Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-17
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Navy DEp I

n brief alnsions to the operations of the sovera
squGdrons during the past year have Venturet
also to suggest for consideration certain views touch
ing the Increase of the naval force the organization
of the navy, and the modification of the laws anc
regulations for its government from a conviction
that many practical reforms may be introduced pro
motive of discipline and efficiency.
soUApRoNs.
The home squadron, Commodore Newton, consists
of the flagship, the frigate Columbia, Commander
Pendergrast; the sloops-ofwar Albany, Commander
Gerry, and Cyanc, Commander Hollns; the steam
crs Fulton, Lieutenant Watson, and vixen, lately
commanded by Lieutenant Swartwout. Ihs latter
vessel was despatched in the month of May to Tam
pico on especial duty and on herreturn to Pensacoa
was put out of commission on account OF the app.ar
ance of yellow fever board; which, IN Its fatal
progress deprived the service OF many eTcG;iGh' OH
GERS and faithful So soon as she snail be tho
roughly dsinfected and pronounced IN a safe conoi-
ton she will be again put in commission, ana con-
tinue attached to the home squadron.
In January last the Fulton, under the temporary
command Of Lieutenant Alexander Murray, was
placed at the disposal of the late Hon. William H.
King, for the purpose of conveying HIM TO Havana
for the restoration of his health; after performing
which service, and after having her machinery re-
paired she again joined the squadron.
The steamer Saranac Captain j. c. Long, detailed
for duty in the home squadron, after having con-
viewed the Chevalier de Sodre late Brazilian charge
dafaires, to the seat OF his government joined the
squadron in February, and remained attached to it
until Jnly, when, requiring repairs, she was With
drawn and put out of commission
The vessels attached to this squadron have been
cruising chiefly in the Gull OF MEXICO ana among
the West India islands. Disturbances at San Juan
or Cfreytown threatening the property and rights
of American citizens, the Cyane Commander Holl-
ms was ordered to visit that port The presence OF
his ship had the desired effect The conduct OF
Commander Hollins evinced gallantry and Judgment
which entitled him to the commentator OF the de-
partnent The Albany relieved the Cyane, and re-
manned at San Juan until her services were deemed
no longer necessary
of the flagship Savannah, Commander Mercer which
sailed from Norfolk for hcraestnatiOn on the 18th of
September, and the soop-ofwar jamestown, Captain
Downing
The brig cambridge, Lieutenant Charles G. Hun
ter sailed from New York on the 4th November last
to Join this squadron, and on her arrival out, the
jamestown will return homo, by which time she
will have been absent from the United States nearly
three years.
The Germantown, Commander Lynch, also sailed
from Boston on the I'd December to join the squad
rom The store-ship Relief, lieutenant Hitchcock,
returned from Rio tho 10Th OF April last entering
the port of New York, and on the 10Th of July fol-
lowing was again sent out with stores for the squad
ron, under the command of Lieutenant y. B. Fairfax,
and temporarily forms part of it.
The steamer Water Witch, Lieutenant Thomas J.
Page which left Norfolk on the Sth Of February,
though attached to this squadron is not considered
as ono of the available vessels belonging to t-hav
after decree of the provisional director of the
Argentine confederation throwing open to naYiga-
ton the tributaries of the La Plata, been detailed for
the survey of the rivers Uruguay and Parana She
arrived out at Burenos Ayrcs on the 18th of May,
bat as detained from the execution OF her immedl
ate duties by the state of civil existing unhappi!y
between the different OF the Argentine
federation requiring her presence for the protection
of the interests of American citizens engaged i'll |
commerce, or resident in that region. When last |
heard from OH the Both of August Lieutenant Page |
expecting to set out immediately on the appoint
ed expedition.
Commander McKecVer was in command Of the
Brazil squadron the earlier part OF the year; and
having completed n cruise of three years active and
efficient service, he returned in his flagship, the
Congress Commander Pearson to the United States,
on the Goth of July. The records of the Navy and
State Departments furnish satisfactory evidence that
a portion of this squadron did good service in pro-
noting the interests of the government and protect
ing the rights of American citizens.
The African squadron, Commodore Mayo consists
of his flagship the Constitution, Commander Rudd;
the sloop Marion, Commander Purviance, and the
brig Perry, Lieutenant R. L. Page The Dale, Com
mander Whittc sailed from Boston Join this squad
ron the 18th October.
Commodore Lavalette returned from the command
of this squadron in his ag-ship, the sloop-ofwar
Germantown Commander Nicholas, on the Both of
March. The John Adams, Commander Barron, and
the brig cambridge, Commander John Manning
having been detached from this squadron reached
the United States, the former the 23d of July and
the latter on the Goth of August
Commander Lynch temporarily attached by
my predecessor to this squadron for reconnaissance
of the west coast of Africa for the purpose of ascer
tanning the localities aorng the greatest facilities
for penetrating the interior of the country. He re-
turned to the United States in May last His COM
TO the department, detailing the results
Of his reconnaissance, accompanies this report
The opinion has heretofore been frequently OK
pressed that there is necessity for squadron of
50 many guns the coast of Africa and that notice
should be given to Great Britain, under the terms of
The treaty regard to the suppression of the slave
rade so us to be relieved from its obligations The
that coast has of late years increased
80 greatly and American ships trading in that region
nave multiplied so much, that am satisfied that the
squadron is needed and is very effective in protect
ng our citizens, we'll as suppressing the slave
rade
The Mediterranean squadron, Commodore String
lam, consists of the flagship the frgate Cumberland
Commander Harwood; the sloops-of-war St Louis |
Commander Ingraham; and Leyant, Commander
turner, to which vessel he transferred from the
upon the return of Commander Colds
.orough to the United States to take command of
he Naval Academy.
The steamer San Jacnto Captain Crabbe formed |
ne OF the squadron; but in consequence Of the i'm
ertectlon OF her MISUNDERSTANDING her entirely
seiess as steamcr-she ordered home and ar
wed at Philadelphia the 9Th of July Her en-
ines have been condemned, and new machinery is
icing constructed for her. with which it is confident
expected she will prove an efficient cruising
teamer.
The steamer Saranac, Captain J. c. Long, left Nor
blk on the 18th of November, conveying the Hon
arroH Spence, our newly appointed minister resident
Gonstantinope, to his station. After having COM
lcted this duty, she will join the Mediterranean
1uadron
The vessels of this squadron have been oc+;veI,