The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-17
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.

The following letter addressed by the Secretary OF the
Navy 10 the chairman Of the Naval Committee in the
House Of Representatives regard the specific increase
OF the navy desired by him. win be read with interest
NAVY DErAxrnrSr, Dee %, is5a
SIN have the honor acknowledge the receipt OF yonr
Of the 18th inst in which, referring the
Recommendation Ia annual report for further increase OF
the navy, you that sthe Committee Naval Affairs
the House Of Representatives have had said
under consideration, and have instructed (you)
quest you lme) 10 lay before the committee,
venen specific Of increase which you I'd
have to propose.
And further, that the committee desire know especial
~ what number of vessels you desire shall be
red to be constructed of what size and description and the
which ID based tmy) proposition.
With the six fgates ordered the last session tbs
Franklin, the Sabine and the Szntee added the
force, strength in that powerful class Of will
very materially increased.
Five of the modelled by the construc
whose genius practically illustrated in the Susquehanna
the Constellation the Macedonian, the Germantown the
Dale and the Preble and other vessels which
ing the service They being built under the personal
pernendence Of competent naval of established
reputation The sixth and being constructed by
builder in New York and although she win carry
fewer gums, they will be of the heaviest calibre.
The i've steam gaes, we'll the Sanee, Sabine,
Franklin, much improved by the skful in
charge Of them each battery of fifty guns which
the department designs shall be Of the largest csbre and
most approved plan.
Vessels Of this formidable cbara however
araugh and require depth of Of than twenty
feet. We have important harbors along the
which they could enter either for defence refuge.
They could pass the bars Of Charleston Savannah
Mobile, New Orleans, and other important points, both
North and South The experience Of other nations and
cent warfare demonstrate the great value
snd indeed emergencies the superior
gcs of wel armed vessels Of hght drauyh We have
band the different ards frames for oops
ofwar Of welseascned timber. recommend that Congress
authorize the construction Of
less than eighteen feet draught of propose that
they carry armament each Of about twenty twenty
two guns of heavy calibre.
Ny opinion that the advantages great
Justify the pocr Of making them soops, although
far from abandoning the sailing vessel These viii be
formidable especially when bearing the heavy
posed Their win be about oneha Of the number
ofseam-frigates
any suppose this is large increase, allow say
chat advised BY the chief of the Bureau
tom &c, that about the number will, from the decay
incident age have TO be dropped from the br
time those proposed can be completed
II may be asked by whether this is considered
sucient increase and whether propose suggest
Their addition the number Of ships The suggest
regular gradual steady increase and the
step of replacing in the yards rapidly possible the
timber used building the rgates and proposed oops
The chief Of the Bureau of Construction win estimate when
desired for the H Of the vessels embracing timber
for the frames the appropriation made, then
will be instructed to build themuse the timber
hand and with the unexpended fund replace rapid
~ possible the supply of timber Thus be building
and replacing the timber used and be in of readiness
for prompt and continued The should
never be without supply Of timber.
am, very respectfully. your obedient servant,
J. c. DOBBIN
Hon. THOMAS s. BococK Chairman Of the Committee on
Naval Affairs, House Of Representatives.