The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-13

and capture Of the enemy's privateers. Such
task was never before demanded Of any
government. To accomplish 1t the Depart.
ment was obliged to call largely on the mer.
camille marine.
II was soon found necessary to divide the
coast squadron into two divisions-one on
the Atlantic and the other in the Gulf. The
former was again sub-divided. on the occa'
sion Of Commodore Stringham's resignation
and the same would have been done with the
latter, but for the smallncss of the aeet.-
The Secretary speaks favsrably OF the oP'
crations on the Potomac, which was there
by kept open till the close Of October, when
navigation became dangerous" in conse'
quenco of the number Of the enemy's bat.
teries. The public is left in the dark as To
whether any attempt will be made to re-
move those distractions.
Tho report alludes to the subject Of block
aiding ports by sinking vessels, and states
that the "Stone expedition" has gone to
Charleston and Savannah. "This, IL efiec-
tually done, will prove the most economical
and gratifying method Of interdicting com.
merce."
The number of vessels seized by our naval
squadron, mostly in attempting tn run the
blockade, has been one hundred and fifty
three. The greater part have been condemn
ed after jurisdiction.
The event connected with tho coast expe-
ditions to Hatteras Inlet and Port Royal, are
recounted. The reason why the former was
not followed uf by securing q position on
the main land, arose from tho inadcquacy Of
the military force accompanying IL. The
The latter was expected to sail in September,
but various events prevented its departure
until late in October. The Secretary states
that the strong Martello Tower on Tybee Island
virtually commands Fort Pulaski, which
guards the entrance into Savannah. The
number and strength Of vessels for the Mis-
sissippi expedition nearly ready, arc for OBJ
yious reasons not stated.
On the subject Of privatecring the report
says II was to bc expected that "men who
had violated law and moral obligation to
crafty inordinatc ambition" would betake
themselves to piracy. The Secretary docs
not deal much in the language Of censure,
this being the only severe sentence in hsrcport
He evidently prefers "the logic of blow"
to that Of strong paragraph. As to the
escape of the Sumter, he remarks that "by
some fantality she was permitted topass the
Brooklyn. and after brief and feeble chase
by the latter. permitted to pass on her voy-
age" Although ga piratical ruver," he re-
grcts that she has been received and supplied
against the rcmonstrancc Of our consuls, by
public authorities in many foreign ports.
There is hearty endorsement Of the arrest
Of Mason and slidell by Capt. Wilkes, cou-
pied with an assertion Of the right to seize
tho steamer conveying them. "Il too gen.
crous forbcarance was exhibited by him in
not capturing the vessel,
II must not be regarded rs precedent.
On the 4th of March last, all the Govern
ment vessels available for service against the
rebels wcro only four in number. carrying
twenty-five guns. Our navy now consists Of
26i vessels of all sizes, carrying 1851 guns,
and having an aggregate tonnage Of 2lS,-
Ol6 tons. The number Of seamen now em-
ployed is 22,OC0. OF l36 vessels purchased,
We find tha; 10 are propelled by steam: all
the SO constructed or nearly finished, are
steam vessels. ....
The difficulty encountered in the purchas.
ing Of vessels must have been great. on ne
count Of the large number thrust upon the
department. The Secretary explains the
plan resortcd to for the purpose Of securing
the most serviccable ships at the most eco
nomicsl prices. The results. VIC think, speak
for themselves in the late expedition to Port
Royal, and the fact that not complaint Of
corruption has been publicly made against
the agent now employed in this important
duty.
In the navy yards, though eleven thou
sand mechanics have been steadily employed,
the government has been obliged to resort to
private yards, 80 urgent was the call for ves-
sells Of war. A passing allusion is lnado TO
the iron-clad vessels now building; and we
are assured that wisdom has been shown in
dealing with tho great difficulty Of combin.
ing wcighto Of armor withlightncss ofdrsugh.,
IL this has not been entirely overcome.
The rapid increase in our naval arm nat
urally calls for the establishment OF new
grades In the service. ThsSccretary, accord
inely recommend the organization OF not
more than seven squsdrous, each to be COM
manded by Gag officer. Al subordinase.'
commodores, captains, commanders sndl!ea'
tenants commanding. would command eaen
. single vessel, with other grades subordins-