war steamer contracted for with Robert l.. Stevens
in pursuance of an act of Congress, approved April
fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and forty
two" Aware of the great changes which have been
made in tho power and destructveness of guns used
on board of ships-of-war since 1872 expressed an
unWilingness proceed in execution of the contrac ct
without an understanding that the proposed steamer
should be shot and shell proof, not merely against
those in at the enactment of the law OF 1912,
but also against the improved guns in use at the
Rod Of the law of 1852. Having came to a proper
understanding in regard to the law, l shall proceed
with the execution OF the contract
NAVAL ACADEMY.
This interesting institution is rapidly supplying
the navy with numbers Of educated and accomplished
young men, whose early training discipline, and in
struction under the guidance Of learned professors
and experienced officers, peculiarly fit them to adorn
the service. The beneficial results already witnessed
the reatonst to the navy that Vest Point Acad-
envy bears to the army.
1t is well worthy OF the fostering patronage of the
government There are, however, certain facilities
not in existence at the Academy, which, in con-
sderaton of the fact that steam is being recognized
the powerful agent in naval warfare, deem all
important to completeness to the education OF
an officer The practccship attached to the Acad
envy should be steamer, and there should unqucs
tionably be a machine shop, of cheap and limited
character, on the premises If practice in the sail
ing vessel has been considered indispensable to i'm
prove the students in practical seananship and
gation is it not manitestly important that steam
is the mighty engine for propeiiing VeSSeS-of-war,
that the practiceship should display to the nquirng
youth, in familiar experiment, the practical working
of the machinery and the art Of regulating and
trolling it, How much more secure will be the war
steamer engaged in delicate and important service,
involving victory defeat, if officercd by corps
skilled in the science of nginecring and trained to
run and repair an engine, who can manage her dcS-
tiny if perchance, disease accident tiinidity
other causes, shall have deprived them of their en-
ginecr?
feel that cannot too strongly invite attention
to this subject as in the progress and advancement
of the age, this early training of the young officer
is peculiarly calculated to improve his fitness for
spOnsiblc service The communication of the last
board of examiners on this subject is appended to
this report.
But in order to familiarize the young midslipman
with all the minute parts of the machinery of
it is proposed that cheap and small
the academy, embracing complete collection Of the
various parts of engines and boilers, with full set
Of tools, to be used by the proper professor in inn
parting instruction in his department of mechanics
There at the institution one hundred and
sixteen students. The first class, under the regua
tons of 1850, will graduate in June next. Captain
Stribbng was the 1st of November last relieved |
rom his command superintendent after conneX- |
on with the academy for more than three years. / |
AXE pleasure in bearing testimony to the uniform |
diligence and marked ability with which Captain |
discharged his arduous and responsible
luties. The prosperity Of the institution and the
S succeeded by Commander GoldSborough, an &C |
;omplish officer, who has recently returned from the
squadron.
Your attention is invited to the report in reference
% the academy from the Bureau of Ordnance and
photography, the annual report of the board of
mners in relation to the discipline and organization
If the academy, and also the report of the
liant of midshipmcn to the late cruise of the prac
ice-shp Prebe.
concur in the opinion often expressed in reports
submitted to the Executive that it would
good policy to authorize the President appoint
nnualy ten midshipmcn lat large" 1t is well
that this rule exists regard to cadets at the
Vest Point Military Academy. Its application to
he Naval Academy will extend the benefit of the |
institution to class of youths who, under the pres
mt system of restriction residence in congress
Ona districts and to representative recommendation,
re excluded.
YARDS AND DOCKS.
have visited the y-yards at kittery, Charles
own, New York, Philadelphia Washington and
'ortsmouth Virginia. The public property at these
everal yards generally in excellent condition
nder the careful supervision of those i'll command,
nd the business of the government conducted with
isciplnc and system.
The contractors for building the DOCK basin, and
ailway at Pensacola having reported that they had
xecuted the contract, arrangements were made tor
esting the work. in accordance with the terms of
ne agreement. The frigate Columbia, of the home
Iuadron the ship appropriated for that purpose,
nd a board appointed superintend the expert
lent full report was made by the board unta-
orable to the contractors, who were notified that
lie works could not, therefore, be accepted Deem
IL it of great importance to the ships-ofwar cruis-
~ in that vicinity, well as to the commercial ma
me- that there should be dock at Pensacola, and
the consideration of the money expended, L was
nwilling hastily to abandon the works.
1t is due perhaps to the contractors to state that
Notwithstanding the unanimous unfavorabe report
the board, consisting of naval constructor civil
ngineer and an officer OF the army and of the navy,
ley contended that the board had not applied fair
st.
have consented to suspend taking action against
lie contracsors until repairs made, and another
st applied at their own expense and risk, which, |
is understood, will be made at an carly day.
Daring the late session of Congress an appropria-
ON was made for erecting buildings at the navy
ard at San Francisco, and ]" to complete and carry
ito execution the verbal contract for basin and
Iiway in California in connexion with the floating
ock as made by the late Secretary" Mare island
as the site purchased, and paid Tor the I'd of | ,
arch last. ,
ALL