Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10


the ocean, as well for purposes Of of commerce
Inc improved system of propeers instead OF side
wheels is one Of the grand desderata to render the use
OF steam effective In naval warfare the being exposed
10 the shot OF the enemy the other submerged and COM
paratiyey secure When the bayonet added to the
usket the invention applauded for placing In the
hands OF the soldier at time two engines Of desue
on and the introduction of the propeller has been
similarly appreciated combining without confusion
two elements Of progress the sail and the steamengne
Sdewheel steamers much impaired in their capacity
for sailing and too much coal for distant cruises
Those hand can be made to well for short
cruises and dispatch vessels The propeller be-
ing upon principle not much interfering with the
sailing capacity with the improved models of the pre-
sent day, be constructed to sail as well as the
best clipper ships and reserve the Of steam for
gencres when greatest speed is required, when in a
calm desirable position can be the more promptly and
surely taken The great necessary expense incident to
the expedition to Japan could have been materially in
deed oneha curtaed had it been in the power Of the
department TO have supplied the squadron with
propelers instead of the side wheel steamers now costing
30 much from the consumption of coal.
recommend, therefore, that the Department be au-
thorzed TO have constructed at least six
rgate propeers The opinion entertained that that
number may be built in several yards in addition to
the work now going and the repairs usually needed
on the return of vessels from long cruises 1t is esma
ed that they will between four and five millions of
dollars, and can be built in about twenty months With
the exception of deficiency in the supply of white
oak and yelow-pne, which be without much diff
Guilty procured have hand at the various yards
ample material to accomplish what is recommended. 1t
will be perceived referring the estimates of the
bureau OF Construction &C., that estimate is made of
the entire cosof the without purchasing any ma
teria and of the probable which would be
pended during the fiscal year without regard great
dispatch This done in order that the subject might
be understood properly and that such action might be
taken appeared wses AS it is deemed desirable to
make this addition to naval forces early pract
cable in consideration of the number Of vessels which
will be unfit for service and worth repairing and
ms is important to retain hand for emergency
sonabe supply of building material, suggest
the policy Of making the appropriation at early day.
enable the Department build them with dispatch and
purchase supply of material not to diminish the
amount on hand
There two frigaesthe Santee at Kittery and the
Sabine, at New York-whch have been on the stocks
since 1919 They be altered and made to conform
to modern improvements and be useful substitutes
for two frgates of the class withdrawn worth
less recommend that they be thus reconstructed and
launched Estimates OF the cost will be furnished should
the suggestion be adopted The old shipo thene the
Franklin is being repaired Kttery, and her model
much changed with view OF converting her into first
class steam-frigate.
Should these recommendations be adopted, our naval
force will be materially strengthened by the addition of
two frstclass sailing frgates and of frstclass
steam frigates, capable Of mounting fifty guns each,
there being steamer at present Of than guns
My opinion is that it would be sound policy dispose
of such vessels deemed unfit for service vessels
of
cannot allow this occasion pass without an auson
to the repeated failures in steamships to fulfil
the public expectation. deemed it my duty to order
searching investigation into the of these deplor
Die disasters and appointed board OF three engineers
and one constructor to inquire and report the Depart
men the of the failures the parties who were
responsible Their report is file in the Department
which may profit from the facts which it discoses.
Although have endeavored to throw around recent
contracts safeguards by reservng the payment of
half OF the contract price until the work is completed and
successfully tested which trust may insure good results
unhestatingly renew the recommendation heretofore
made OF the Importance Of establish ing machneshops
several nayyyards on the Atlantic and at San Francis
CO. on the Pacific coast for the construction and repair
OF machinery for Recent occurrences
have multiplied cogent arguments in favor of that policy
With the exception of limited arrangements the Wash
ington yard the Government is entirely dependant
upon private contracts The yard at New York is re-
garded large and useful and well adapted it's plans
for purposes Of naval Yet the
Princeton returned from her cruise the fishing grounds
to be repaired merely she had to leave the for
private establishment The Government avail it
self when necessary of the skill of private establishments
but it is submitted whether it is not wise to have few
machine shops in which the supervision and judgment of
its superintendent may be exercised material
workmanship, and time.
1t is submitted ALSO that is important that the De-
partment be authorized when expeden to increase the
enlistment Of from the present number of 1900 to
10000.
The suggestions Of the Bureau Of Medicine and Sur
gerry the propriety of increasing the number of the
medical corps of the navy commended to favorable
consideration.
The recommendations in the report from the command
of the marine entitled to consideration For
service in emergency shore, the Importance of this
corps cannot be too highly appreciated. The improve
ment Of the barracks at the several stations specified in
the report the increase of the corps the policy of adopt
ing plan for securing the services of officers educa
ted and disciplined the officers of the army and navy
subjects deserving attention.
This corps has been found faithful and useful
clearly Of opinion that it should be enlarged for in
its present limited condition the active service of officers
and is frequently demanded before it is possible to
qualify them properly with sufficient drilling.
have thus frankly presented my views of the policy
and Importance Of enarging naval force.
REORGANIZATION OF THE NAVY.
cannot withhold the expression Of my opinion that
the present organization Of the navy only
tally defective and unwise but is in its practical opera
ton working papable and serious mischief the efcien
cy and character OF that branch Of the public service
not insensibe to the fact that proposals for radi
cal REFORM however much suggested by the results of
experience observation, reflection, often viewed
with dstrust and doubt rash innovations upon fami
liar and longestablished sysems-clung to- sometimes
with enacty and abandoned generally with reluctance
From Of justice to the service and duty to the
Government, venture to expose to view of those
hoped, they may be to extent removed. This sub
ect has long attracted the attention of those whose
patton association has brought them in contact with
the navy, and, it has recently the oonsidera
ton Of Congress and the public great socitude Is felt
great hope is entertained that the much needed relief
will be no longer delayed.
The great evil in present system is that neither
seniority Of regulates promotion and pay
The gallant chivarous Of the navy feel subdued
dispirited discouraged their ardor is chilled the fire of
their young ambition and pride is we-nigh extinguish
ed many leaving the service to which they have so
long fondy cung many remain only because Of the che