The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-06

Territory and with Tie aid o. the coast survey steamer
Active Commander J. Alden, were pi great service ~
that distant and very spREseyss region The United
States steamer John Hancock also temporarily en-
ployed in this service under the command q lsasnAn
hi my opinion that the interests of our country would
be promoted and could be much better protested ~ ha
ing two Pacific squadrous instead Of one e. ~ present
and recommend that Us scon as sufficient number d
vessels can be assembled IN that Oceau this additional
squadron be established. Our commerce there has IN
creased rapidly and very large The States Of Cen
trail America growing daily In importance Their Pc
cuar position is causing them 10 attract the attention o.
the world The trade on me extensive soa. y s9uin
that full Of interest and then there are California
Washington, and Oregon The least rejecting mind viii
appreciate at the value OF this suggesuon which,
trust WILL long be contaminated as the nayy-yard az
Mare island California, viii soon assume It's position
among the most useful and complete yards in the country
The chief difficulty Of keeping permanently large number
of vessels in the Pacific will originate IN the impossiD
for few years. of procuring seamen that coast II
have recently however, transported full crew TO Aspin-
wall ia the frgae Wabash, and have made con-
tract very reasonable in It's terms for their passage across
the Isthmus and for the return OF the relieved crew
this experiment is found TO work we'll il win facilitate the
proposed plan very much and contribute largely 70 the
ability of the government to grotect our Pacific posses
sions.
in forests that coast with view TO ascertain its
ability to supply ship timber.
The expedition for the survey and reconnaissance Of
Bherings Straits the North Pacific ocean, and China seas
having completed its work. Commander John Rodgers who
had charge of IT. returned with the Vncennes New York
July b. The Fenimore Cooper was turned over 10 the
pavy-yard at Mare Island
DEEP-sEA Observation-Disclosures TELEGRAPH, ETC.
In addition the duties performed by the vessels of the
several squadons above set FORTH there others
cuted in progress Of execution possessing sufficient in
terest to be worthy Of place in this report
The interchangeable superintendent Of the Naval 0hserva
tory cot content with aiding and the untaugh
mariner by pointing out the safest and shortest tracks
the ocean friendly winds and currents may be found
nor vet with the contributions TO the intelligence of the
country resulting from observing the stars of the heavens
has time past thought it not visionary to urge
upon the public attention study, denominaed by
Baron Humboldt the physical Geography of the Sea-"
He had ALSO been so bold to insist that whenever sur
vsy could be made Of the bottom Of the between
Newfoundland and Ireland it would be ascertained that
suh were the moderate depths such the perfect repose
there absence of abradng disturbing currents that
toeap2c wires couia Do ia s salsy ana successfully 10
Lieutenant Brooke of the navy had invented most in
penious yet simple eonivance In connection with tho
shot used by which the moment touched the bed OF the
ocean II became detached and carefully took up specimens
of whatever it in contact WITH and brought them up
safely to the operator Many of our enterprsng country
men, very naturally DESTROYS OF seeing accomplished SO
grand undertaking. anxious that all doubts oil
praccaby should If possible be removed by actual OBJ
servaton and examination.
There was an act passed in ls49 giving authority the
Secretary ofhe Navy national vessels for Testing
new routes and perecting the discoveries made by Lieu
tenant aury in the Of his Investigations of the
winds aud cGrrents Of the ocean" confess felt some
pride In having the science and naval genius OF our own
country foremost in these great ocean surveys
and in lustra sng practcabty OF grand concep-
lion a. Harvesting the lightning end making It obedient
beneath the profound depths of the great sea which
dence has placed between the Old and the New World
There difficulty in finding competent officer.
Lieutenant Bergman OF large experience and established
reputation in deepea soundngs full Of that enteprsng
spirit characteristic Of American officers only
ready but earnestly socitous and eager be permitted 10
execute the task, assuring the department that with
few officers and very small crew. he could accomplish it
In few weeks without inconvenience the service. The
AZ
yard and pronounced suitable The order was issued and
Lieutenant Bergman, accompanied by Lieutenant Strain
Passed Midshipmen Mitchell ADD Thomas, Nidshipman
Barnes and few men, left New York the 18Th Of July,
crossed the ocean, and returned the l4h Of October
bringing with him abundant supplies Of curouS and inter
esng specimens from the bed OF the and at tho
time beautiful charts mapping out lis various depths
NJ distances Of thirty forty sixty and one hundred miles
In order make his soundings approximate accuracy
nearly As possible Lieutenant Bergman returned in the
same latitude and reexamined points where he had dou6
The length Of the route surveyed Is about 1900 miles the
greatest depth found 20TO ath0ms (about "a miles
the average however bsDF much less These charts and
specimens have been turned 10 the Naval Observatory
The Superintendent has already caused the specimens TO be
analyzed and In the hands u learned professor whose
report before they made 70 tell much Of tie char
acter and mysteries Ot that ooean-covered region ia
thinks the appearance Of the minerals Indicates that they
have been quietly deposited nom gentle currents and not
subsequently disturbed"
II 3 affirmed now that the Development Of tho survey
corroborate the suggestions Of scientific investigators and
establish the praccabiy Of laying wires successfully On
the bed II the sen
will leay, II 70 others sir 70 IN the veil Of tho future
and 70 picture 20 the mind u the curious and speculative
the influence to be exertcd by such event upon
and trade upon peate and war; and the relationship
Of nations.
These doep-soa soundnss-ths stuoy of the winds and
currents and temperature Of the oceapthoso gradual eP
proaches greater familiarity with the wonders Of the gea
deepare pregnant with inCaculabe usefulness 70 thos
who conduct mighty nGves well a. al who 60 down
20 the sea In ships"
Thus sir tho navy although small d contributing II
share 70 the defence and the reputation Of the cOuny. Or
he utpd
ports The reports from commanding officers show mum
berless unpublished o. relief 70 counymen o.
pressed in Islands aud ports whose governments have nc
rank among nations and are irresponsible
considerable number VI officers engaged In useful
Photographed duty In cOnBsxon with the coast survey
others are preparing charts Of The North Pacific and Bier
ings straits while Others 70 present with th
results OF explorations 81 rivers and hsrbors Of South
America.
ORDINANCES AND cUNuRY-PRAcucT-EmP.
know Of no part Of the service more entitled to The
liberal patronage Of the government an ordnance and
practical Punnery n the navy be- indeed the "right arm
Of defence e oen repeated Il may, with great force
be added that her guns end ordnance appliances the
main snews anG arteries the neglect Of which would
render feeble and pals,ed Our national ship nay at
tract admiration for the strength and beauty Of her model
and the graceful ease With which she gdeg the water
her men may be patterns Of discipline and her officers
the bravest and best yet All this viii avail nough in the
dread hour OF BATHS either Der guns rcuse 70 be faith
fu messenger managed BY those who are unaughi
in practical gunnery Americans adopts In the use Of
the rife and the musket from their boybood, and when
thrown into the hed matter how suddenly, they are
ekiIfu and their aim IL as fatal AZ that OF the train
ed soldier OF course the very different IN record
20 The management OF cannon, weighing thousands