Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-08
NUMBER u.


Secretary of the Navy, viii be read with interest
by the friends of our navy. II abounds with inte-
resting facts and important suggestions. We have
room only for the following abstract
The report recommends an additional but grad
ual increase Of the navy its reorganization and
the enactment Of new regulations for the discip-
line and Improvement of seamen.
The movements of the various squadrons are re-
ported In detail The sloop-ofwar Albany, last
heard from at Aspinwall on 28th September when
she left for New York. Painful anxiety is felt
touching her fate. The steamer Princeton was
sent in search Of her several days Since
Lieut.. Strain and party are complimented for en-
terprisc and exhibition of powers Of endurance and
generous devotion to duty in the exploration Of
| the Darien ship canal route
The result Of the expedition Ia, according to
Lieutenant Strains report that the proposed canal
is totally mpracticable, and this the Secretary ap-
prchends settles the question forever.
The bombardment Of Greytown by the sloop Of
war Cyane is narrated, and the Secretary remarks
that q he could not rcprovc Commander Holllns for
his conduct. Humanity often lends her sympathy
TO the sufferer, however just the punishment but
patriotism rarely condemns the brave officer who
administers that punishment, from sense Of JUS
tice to his countrymen, whose property has been
destroyed, and whose nationsl Dag has been In
sulted.n
Commodore Perry Is hisGs complimentsd for
his success in Japan. @
On the increase Of the Navy the Secretary says
he "is far from the opinion that the enlargement
Of our navy should stop with the act3on of last
Congress. The protection of our cnmmercp; the
guarding our extended coast; the prdl lo0 OF
our rank as nation, demand that We 51xefd not
be entirely stationary, and with inactive indiffer-
ence behold the progress of other powers in naval
strength. Even with the additional unfinished
steam ffigates our naval force will not exceed fifty
vessels in condition for service. Weakness invites
aggression, and never inspires respect, while ac-
knowledgcd strength and visible preparations COM
mand consideration and are the true safeguards of
peace" The necessity and proprety of an aug
mentcd navy Is eloquenty argued at considerable
length, and the objections thereto answered.
The Secretary does not propose to increase the
number Of officers nor materially enlarge the squad
rons and thereby largely increase the current ex-
penses, nor have navy of the immense size and
extent of some of the nayies Of European Powers,
but to increase the material Of our navy 80 as at
least to approximate to state Of readiness for emer
gencies, which wise statesmen strive to avoid but
wiser statesmen prepare to meet. II will be the
Secretarys pleasure to cooperate with the legsa-
tive department Of the government in practically
carrying out these views
The Secretary renews hi1 roc0n1mendations of
last year for the rc0rganization Of The navy; the
creation Of retired list for infrm officers the dis
charge of the Inefficient and to have promotions
regulated by capacity and merit, In some degree,
instead of by seniority of commission and pay, to
some extent controlled by sea service. a.
So far as he has authority these views win guide
his action even without Legislation. He says:
/" l cannot recommend for promotion to higher
rank and pay officers who do not merit It, from In
capacity, either moral physical. do not appre-
cate the justice or policy Of promoting to higher
grade officer who cannot perform its duties, un-
less in rare exceptional cases, as complimentary
reward for services rendered 1t is neither more
nor less than elevating the Incompetent and then
ordering the unpromoted competent to do their
work. sr
The objections against the proposed reform are
ably considered. lie says much is still to be done
to give proper shape, origin vgor, character, and
success to system of discipline in naval service.
He Is far from recommending the restoration of
fogging. The experience Of the navy justifes its
| abrogation. There Is, however, urgent necessity
for some substitute, accompanied with plan Of
reward well as punishment--a substitute which
would be prompt and sure-in order TO restrain
the offender and deter the inconsiderate; TO re-
ward equally sure, the generous; TO encourage
fidelity, and promote respectabity., II is not the
severity, but the certainty and promptness Of pun
shment which promote discipline. He recon-
mends that the commander Of any vessel be au-
thorizcd by law to order summary courtmartal
for the trial ofpetty officers and those below them
that they have power TO punish by dishonorabls
discharge in any port or by confinement on re-
duced rations, and without pay, with extra labor
and denial Of shore privileges.
He renews his recommendations of last year Of
the plan to induce seamen to become permanently
attached to the navy, by granting conditional leave
OF absence at the end of cruise and increased
pay on re-enstment Il Is the Secretary's pur-
pose 10 Immediately adopt In modified form the
apprentice system, and encourage the enlistment
Of American boys from fourteen until twenty-one
years Of age; to train them first on receiving
ship, then cruisers, in practical scsmanship. He
il clearly of the opinion also that the number Of
twenty-five hundred. The number Of the marine
corps Is deemed entirely too small, and an indef-
ntey-stated increase is earnestly recommended.
The corps would be improved and elevated In
character by adopting some system Of appointing
officers Of military education and training.
A marine basin and railway at the Gan Francisco
navy yard is recommended.
Prof Maury's achievements in developing his
theory OF winds and currents and his preparation
Of charts noticed most fatteringy. 1t s eeti-
mated that the saving to our commerce by tho use
Of his charts would amount TO several millions per
annum-
Robert L. steyenss iron war steamer, shot and
shell proof for bsrbor defence, is rapidly progress
ing The boilers viii be ready to put on board in
about three weeks.
OF the Naval Academy at Annopolis, the secre-
tary aays:
"The Naval Academy has, during the past year,
continued 70 present 70 the country practical evil
dence Of the wisdom and foresight Of lie protector.
Under the vigilant superintendence Of Commander
Goldsborough and bis worthy assistants the stricest
discipline has been enforced, 70 the marked benefit
Of this institution.
"The plan Of education is now thorough, and
the training Of the youth admirable. The cruise in
the Practice Ship Is Of immcasurable advantage in
imparting at an carly age practical knowledge Of
scamansbip. During the last summer the Preble,
with thirty-one young Midshipmen, visited Ports.
mouth and Plymouth, in England, and Brest and
Cberbourg in France, thereby afEording them an
opportunity Of examining the naval establishments
at those points.
The contract has been made for the erection
Of a machine shop at Annapolis under the act Of
Congress authorizing il and I shall avail myself Of
the first opportunity when the service will permit,
TO substitute steamer for the sloop now used as
practice ship. The number Of students now at
the academy "a one hundred and sixty. Attention
Is called to the report Of the chief Of the bureau Of