The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-04-03
THE DAILY DISPATCH


TUESDAY NG,...........APklL ), 1885,
t,oSp,r,os OF THE AMERICAN NAVY IN
v,xw OF Wharf.-The possibility of q rup
lure with Spain. and those great naval pow
era of Europe, England and France, whose
protectorate Is believed to be thrown over
The island of Cubs, render the condition OF
our Navy one OF the most interesting of all
subjects to the American people. For such
A war must be conducted principally on the
arena of the great deep, or at all events
may be confined to that arena, and NOS per-
mitted to disturb the quiet of our own soil. If
the Navy of the country isproperly prepared
for the gigantic contest. <s
The Navy is Justly dear to our countrymen
for its achievements in the last war with
England. and. had there been no improve
mepts in naval warfare, we could again be-
hold with hope and confidence our few ships
going forth to contend against the most tre-
mendous odds. We have seamen as brave
and skilful as those who once humbled the
pride of the mistress of the seas upon her
favorite element and tired of long inaction
and eager for an opportunity of distinction,
they are painting for the hour when they shall
be able to show the world that the trace of
noble bloods' in the American naval service
has not deteriorated and that they are quite
as capable of deeds of lofty daring as the
world renowned heroes of 1912. But, in
view of the improvements which have been
adopted in the naval services of other coun-
tries, and which have changed the whole
character of naval warfare it would be alb
solute cruelty to our gallant tars, and inevi
table dishonor to the nation, to send our
ships. 10 their present condition, to contend
for the mastery of the seas. England, France
and even Spain, have adopted steam in their
service the former to such sa extent that we
scarcely hear of such a thing as sailing
vessel in any of their magnificent squadrons
on the Baltic or Black Seas. Heavy line OF
battle ships, frigates. sloops and gun boats.
all moved by steam, constitute the working
naval force of France and England. Their
line of battle ships, thus propelled, can carry
100 guys, HOO men, and move at the rate Oh
IL miles an hour What have we to oppose
~ cuSI4 osuc 3NotbLAlS' AuO SieaL OtAllA Vi
our Navy is composed of sailing vessels, and
the largest sailing vessel we have would, in
q naval contest, be at the mercy OF the .
smallest steam vessel of the enemy 1t is a j..
fact which the government of the United
States ought to bear in mind, and which a .
proud and jealous people will hold it to a =,
strict account if it forgets, that little gun:
boat carrying but one gun SAY y pounder) :
moved by steam, could utterly annihilate a :.
line of battle ship as immense as the Penn
sylvania, if she were without steam. The
gun.boat could choose her distance, and
keeping out of the range of the guns now
employed on our line of battle ships, could,
with gun which throws nearly a. mile be-
yond those of the three decker, sink her in
half an hour after an engagement COM
menced.
Happily, the remedy is obvious and with in
the reach of our Navy Department, if it
possesses ordinary sagaeity and enterpr Use.
Let steam be at once and universally ad opt
ed in our service. Propellers can be dded
to our existing ships, with but trifing a. terra
ton. The expense for fuel will be lg hit, it
being only necessary to use the machir cry in
cases of actual emergency. We trr st the
press will everywhere invoke the att .ention
OF the Government TO this subject 1t is due
to the Navy, whose high reputation ought
not to be sacrificed by being comp' ,lled to
use sails against stem; and it is du' to the
honor, interest s,ld safety of the cou ntry, for
without an Efficient Navy, our comm cree will
DE SWEEP. from the seas, our ships war be-
caprlred wherever they are met and thee
ocean, thus cleared of all obs tacles, present
highway by which England and France
can transport hostile armies to our OWE
shores, as easily and in as immense nambers
as they now sead them to the Crimea.
|
ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN.-The Wash
ington Union, some days since, in an article
on our difficulties with Spain, expressed the
oninion that, if those difficulties could not
be peacefully adjusted, it was reasonable 10
calculate that Spain would be backed and
sustained in any conflict with us by England
and France In its issue of Sunday it has
7 long article on the same subject, in which its
previous opinion is confirmed by the follow
ing extract from a British tory organ, the
London Standard
The chief dissimariiy In the two cases Is, that
the phibusteriIg expedition is supposed 10 be in
dependent OF the American government; but IL is
most absurd 70 pretend that 1t is really or that the
latter could not prsreRt the sailing Of armed
feet from their harbOrs. We do no, think that Eng
Land has sufficient interest in the matter to Justify
an armed interference but our ally may imagine