The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-10-29
Naval Defcnces of England.

The subject of 8 deficiency OF seamen con-
tinues to be discussed in sundry English jour-
mails which appear 10 consider themselves as
literally sentinels on the watch-towers, and to
be continually on the lookout for French in
yasion. Notwithst landing the systematic efforts
10 organize large volunteer force for coast de-
fence, there seems 10 be profound conviction
that the real security of England consists
IN her naval power. 1t is shown that, on more
than one occasion, England has been in great
peril frs N the absence of an adeq uate 50 uad-
ron in the channel, and that even the presence
of such a squadron is not an infallibls safe
guard against the possibility Of q foreign de-
scent upon the coast.
ALISON, in his History of Europe, ehrcni-
Giles an instance Of peril TO Great Britain,
which ought TO have impressed lesson of
eternal vigilance indeilibly upon her mind
In 1850, England was brought 10 the verge of
Il war with France and Russia united, in con.
sequence Of Differences on the Greek questi
and at that time shy no efforts could I've sail
of-the-line, adequately manned, have been COL
lected in the channel to protect the British
shores from invasion. On the other hand, the
Russians had twenty-five sail Of the. lire, con-
stantly manned ard equipped, in the Baltic,
and fifteen in the Euxine, and France had
nfty-three thousand men ready 10 man twenty
aaii-of- the line, and as many frgates and war
steamers TO join in the crusade. And the dam
ger was averted by 70 other means but aban.
donment by Great Britain of the pretensions
she had in so needless a manner advanced"
EVERYBODY in England has plan for remedy
Ing the deficiency of seamen, and government
has preferred the lures of bounties, increased
pay, and pensions; but still, possessing the
jfab of
mercantile marine, men enough cannot be
obtained TO supply the navy. The extraordi-
nary exigencies and varied demands OF British
commerce seem to have absorbed the seafariag
population, Notwithstanding the greatly SUI
perior condition of tie man-of-war's- to
that Of the generality of merchant seamer.-
The order, regularity and cleanliness of a
1nan.of-war promote in the highest degree the
physical well-being OF seamen, whilst they
have contingent and prospective benefits of
fnrlough, with continued pay, and hospitals
and pensions. The merchant service however
gives higher pay, and for this, and other rea.
s1ns net Sc evident, is more popular with sea-
farng men in England than the service of The
Queen.
Among the various schemes spgges ted for
the increase of seamen in the British service
none contemplate that compulsory process by
which her ships in time Of war were once sun.
piled. Impressment, it appears, has been
abandoned as not only impracticabe but mex
pedient, under the altered circumstances OF the
times. 1t would also, it is believed, be ineffec-
tive to the great end, as, In the opinion of high
naval authorities, the improvements in gun
merry have effected a complete revolution in
naval warfare, and have rendered it absolutely
necessary that vessels should, In any future
war, be manned not by promiscuous collection
OF ntrained men. such a. impressment for
merly provided, but by seamen who are prac-
need gunners. 1t is, however, worthy of note
mat these improvements in gunnery have
rendered the marines a more useful and eff
Gent body OF men in a sea fight than they ever
were before, as they make excellent artillery
men, besides being capable of performing many
OF the deck duties Of a ship-of-war. 1t is also
TO be observed that the main reliance of ships
In action Is rather The quality than the guam
tity OF seamen. The great naval heroes of
England testify that they performed most of
their wonderful achievements with q handful
OF veteran seamen, and that the rest were
rather an incumbrance than an assistance
what Is strange is the fact that many of the
oest and bravest men in battle had been forced
lhlo the service by the press. galgs. which. we
are inclined to suspect in a case ~ auarrono,,
v.
would be resorted TO again without nnch
compunciion. II is hard TO understand vpba,a
In compulsory system of naval service &c
more unjust and oppressive than the eop..r,n.
tion system of military duty Even unda,
the militia laws of England and Of the Unitss
States, every able bodied man is compelled To
bear arms In the defence Of the State, and why
net make seamen available upon their own
element Z We appreheud that, if French feet
should appear In the British Channel and the
Channel Fleet should be short of hands. the
press. gang would solve the man problem
with the strong hand as /. did in 'sthe good
old tfmes."f
The abolition Of Jogging, which seems to
have been attended with good effects in the u.
$. Navy, would probably render the British
service more popular, and ii TO this were add
ed system Of promotion for merit from the
ranks Of seamen, parents would be more will
ing TO give their sons 10 the service Of the
country, and young men, of far superior
character To any now seen in IL, would be eager
10 pursue naval career.
Calamity never leayes US whers il finds us
A salf hAf kaffauk hardana hs has AZ ;,s