Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-06-11
From the Washington Union.
The Navv Of TN. TJuffa1 SkofeS

had doubled in magnitude and in all the elements of
greatness during the last sixteen years. her arms of de-
fence had remained almost they at the commence
ment of this marvellous period of industrial expenson
Turning to our navy shall find the disparity between
Its effective force and the service required of it even
greater than in the of the army. We shall not en-
large upon the duties required of the navy They are
as universal as our American commerce They cover
every ocean and embrace every port and roadstead of
the commercial world While its duties are thus inf
nite let how dimnutive is the navy itself 1t is
an easy matter to enumerate every vessel that embra
ces and to count every gun that 1t carries We have
endeavored. from the best information within reach at
the moment, to make out statement of its vesselsof
war, and to append such remarks as will show the avail
able value for purposes of each and every one of
them
Sailing Vessels an Commission and Ordinarg
Pennsy yvania, 120 guns Columbus 80 guns Della
ware, "a guns North Carolina, "a guns Vermont "a
guns.
None of these fit for sea in their present state-
Each of them would have to be raced into 40 5Ogun
frgates. None of them have been to sea for years. e
cept the Ohio, during the Mexican war.
The Constitution, Potomac Brandywine, Columbia
Rartan, United States ST. Lawrence Congress- Sabine
and Santee.
These all 5Ogun frigates. The Constitution is
undergoing repairs, and to be raced to "a guns g.
inch and l0inch. The Potomac Brandywine Coum-
ba Rartan and the United States require large repairs
and only be made effective by being raced to soops
of twenty-four guns. The St. Lawrence is in commits
sion on the Brazil station and would avail very little in
active service The Congress is large fine vessel but
is at present dsmanted and repairing and cannot be
made Immediately effective for service The Santee and
Sabine are both frigaes of about 1000 tOns with
guns of 8-inch and 32pound caibre. They of the
old fashion, and by match for the English
vessels of modern build.
Cumberland, p, on the coast of Africa; Savannah
a. in the Gulf; Constellation, "a, in the Mediterranean
Macedonian, "a, ready for sea, at Boston
All these are large fine ships mounting very heavy
guns and of the class best calculated to do good
service in battle.
Saratoga, %, in ordinary; Germantown, %, in China
Portsmouth, o. on the return from China St. Marys,
%, in the Pacific.
These all irst-class vessels, large heavily armed
and capable of doing good service
Plymouth
This is an ordnance Ship and large, fine vessel.
Falmouth, 90 in Brazil ST. Louis, 20, in ordinary
Vandalia, 90 in the Pacific; Cyane 20, in ordinary
Levant, 20, in ordinary John Adams 20, in ordinary
Vncennes, 20, in the African squadron.
These are all old vessels built under the acts of "a
and 81 they have been largely repaired and by
means frst-casS ships.
Dale 16 on the African station Decatur l6 on the
Pacific Prebe l6, practice Ship Marion, l6 Africa.
These small, od-fashoned vessels not of the class
of ships required in modern service.
Brig Bainbridge 6, Africa Brig Perry, 6, Brazil );
Brig Dol phin 4, Gulf.
These are very inferior vessels, and would be almost
useless in active service.
+. cooper.
This vessel was bought for exploring service, and
would be of little avail for war purposes.
Steam Vessels.
Niagara, II, in England Roanoke, 49, repairing :;
Colorado 40 in the Gulf; Wabash, 40, in the Gull ;
Merrimac 40 in the Pacific Minnesota, 40 in China
Franklin, so, building Stevens, building Tor harbor
defence.
These are new steamers of the largest sze mounting
g. 9, and lO-nch guns. and would be full match for
any l00-gun ships in the English navy. They are all
Screw Propellers
| San Jacinto H. on the return from China.
This is very fine and effective screw steamer
Hartford, Richmond, Lancaster, Norfolk and Pensa-
COLA
These vessels, when afoat will form valuable add
tOn to the Navy being large steamers, averaging
! 1000 tons and heavily armed Il will, however, re-
qure several months to get them ready.
Despatch and Arctic.
These are small steamers were bought for the
coast service and hardly fit for war uses. Both are
| in the Gulf.
! Susquehanna, 15 in quarantine, New York Pow
haitian, g. in China; Mississippi, 10, in China; Sara
nae, 6, in the Pacific
These are fine and effective paddle steamers, and Ca
| pable of good service.
| Fulton, 5, in the Gulf; Michigan, l, in the Lakes.
Both of these good new ships-fast and effective.
Water Witch, in the Gulf-a very small paddle steam
5chn 5dnsafGsei Haneocf In ordinary San Francisco
Neither of these vessels are very effective The Mas
sachusetts transport vessel during the Mexican
war.
Release, Allegany
All of these receiving and store-shps and of
little avail as ships of
| Active Forco