Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-12-20

at last aOVceS.
The East India Squadron, Commodore Armstrong,
is composed of the flag ship, the San Jacinto, Com
mander Bell, the sloop of war Levant and Ports
mouth. The operations of the squadron are uninte-
resting.
The Pacific Squadron, Commodore Mervine, con-
and the sloops of war John Adams, St. Marys Deca-
tur, and the steamer Massachusetts,. The Secretary
regrets that Commodore Mervine failed to make
personal examination of the supposed guano islands,
and recommends that another small steamer be sent
to visit the islands Reference is made to the protec
ton of citizens at Panama by vessels of this squa
dron An additional Pacific squadron is recommend
ed. Our growing commerce and the increasing i'm
portance of the Central American States renders it
polite to double our Pacific 50 uadron soon YES
sells can be assembled in that ocean.
The Behring's Strait Expedition having completed
its work, has returned.
DEEP SEA soUNDINGs.
A large portion of the report is devoted to the
survey which has been made Of the bottom of the
sea- and the scientific discoveries in this explora
ton of the great deep will be found deeply interest
ing. Specimens have been produced from the bed
of the ocean, and beautiful charts made mapping
out its depths at distances of thirty, forty, sixty and
one hundred fathoms. The greatest depth obtained
was two thousand and seventy fathoms-two and
half mills.
ORDNANCE GUNNERY.
Under this head tie Secretary recommends the
Enlistment of practice ship in which gLnnery
alone shall he taught. Great attention is now paid
to practice at sea; but men should be able to
the guns before the vessel leaves FER moorings Con-
siderable space is devoted to ordnance and the va.
rious improvements considered.
NEW FRIGATEs-PRoPosED ADDITIONAL sLooPs.
The great beauty and superiority Of the new
steam frigates alluded to with much pride, and
the Secretary says their introduction constitutes
new era in the history Of the United States Navy.
He repeats his recommendation of last year about
the building of several additional sloops of war; ca.
pable, from their small draft of water, of entering
such ports as New Orleans Savannah and Charleston
as we'll as New York and Boston. A formidable
battery of form to 20 guns would render them very
effective. They could annoy the enemy at sea and
penetrate and defend harbors along the coast in
accessible to the larger class of heavier draft. He
remarks that the passage Of the bill for the
structon of ten soops of will be but little very
little actual increase, as may old vessels are now
necessarily to be laid up as worthy Of repair.
sEAMEN.
The subject Of the enlistment and the good faith
of the government towards the sailors is elaborated
at leng and the policy Of the department defended
and explained This however, is of no interest to
the general reader.
MISCELLANEOUS.
There are three vacancies in the grade of captain
and fourteen in that of lieutenant of which &C.
Cured several months since. Mr.. Dobbin is not un-
mindful of the causes which prompted a suspension
of executive action, but the interests of the service
require that they should be filled either by promo
lions in the regular way by nominating for restora
ton to the active list of the reserved or dropped
| officers
The reports Of the bureaus present many useful
| suggestions. Much progress has been made in CON-
pletng the navy yard at California The dock basin
| and railway finished. Concurs in the recon-
mendaton of the chief Of the ordnance bureau to
tho policy of keeping abundant supply of powder
on land to meet any emergency; is in favor of a
small corps of assistant pursers with moderate
pensaton considers the policy of small annual ap-
preparation for keeping the yards supplied with ship
timber sound recommends the restoration to the
hospital fund of the value of the land conveyed to
the treasury department Tor the purposes of the
| Marine Hospital at Chelsea recommends the CT, q
| ton of an additional office in the Navy Department
for the management of all matters connected with
courts martial and courts of inquiry, and the ap-
| pointing of Judge Advocate for the department.
The Nautical Almanac is required by law to be
under the charge of officer of the Navy not be-
! low the grade OF lieutenant Commander Davis, who
was peculiarly fitted for it, having been ordered to
sea, the Nautical Almanac" has been place tempo
| rariy under the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
photography. The Secretary recommends that the
law be modified, in order that the Executive may be
authorized at his discretion to place the Nautical
| Almanac" uuder charge of one Of the Naval Profos.
sors of Mathematics
The Naval Academy continues to prosper, and de-
| monstrates its usefulness The Secretary recon-
mcnds that, iu addition to the Naval Board of Ex-
aminers, Board OF Visitors, composed of civilians,
| be appointed.
The Naval Observatory is sustaining its high repu.
| tutation.
Mr.. Dobbn rcnews expressions of opinion of the
usefulness Of the Marine Corps, and continues to
recommend its largement, and the adoption of some
plan of appointing to it officers of military educa.
| ton.
The law directing notice to be given to E. T. Col
Inns and associates, in reference to compensation for
no hnfrr Vorlro I
| has been executed.
The Secretary recommends an increase of pay
to some of the grades of Navy Officers. Not named.
The following are the estimates for the navy and
marine corps for 1857 3: So 979 O5. Expendii.
lures during the years 1857 g, $s,4a7 93697. In
| addition, there Mas the sum of 81, 641 l72 OF ex-
pended for special Objects including transportation Of
mail in steamers; for the same purposes in 1857 g,
only S., 595, 044 % is estimated.