The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-08

impaired CaVAC'ty
for sailing, and consume too much coal for distant
cruises lboee now hand be made TO answer
we'll for short cruises and despatch vessels. The
screw propeller being upon principle not much IN
ieicrng with The sailing capacity. with the Improved
models of the present day. can be constructed 10
sail well the best clipper ships aud reserve the use
OF steam o emergencies when greatest speed is required
or when. In calm, desirable position be the more
promptly and surely taken. The great necessary expense
incident 10 The expedition 10 Japan could have been
tenalIy. indeed one hail. curailed, bad II been In the
power OF The department TO have supplied the squadron
with yopeers instead Of the side wheel steamers
now costingso much from the consumption OF coal
recommend. therefore, that the department, be author
lied to have constructed least first class steam gale
propeers The opinion Is entertained that that number
may be built 10 several yards addition the work
now going on. and the repairs usually needed on the
turn OF vessels from long cruises II is estimated that
they will cost between four and i've millions Of dollars,
and can be built in about twenty months With the
cepon OF some deficiency in the supply OF whleoak and
yellow pine which can be without much difficulty pro-
cured, have hand At the yards ample
lerial to accomplish what is recommended. It will be
perceived on referring 10 the estimates OF thu Bureau Of
Construction, &c., that estimate Is made oil the entire
cost-o the cost without purchasing any material. aud
OF the probable which would be expended daring
the fiscal year without regard TO great despalch. Ths
was done in order FIAT the subject might be understood
properly, and that such action might be taken APP
peared wIsest As 1t is deemed desirable 10 make this
addition to our naval forces early practicable 10
consideration OF the number OF vessels which will
be unit Tor service aud not worth repairing, and
important to retain on hand for emergency reasonable
supply OF building material, venture TO suggest the poll
cy oil making the appropriation at an early day. TO en-,
able the department TO build them with despatch, and
purchase supply OF material not to diminish the
amouat on hand
Sabine. at New York-whch have been the stocks
since 1919. They be altered and made TO conform
TO modern improvements. and be most useful substitutes
Tor two trgaes OF the class Withdrawn as worth
less recommend that they be thus reconstructed and
launched Estimates OF the cost will be furnished
should the suggestion DC adopted The ca ship of,he-
model much changed, with view OF converting her into
a first class steam frigate.
Should these recommendations be adopted, naval
force will be materially streng by the addition OF
two first class sailing frgaes and Of seven rst-cass
steam frigates, capable OF mouning so guns eaclhere
being no steamer at present of more than ten guns My
opinion that would be sound policy dispose of
such vessels deemed unfit for service vessels OF
war.
cannot allow this occasion 10 pass without an allu-
sion the repeated failures in steamships war to
fulfil the public expectation. deemed it my duty 10 or
der searching investigation into the OF these de-
porabe disasters, and appointed board oil three eDgi-
neers and ruclor 10 inquire aud report TO
department the OF the failures. and the parties
VINO responsible. Their report ia file in the de.
paf,ment, Which may poh, IRON the facts which dis
closes.
Although have endeayored to throw around recent
contracts safeguards, BY reserying the payment OF
hall OF the compact price ua the work completed and
tested, which trust may insure good results
unhesitaunsly renew the recommendation heretofore
made, OF the importance OF establishing machine shops
several nayy-yarls the Atlantic. and at San Francis
CO. the Pacific coast for the construction and repair
OF machinery for steamships owar Recent occurrences
have multiplied cogent arguments IN favor OF that policy
With the exception OF limited arrangements in the Wash
ngtoa nasyysd the goysrnment Is entirely dependent
upon private contracts. The yard At New York is
sarded large AMI useful aud well adapted by its plans
Tor purposes of naval construction. Yet when the
Princeton returned from her cruise on the fishing
grounds, 10 be repaired merely, she had leave the
hayward Tor private establishment The government
avail itself when necessary OF the skill OF private
but is submitted whether il is not wise to
have few machine shops in which the supervision and
judgment OF s own superintendens may be exercised
as 10 material, work manship. and lime.
II is submitted. aso that il is important that the de-
pariment be auhorzed when expedent 10 increase the
OF men iron the present number OF 1900 10
10 600
The suggestions Of the Bureau of Medicine and Sur
gerry on the popristy OF increasing the number OF the
medical corps OF he navy are commended 10 favorable
The menda,ions in the report from the command
ant oil the marine corps entitled 10 consideration For
the preservation OF discipline ship board and active
service Ia emergency on shore, the importance OF this
corps cannot be too highly appreciated The improve
men OF the barracks al The several stations specified
the report the increase OF the corps the policy OF adopt
ing plan Tor securing the services OF officers educa
ted and disciplined as the officers OF the army and navy
are subjects deserving attention.
This corps has ever been found faithful and usefu.
clearly OF opinion that should be enlarged for in
ITS pEssent limited condition the active service OF officers
and Is frequently demanded before is possible TO
qualify them properly with sufficient drilling
have thus frankly presenei my views OF the policy
and Importance OF enlarsng our naval force.
REORGANIZATION THE NAVY.
cannot withhold the expression OF my opinion that
the present oganiz OF the navy only essential
defective and wise, but is in its practical operation
working papabe and serious mischief to the efficiency
and character OF that branch OF the public service.
am not insensble to the fact that proposals for rsd
cal reform, however much suggested by the results OF
experience observation, or reflection often viewed
with dIsifus and doubt. rash innovations upon fam
lar and long established sysens-cung to, sometimes
with ienaciy and abandoned generally with reluctance
From sense Of justice TO the service and duty 10 the
government. venture to expose TO view Of those
defects and briefly recommend remedies by which, il
il hoped, they may be, 10 extent. removed This
subject has long attracted the attention OF those whose
occupation association has brought them in contact
with the navy, and il has recently won the con-
sdesllon OF Congress and the public, great soctude is
felt great hope 10 entertained, that the much re-
lief will be no longer delayed.
The great evil in our present system is that neither
merit, nor seaservice, nor gaany, capacity, bot
seniority Of commission requisites promotion md p1v
Tue gallant, chvslrous OF the navy feel subdued
dsprted discouraged their ardor - chilled the fire OF
their young ambition and PRIDE well nigh exiting
many leaving the TO which they have 40 long
expectaton OF reform. The officer who encounters oil
the penls oil the Deep the admiration OF the world
Tor his brilliant achievements, and makes his country
men prouder than OF The country returns to res,
awhile from bis tolls but TO feel mortified in seeing the
incident, the imbece, who have known no tolls and
true that the Executive has power some extent to
Interfere and exercise discretion pr,snoton but
20 fixed and we'll settled has been the almost uniform
course the organization Of the navy of promoting
according 10 seniority OF commission that the effort by any
Executive to devate from without the sanction OF aw
npu hn .xin hak as~ 81 II