Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09

communication of the last board of examiners
on this subject is appended to this report.
But, in order to familiarize the young mid
shipnnen with all the minute parts of the ma
chinery of steamship, it is proposed that, on
cheap and small scale, q machine shop be
erected on the premises of the academy, en-
bracing complete collection of the various
parts Of engines and boilers, with a full set Of
tools, to be used by the proper professor in inn
parting instruction in his department of me-
chanics. f fet
There are now at the institution one hun
dred and sixteen students. The first class,
under the regulations of 1850, viii graduate in
June next Captain Stribling was, on the lst
Of November last, relieved from his command
as superintendent, after connexion with the
academy for more than three years. take
pleasure in bearing testimony to the uniform
diligence and marked ability4with which Capt.
|.Stribling has discharged his arduous and re-
sponsible duties. The prosperity Of the insti-
tuition and the records of this department at
test his fidelity. Heis succeeded by Commander
Goldsborough, an accomplished officer, who has
recently returned from the Mediterranean
squadron.
Your attention is invited to the report in
reference to the academy from the Bureau of
Ordinance and Hydrography, the annual report
of the board of examiners In relation to the
discipline and organization of the academy,
and also the report of the commandant of
midshipmen as to the late cruise of the prac.
tice-ship Preble ls,
concur in the opinion often expressed in
reports heretofore submitted to the Executive,
that it would be good policy to authorize the
President to appoint annually ten midshipmen
"at large" 1t is well known that this rule ex-
lists in regard to cadets at the West Point mill
tary academy. Its application to the naval
academy will extend the benefit of the institu-
ton to class of youths who, under the present
system of restriction to residence in congress
sional districts and to representative recon-
msndation, are excluded.
Yards and Docks.
/ have visited the navy-yards at Kittery,
Charlestown, New York, Philadelphia, Wash
ington, and Portsmouth, Virginia. The public
property at these several yards was generally
in excellent condition under the careful super
vision of those in command, and the business
of the government conducted with discipline
and system.
The contractors for building the dock, basin,
and railway at Pensacola having reported that
they had executed the contract arrangements
were made for testing the work, in accordance
with the terms of the agreement. The frigate
Columbia, of the home squadron, was the ship
appropriated for that purpose, and board ap-
pointed to superintend the experiment. A full
report was made by the board unfavorable to
the contractors, who were notified that the
works could not, therefore, be accepted. Deem
ing it Of great Importance to the ships-ofwal
cruising in that vicinity, as well as to the com
mercial marine, that there should be dock a
Pensacola, and in consideration of the money
expended, was unwilling hastily to abandon
the works. s
1t is due, perhaps, to the contractors, to state
that, notwithstanding the unanimous unfavour
able report Of the board, consisting Of nava
constructor, civil engineer, and an officer of the
army and of the navy, they contended that the
board had not applied fair test. !. Is
have consented to suspend taking action
against the contractors, until repairs are made,
and another test applied at their own expense
and risk, which, it is understood, will be made
at an early day
During the late session Of Congress an ap-
preparation was made for erecting buildings at
the nayy-yard at San Francisco, and 6 to COM
plete and carry into execution the verbal con-
tract for basin and railway in California, in
connexion with the floating dock, as made by
the late secretary" Mare island was the site
purchased, and paid for on the I'd 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 Attor-
ney General gave an opinion that the title
was good and sufficient. The question was
accordingly referred to hinl, and an opinion
given that the title of the United States was
not sufficient. Under the circumstances, the
money thus appropriated was not expended.
Efforts are being made, however, to perfect the
title. A navy-yard is very much needed in
California and no time will be lost in accom-
plishing the work so soon as the legal impedi-
ments can be removed.
The question of the necessity, and usefulness
to the public service, of the construction of a
basin and railway in connexion with the Sec
tional dock in California, became matter Of
investigation soon after entered upon the du-
ties Of the department. Fourteen hundred and
fifty thousand dollars was the amount origi-
naily agreed upon for the sectional floating
dock in combination with the basin and rail-
way. subsequently the contract was suspend
ed as to the basin and railway, and it was
agreed that six hundred and ten thousand dol
lars should be paid for the dock. The con-
struction of the basin and railway, submitted to
the discretion of the department by the act Of
the last Congress, involves an expenditure of
eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The question as to the necessity of the basin
raises the inquiry whether this species of dock
is SO formed that it would be nnsate to place a
vessel on it for extensive repairs, unless pro-
tected by that structure. The sectional float
ing dock is composed of ten separate and in
dependent sections. Unless il has the protec.
ton of quiet harbor, it would necessarily be
much affected by the undulating motion OF the
waves, and be much at the mercy Of the winds.
When vessel is placed on the dock and
Hoated into a basin, it may remain there for
months repairs without any danger from
storms. NY predictions are very decidedly
in favor of stone docks; but Congress has de-
cided that sectional floating dock is prefer
able in California. Ientertain the opinion that
a basin is necessary to render it perfectly safe
when large ship is docked for repairs, which
may expose it to months of dangerous weather.
As to the usefulness to the public service, my
opinion is, that as it is proposed to build but
IL. "a 4.