The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-09

have not coudneo myself 10 the limits OF ns navy bat
have looked elsewhere beyond that boundary,
that the country might have the benefit Vi the highest
skill, wherever II might be found
Ia placing an estimate upon the value Of high
speed, the importance Of has not been highly
appreciated. OF two vesses-the equals Of aach
other IN every other tespeet-tLe one which has
the greatest speed has decisive aivautegs over the
other ana in contest 70 win tne m.stery.
The time has gone by when DO regarded IN any
other light than as the principal motive power on tie
water for warke Purposes. 1t impossible auy longer
TO regard the unsteady and uncertain power OF the wind
as awning more than an auxiliary power subordinate
DAHIGREN GUN AND STEAM
In the construction Of vessel everything connect
ed with has ultimate reference " single p1at-ths
use OF the gun, by which alone as the IN ans or IN rl
ment oil power Important results are u DO accomplish
10 place II ~ the presence Of the enemy or beyoal h'
reach ID the shortest possible time, and To use II with
the greatest possible effect, IS the great OBJECT To %
sought for IN the construction Of navy or tho minto
nance Of its auxiliary establishments. II Is TO attain this
object that the skill OF the departments OF ordnance o
construction and OF engineering taxed 10 tho utmost
la ihe inst place, have aimed ~ select and aioIt
the arm which combines the greatest strength range
accuracy and power. In the IAalgren gun W. have
found what want, and It is believed there no laa
any service that sufpasses In these qualities ia tue
Of it, by training corps Of skuI gunners, by
slant instruction, and by universal practice at SEA,
cordng TO the requirements OF the service nave
attained the greatest perfection CELEBRITY OF
and accuracy of sim Having these advantages in the gn
and its use, We have next cndeavorei that
del OF war vessel propelled by steam which wond
counter the least resistance 10 its passage through the
water ~heD Of course 80 lar tue form OF the
concerned the greatest speed will be attained And nuli
y a. side wheel are scarcely admissible for
hghRg purposes we have eneavored apply the power
OF steam 10 war proleiers in such give
vessel the greatest capacity OF rapid movement that
whether II be the object overke enemy 10 escape
from superior force, TO seek its safety any other
emergency may be abe exert its capacity for speed
TO the utmost extent while the other hand other times
II may use It's steam power very sparngy or not t
at ALL SO great the zeal OF those connected with this
branch Of tho pubic that feel assured they will
not rest satisfied until they have gwen to the service the
fastest war ship which skill ami science produce
TIKI NECESSITY OF INCREASING THE NAVY.
All our past experience has evnced the necessity Of
increase the navy II " impossible with our present
naval force, to give adequate protection
properly Of American c zeps ursuing IN If various avo
cations by Ian aud sen IN all Parts OF the world What
We especially need In slime OF peace larger
Der Of vessels capable OF entering the rivers and harbos
OF all foreign countries well Such is tn
condition Of Mexico and Of tile Central ana south American
States that II indispensaby necessary that should he
able TO approach them frequently ana al every accessible
puut. Ihete is other mode OF extending cllcctIaI
protection to American interests Ia that aay
other quarter Of the gobo where the existing 60
verneLts lack stab ity, for other causes DO
reled for perior of dut The
frequent presence Of ship Of war though not OF the
largest class exerts powerful Restraining aauence and
Will generally citizens from the Iucon OF gross
injustice There still other reasons for considerable
augmentation OF our naval force.
The commerce OF the United States has increased with
such unprecedented rapidly that We are already one Of
tho greatest commercial Powers o. the world Ere
quentng all and visiting all countries, it is vain
suppose that il be protected by few ships Of the
larger classes. The oDy mode OF dong is in effective
economical manner is give the navy greater Ell
cheney by multiplying the number Of smaller vessels Of
Light dTaught and powerful armament, capable OF follow
ing commerce into whatever waters frequent, and
OF which four or I'VE can be butt and maint aimed in
commission for the cost OF single frigate
ship Of the line. Twenty effective vessels Of the
smaller class can DO built and kept at
for what II would cost TO build aud keep al
four five vessels Of the larger class And when
this fact considered ia connection with another that well
aimed ships of this description traversrg the nigh seas,
visiting the ports Of remote nations displaying national
flag the representative OF great confederation Of free
States usually in time OF peace powerful for all
protective ana preventive purposes as any othcr white
they useful and formidable IN war; the argum mt be
comes irresistible for the employment Of much larger
number Of them.
This view does not yet exhaust the subject We have
an immense seacoast, udented by thousand harbors,
most Of them u great DEPTH which needs the constant
attention Of government both the Atlantic and Paclc
fhc waters OF the Gulf of Mexico and those
tguous TO it, the great highway Of the immense commerce
OF the Mississippi and that between Atlantic and Pa
cite possessions to be guarded, like Inland with
jealous care, and should DO made to swarm with these
floating forhcatons The United States should be pre-
and have predominating influence the Ameri
can continent and ia order TO maintain H. should have the
means causing their power to be felt al any point wher
and Whenever ~ might be necessary.
These great leading objects be accomplished by in
creasng the the navy; and they can,
great degree be accomplished 10 the mode pro oscd
without any considerable increase OF expenditure, Let
Congress the number Of heavy armed vessels
Of light draught until frequently display our dag
at every point where American Interests shall need us
protection, and the work will be already done.
TEN SKw WAR RECOMMENDED
exist, II we were not In the midst Of commercial and
financial enbarfassmcntsiI were IN our usual condi
ton of an abundant revenue and an overnowng treasury
should hesitate recommend that resort at
10 the general policy Of maintaining more powerful
navy, the ground that is required Tor defence AMI
will be necessary 10 maintain rights and the
honor and character OF the country Although Il may
be delayed, yet the time will sUon come when this
policy will be forced upon Us under circumstances d
great disadvantage not voluntarily adopted For the
present. however shall reluctantly content my sell with
nrgiLl the supply Of our Immediate and pressing wants
b. the construction Of larger number q war steamers
III the smaller classes authorized ny the act
Congress 81 the last session. The addition OF at least
ten vessels Of that description Of as great speei,
light draucht and powerful armament ~ their character
tonnage will permit Is not ony neces say measure,
but will be found TO be as efficient M any that can
be devised requiring 81 small Nh expenditure Of the pub
NroRrAScy oF THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
The Naval Academy at Annapolis, under its present
pcrnendcnt Captain George 3 Bake continues 10 give
marked evidence OF its great usefulness Fifteen acting
pmcn graduated Ia June last, and OF seventy SIX
candidates admission September, any SIX were found
qualified aud were admitted Toe number oi acting mid.
shinen attached TO tie academy Is one hunored and
eighty nine
me bard Of Oiccrs appointed 20 the annual
examination " the classes and report the condition of
the Academy speak lavoraby Of The police discipline and
general management Of the institution They concur 10
the accommodation previous bards that the standard
qualifications for the admission 81 candidates Dc raised,
or tnat preparatory study be provided, 80 as
10 bring them 10 more uniform degree of attAinnents
They recommend that acting midshpmen be required 70
bind themselves TO serve certain period after passing
Frcncn and Spanish be attached 10 ships foreign
stations that practice ship be permanently attached 20
the academy FOR the instruction Of N" acting mtship
men every encouragement ne held ou, TO induce
specially qualified by their professional attachments
and general good character TO engage and remain pcrma
ncntly Ia tits service.
To enable me 10 accomplish this latter object,
and TO transfer TO the Naval Observatory, where
they are much needed, the naval professors
OF mathematics employed at the academy, would
earnestly recon mend that authority be granted by Con
gress 60 navy has been done at West Point
Tor the aryorganzc CORPS u professors nj the scaic
my composed Of civilians, with such compensation as viii
the highest abilities Cor this most important ser
vice.
The sloop Of war rrcblc, under Commander Craven,
having been detailed prsctcc ship With view TO The
instruction Of the acting mishpmen At sea navigation
and seamanshp, sailed IRON Hampton Roads IN June last,
with ninety seven pupils on board. The ports Of Cher.
borg and Caz and the Island of Madeira, were visited
during cruise aud the ship returned 20 Norfolk IN sep
tombcr Commander Craven speaks In very iavofable
terms the and proficiency exhibited by the youths
under his command, and of the marked Improvement
they made during this short cruise IN the practical az
ties Of their profession His report Is herewith submitted
Icannot u invite attention 70 The very aats