Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09

Guilty procured, we have on hand at the various
yards, ample material to accomplish what is re-
commended. twill be perceived, on referring to
the estimates of the Bureau Of Construction, &C.,
| that an estimate is made of the entire cost, of
the cost without purchasing any material, and of
the probable amount which would be expended
during the fiscal year without regard to greatdis
patch This was done in order that the subject
might be understood properly, and that such
action might be taken as appeared wisest As
it is deemed desirable to make this addition to
our naval forces as early as practicable, in con-
sideration of the number of vessels which will
soon be unfit for service, and not worth repair
ing, and as it is important to retain on hand, for
emergency, a reasonable supply of building ma
terial, venture to suggest the policy Of max
ing the appropriation at an early day, to enable
the department to build them with dispatch,
and purchase supply Of material, SO as not to
diminish the amount on hand.
| There are two frigates-the Santee, at Kit
terry, and the Sabine, at New York-whieh
have been on the stocks since 1919. They can
be altered and made to conform to modern i'm
provements, and be most useful substitutes for
two frigates of the same class withdrawn as
worthless. l racnnhmend that they be thus re-
constructed and launcneu. Estimates of the
cost will be furnished, should the suggesrfo.-L,
adoped. The old-ship ofthe-line, the Franklin,
is being repaired at Kittery, and her model
much changed with view of converting her
into a first class steam frigate. \.
Should these recommendations be adopted,
our naval force will be materially strengthened
by the addition of two 6rstclass sailing frigates
and of seven frst-class steam figates, capable
of mounting so guns each-there being no
steamer at present of more than ten guns. My
opinion is, that it would be sound policy to
dispose of such vessels as are deemed unfit for
service as vessels of war.
/ cannot allow this occasion to pass without
an allusion to the repeated failures in our
steamships -of-war to fulfil the public expecta-
ton deemed it my duty to order search
ing investigation into the causes of these de-
plorable disasters, and appointed board of
three engineers and one constructor, to inquire
and report to the department. the causes of the
failures, and the parties who were responsible.
Their report is on file in the department, which
may profit from the facts which it discloses.
Although have endeavored tothrow around
recent contracts safeguards, by reserving the
payment of onehalf of the compact price until
the work is completed and successfully tested,
which trust may insure good results, un-
hestatingly renew the recommendation hereto
fore made, of the Importance OF establishing
machine-shops at several nayy-yards on the
Atlantic, and at San Francisco, on the Pacific
coast, for the construction and repair OF ma
chinery for steamshipsofw Recent occur
rences have multiplied cogent arguments in
favor of that policy. With the exception
Of limited arrangements in the Washington
navy-yard, the government is entirely depen.
dent upon private contracts. The yard at New
York is regarded as large and useful, and well
adapted by its plans for purposes of naval con-
struction. Yet when the steamer Princeton
returned from her cruise on the fishing grounds,
to be repaired merely, she had to leave the
navy-yard for private establishment. The
government can avail ITSELF when necessary, of
the skill Of private establishment; but it is sub
mitted whether it is not wise to have q few
machine-shops, in which the supervision and
judgment of its own superntendents may be
exercised as to material, workmanship, and
time.
1t is submitted also, that is important that
the department be authorized, when expedient,
to increase the enlistment of men from the pre-
sent number of $500 to 10000.
The suggestions of the Bureau of Medicine
and Surgery on the propriety of increasing the
number of the medical corps of the navy, are
commended to favorable consideration.
The recommendations in the report from the
commandant Of the marine corps are entitled
to consideration. For the preservation of dis
cipline on shipboard and active service in
emergency on shore, the Importance of this
corps cannot be too highly appreciated. The
improvement of the barracks at the several sta
tons specified in the report, the increase of the
corps, the policy Of adopting some plan for Sc
curing the services Of officers educated and dis
ciplined as the officers of the army and navy,
are subjects deserving attention.
This corps has ever been found faithful and
useful. am clearly of opinion that it should
be enlarged, for in its present limited condition
the active service of officers and men is fire.
quently demanded before it is possible to quail
ify them properly with sufficient drilling.
have thus frankly presented my views Of
the policy aud Importance of enlarging our
naval force.
Reorganization Of tie Nary.
cannot withhold the expression of my opin-
ion that the present organization ofthe navy is
not only essentially defective and unwise, but
is in its practical operation working palpable
and serious mischief to the efficiency and char
acter of that branch of the public service.
am not insensable to the fact that proposals
for radical reform, however much suggested by
the results ofexperience, observation, or refec
ton, are often viewed with distrust and doubt,
as rash innovations upon familiar and long es-
tuuHohCu SloeSlun w. ooiiStihSSt WIN
tenacity and abandoned generally with reluc-
tance. From sense of justice to the service
and duty to the government venture to ex-
pose to view some of those defects, and briefly
recommend remedies by which, it is hoped,
they may be, to some extent removed. This
subject has long attracted the attention OF those
whose occupation or association has brought
them in contact with the navy, and, as it has
more recently won the consideration Of Con-
gress and the public great solicitude is felt,
great hopeis entertained, that the much-needed
relief will be no longer delayed.
The great evil in our present system is, that
neither merit, nor sea-service, nor gallantry,
nor capacity, but mere seniority Of commissio's
regulates promotion and pay. The gallant,
chivalrous men Of the navy feel subdued, dis
pirited, discouraged; their ardor is chilled; the
fire of their young ambition and pride is well
NIGH eytin nuuished MANY are leaving the SER