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

during the years 1883 "a and 49, lost but fourteen
by disease and accident The Savannah, rgate with
Complement OF about 450 employed on the coast Of Brazil
reports but five deaths during thirty months between Ju
1888 and January 1856 though during this time fever
Of serious character prevailed at various parts Of the sta
don'
Thus that every incentive is held out to invite
and secure experienced seamen abundanuy Tor
home and foreign service .#.
have hesitation In stating-and the records and
returns will sustain the statemenhat there has been an
Improvement to Numbers and character STILL the won
deru increase Of commerce and demand for sailors, the
comparative shorness OF the cruises OF the merchant ma
rne and the very high price paid render II easy mat
ter to keep hand steady and sufficient supply for the
relief Of squadrons Such too are the wonderful atrac
ons presented by vast country and SO great the ac
ity with which peaceful and happy homes are procured
that the increase Of sailors has among our own citizens
especially not kept pace with the progress Of commerce
that occasionally the sailor has had cause
10 complain OF being detained abroad beyond the term
OF his enlistment although oneourth additional compen-
saon is allowed for that period Of detention. Every
effort has been made since the return OF the japan eNped
ton to this of complaint Had the rule
been applied strictly to that squadron the great purposes
for which 1t formed would inevitably have been post
poned and perhaps defeated forever. National vessels
have only been detained by high considerations Of public
good and then it painful to the department
noying to the sailor. II has not BEEN and Is not now
the policy the practice of this department TO de-
tain seamen on foreign stations indefinitely until they
could be relieved On the contrary, numerous vessels
have been ordered home from distant stations before
their reliefs sent The Cumberland, the gshlp
OF the Mediterranean squadron the Levant and the ST.
Louis of the station all returned before their re-
lies had gone out The Savannah, the flagship Of the
Brazil squadron just returned was ordered home IN july
last but by accident irreguarity of the ranspor
aon OF the mails the orders were not received until Octo
ber Her relief the St Lawrence, only left the United
States on the 18th day Of October The Germantown of
squadron has been ordered home without being
relieved The terms Of the enlistment OF the crew OF the
ST Mary's Of the Pacific squadron have nearly all ex
pred but had the department ordered her home from "a
mama | have positive assurance that the consequences
would have been fatal TO the lives and property OF the
thousands Of countrymen passing over that ronte
Such, however was the anxiety OF the department TO re-
eve the and officers Of that ship, that officers and
have been in the steamer Wabash to Aspnwall
and arrangements have been effected with the railroad
company that the present officers and men OF the ST.
Marys will reach their homes in the United States without
the delay and exposure of voyage around Cape Horn.
am however, of opinion that the term OF our cruises too
long, and that should be reduced to two instead Of
three and have determined and directed that 1t shall
constitute part OF the calling instructions TO command
ersnchef of the squadrons that they shall that when
the of enlistment OF the majority OF the crew OF
vessel attached their squadron about expiring that IT
shall return 10 the United States in due time for the dis
charge of the seamen and that this rule shall be de-
waited FROM except In an emergency involving the honor
of the a by the special orders of the department
But confess look 10 the fostering Of The apprentice
system and its gradual enlargement the surest OF
making radical Improvement of this branch Of the service
and the only mode OF incorporating into the corps Of
seamen fair proportion of our otcn conntrymea.
There enlisted and in the service, several hun
bred boys all bora the United STATES and nearly the whole
them active the various squadrOns
Since the department has introduced the system its chief
difficulty has been in procuring enlistments but in
resisting opportunities 10 be permitted to ensa point TO
be well guarded lest the system be crushed by its own
weight before sufficiently perfected by experience
Their moral, intellectual and professional training
ceive earnest attention. and gaed TO be sustained
in the effort by the officers of the navy all of whom mani
fest deep interest in tbs of the undertaking.
While admit that the chief and indeed paramount
sderaou in admitting apprentices is TO make American
sailors incline 10 the opinion that might encourage the
q. 1pn.v tbaD ha1a
appoint annually ten Of the most merorous midshpmen
and pupils the Naval Academy advise therefore the
passage of law giving this authority.
deem il my duty call your attention TO the fact that
there are al several vacancies in some the grades
Of the navy occasioned by deaths and resgnaons Sew
cral Of them occurred than elk months ago / am
not unmndful Of the considerations which have for this
period prompted suspension Of executive action. The
Interests OF the service however induce to advise that
they be filed at the earliest day practicable either by pro-
motions in the usual way by nominating for restoration
10 the active list any reserved or dropped officer who may
now be adjudged by you worthy or and entitled to,
your interpretation have heretofore said that could
recommend The adoption Of any Of repeal, or
any course Of proceeding in conflict with the general
ton Of the board
But also said then and repeat now ~ the sword Of
any Of those gallant has been incautousy taken
from him, all rgh-minded win say, let his country
II to him with all the holors and reparaon due to
injured merit"
There are three vacancies In the grade Of captain and
fourteen In the grade Of lieutenant.
The reports Of the chiefs Of the several bereaus viii ad
wise you very fully OF the condition OF that portion Of the
public service respectively assigned 10 their special super
vision They present many useful suggestions and eater
much into details many interesting subjects which
be conveniently discussed and condensed in the Sece
tarys annual report The duties Of the Chief Of the Blu
OF Yards and Docks have become very and
gradually enlarged In consequence Of The increased work
and extended operations In the navyyard Much pro-
gress has been made toward completing the nayyyard In
California. The dock basin, and railway finished.
The report Of Commodore Smith very elaborate full OF
interesting details and suggestions and discoses with
clearness the condition Of the works under his charge
The report from the Ordnance Bureau exhibits sRtsac-
tory condition Of that part OF the service IN the
recommendations made particularly those In regard 10
the Naval Academy, and the policy Of abundant sup
| ply OF powder 10 meet any emergency.
Many very useful reforms have been accomplished
through new regulations made BY the head Of the Burssu
Of Provisions and Clothing His suggestions In favor Of a
small corps Of assistant purser with moderate eompeusa-
ton entitled 70 confederation u has always been the
practice Originating In necessity 70 send sOrehps and
vessels special service 70 sea without purser Then
the Officer IL command performs the duty Of purser Ia ad-
don 70 bis military duty. Not being accountant he
often although perfectly honest finds az the Auditors
Office large balance against him. aHd must sacrifice bis
bard earnings 70 pay u or be reported and dsgraeed
deauter.
The report from the Bureau Of Construction exhibits,
very fully the condition Of national vessela The poll
icy Ia favor Of small annual appropriation for keeping
the yards supplied with shipmber r. unquestionaby,
sound.
Attention i invited to the report from the Bureau Of
Medicine and Surgery think action should be taken 10
restore The hospital fund the value Of the land recently
conveyed the Treasury Department for tho purposes Of
marine hospital The fund by which this land pur-
chased raised By small contributions In the nature Of
deductions from ths pay Of the sailors and can hardly BE
appropriated 10 other purposes with justice.
While AN much opposed 10 multiplying bureaus and
officers cannot allow that feeling 10 restrain from
recommending the creation Of additional Office which